psychic_dream wrote: ↑
June 27th, 2025, 21:18
Sell me on Origins. What makes it so good?
Was it the tactical combat, the writing, or both? Because unlike other big modern releases, Veilguard seems to have disappointed users here the most, even though some say the series was already going downhill since DAII or Inquisition.
Has anyone here played DA2 or Inquisition at launch? Were you disappointed with how they turned out? Which one was the worst offender to you?
Per Origins, it's a solid RPG, albeit an early prototype in many ways in terms of the worldbuilding and art design. They were still trying to figure out what they wanted Dragon Age to be. Given the pathway the series eventually took, it's safe to say they still couldn't figure out what they wanted it to be. I'm gonna focus more on the writing side, as that's my autistic niche, which hopefully should avoid repeating others talking points.
The writing overall is fairly good, with comedic timing that doesn't make you cringe (some outliers) and generally just likable characters that aren't mary sues with world ending pasts catching up to them. Leliana, while being a "bisexual", is a repentant young lady who is ashamed of her past and of being manipulated by an evil lesbian bard. I keep repeating myself on this point but it's incredibly ******* rare to see a character in RPGs seeking redemption and submitting to a higher authority to atone. The greater irony is that a woman wrote all of the Chantry lore and many of its verses, and that woman was fired during the development of Veilguard, a game where the Maker ceases to exist. Very curious.
In my opinion, it was the last attempt Bioware made at being more objective instead of outright preaching globohomo talking points. Mass Effect was their primary ideological outlet at the time. There's some progressive moments, naturally, but nothing that greatly offends me in the way it does in later titles. One of the main themes of the game is the justifications you can choose to embrace as befitting a Grey Warden, and the boundaries that should or should not exist for someone in your position. Wynne posits that relationships can pollute your sense of duty, that attachments breed indecision during a time where such could condemn an entire nation. Eventually, she will relent that it may also provide a reason to do said duty, but that the danger of that indecision will always exist, yet it's not her place to dictate your own actions. It's this line of entirely optional dialogue chains that displays the level of maturity in the writing and puzzles me as to how someone could write this and then go on to embrace dogshit DEI writing in later titles. It's a shame.
Sten remains one of my favourites. A true foreigner in every respect, he has no intentions of integrating nor learning, simply doing his duty and going back home. He challenges the player constantly. His whole progression is the development of respect and nothing more. This may seem odd given the writer of Sten is a woman (aforementioned lady who wrote the chantry verses), but it makes sense. Some older women, commonly married and possessing decent fathers, understand what masculinity is and their desiring of it. The fact they canned this lady later on is fairly evident the ******** did not see eye to eye with her more traditional view of men and religion.
Lastly, my boy Alistair. I'd argue he has the most significant progression beyond even the player, but it's not handled overtly or dramatically. Inevitably, Alistair must embrace his lineage, his duty as a Grey Warden, or the rejection of both. He must also learn to steel himself against those who would seek to use him, and mature into a proper man. And it's not done at any point to mock him or suggest he shouldn't embrace these things. For many young men playing media, this depiction of growing up, becoming a man, and learning to find purposes in life is integral. It's why I believe Origins is one of the best games Bioware put out. If we're going to analyse media and mock it for its attempts to destroy masculinity, we should equally point out media that doesn't. Course, Zevran exists, and remains one of the most glaring ideological elements in the entire game. Just kill him, he deserves it.
I didn't intend to make this a character breakdown, oh well. As I said, this is my niche. Hopefully these insights distracted people from the Moloch loving ****** game Veilguard for a brief moment.
