So many people told me to skip Dragon Age 2 when I got into this series, and I’m? Absolutely floored by that.
The way the companions are introduced? The COMPANIONS themselves? The beautiful, unending tragedy of Hawke in this atrocious city, mixed with some brilliant banters and poignant monologues?
Like I cannot believe they got away with this game in 2011. Everyone is bisexual and it actually changes dialogue and acknowledges the queerness of it all. Aveline finds love and remarries after her husband dies (not for money or power or security but because she loves this man!!). Anders is literally a conservative’s greatest fear: a queer, demon possessed civil rights activist. The game feels entirely different depending on whether Bethany or Carver survive Lothering. Hawke becomes a nobleman in Kirkwall and their entire manor is run by two dwarves, a dog, and an elven girl.
And the companions and their relationships feel so alive and full, even when Hawke isn’t present. Varric pays off crime bosses to leave Merril alone as she wanders around Darktown. Aveline hosts holiday parties and is incredibly sad that Isabela didn’t come. They all play Wicked Grace at the Hanged Man and Fenris is awful, but Anders is worse. Aveline makes sure the guards don’t bother Fenris in High Town, and steers Templars away from Anders’s clinic. They don’t always agree, they bicker and fight with one another, but they are Friends.
Oh, you wanna know about the gameplay? I don’t play Dragon Age for gameplay, I got nothing. Something something spiders and reused maps but that just means I always know where to go.
I’m here for found family (and romance)
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