Dragon Age Originswas released on Jul 24, 2025. Described as a spiritual successor toBaldur’s GateandBaldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn, it was BioWare’s first venture into the world of its own, original fantasy IP. TheDragon Ageseries has changed significantly in the fifteen years sinceDragon Age Origins’release in 2009, with each installment showing significant changes in the art style and combat system of the game in particular.
EachDragon Agegame features a different protagonist, a significant contrast toMass Effect. This change in protagonist for each game givesDragon Agea revolving door of experiences with Thedas' class systems, cultures, and historical events, but also gives the series space to radically change from one game to the next in terms of mechanics and art style, all while giving anew perspective onDragon Age’s established lore. What one character achieved in one game is viewed as history by the protagonist of the sequel, givingDragon Agea breadth that stands out among BioWare’s RPGs.
Dragon Age is BioWare’s Series Most Defined By Change
What isarguably one ofDragon Age’s greatest strengthsis, ironically, what draws much of the criticism towards it. With each subsequent release of a newDragon Agegame, comparisons are inevitably drawn to its immediate predecessor and, typically,Dragon Age Origins, which is viewed by some as the baseline that the series should continue to strive towards. Much like Thedas, though,Dragon Ageneeds to look ahead in order to improve.
WhileDragon Age Originshas many qualities that are admirable, such as the playable origin stories, schools of magic, and variety of outcomes and roleplaying potential, the chances that theDragon Agefranchise will ever return certain characteristics ofDragon Age Originsis incredibly low.BioWare’s choices fromDragon Agesequel to sequelhas taken the series away from the fundamentals ofDragon Age Origins, such as the move away from a silent protagonist to one that is voiced. Similarly, the combat has changed from a slow and methodical top-down tactics system to something faster.
Dragon Age Origins is a Product of Brilliance in its Time
These decisions, in isolation, don’t move the series too far from its origins, but as a whole it allows for the evolution and growth of the franchise. Some players yearn for a return toDragon Age Origins, butDragon Age: The Veilguardis the product of improving upon its predecessor, rather thanDragon Age Origins. With arguably thebest combat system in a BioWare game, and the streamlining and refinement of many ofDragon Age’s systems,Dragon Agehas appeared to have finally nailed down what works for the franchise withDragon Age: The Veilguard.
Any futureDragon Agegames will likely include changes in the art style that signal a dramatic departure fromDragon Age: The Veilguard. It’s just what the series does, and expecting otherwise will only lead to disappointment. For those who wantDragon Ageto remain the same and never move beyond its status quo, there isDragon Age Origins. As unyielding as the Warden,Dragon Age Originshas all the features thatmany players love aboutDragon Age: the intricate lore, the compelling characters, the storytelling that is breathtaking in its finest moments. While its sequels shape and refine its rough edges,Originsremains as a testament to where these ideas began.
WHERE TO PLAY
From the makers of Mass Effect comes the dark fantasy epic: You are a Grey Warden, one of the last of a legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind’s ancient foe and the kingdom engulfed in civil war, you have been chosen by fate to unite the shattered lands and slay the archdemon once and for all.(1) Immerse yourself in a shattered world on the brink of annihilation;(2) Experience complex moral decisions that have game-changing consequences;(3) Sculpt your hero in your own image or fantasy;(4) Engage in bone-crushing, visceral combat against massive and terrifying creatures.
