When Dragon Age: Origins first launched back in 2009, it was both the start of something and the end of something.
On the one hand, alongside Mass Effect it helped to make the genre bigger and more exciting than ever, in the process laying down a template for cinematic, big budget RPGs that's still enormously influential today.
But also, in the time since, it has felt like the last swan song of a certain traditional style of RPG in the blockbuster realm—one interested in top-down, tactical, real-time-with-pause combat, random encounters, and intricate character building across an entire party of characters.
That friction has given it a special place in the PC gaming canon—and in lots of fan's hearts. Appropriately, it's a symbol of two different ages of RPGs, and remembered fondly by fans of both.
In many ways, the series has subsequently struggled to live up to that legacy, always attempting to evoke the magic of that first game, but also to move its formula and its world forward with the times. It seems to have a fresh identity crisis with each entry, changing how it looks and feels dramatically each time.
But despite that, each game in the series has had its own moments that have resonated and stayed with fans through the years—and, more importantly, its own beloved characters, cherished like few others in the world of videogames. Companions such as Morrigan, Varric, Iron Bull, and many more stand as elder statesmen of the RPG world, benchmarks for design, writing, and performance across the industry. And you could fill a thousand galleries with the fanart…
So this week, as the series turns 15, and in the wake of a controversial new sequel, we're looking back on the whole history of the series—its highs, its lows, and the things that we love here on the team. Check back over the course of the week, as I'll be adding to the list each day with more and more nostalgic ruminating on quests long completed.
A tribute to Morrigan
What made a humble swamp witch with a bad attitude stick in the hearts and minds of so many RPG fans? Rob Jones has the answers.
Ranking the Origins
Every origin in Dragon Age: Origins, ranked
"Origins" wasn't just a meaningless subtitle, it was a whole new approach to introducing your character to the world. But which of the game's playable intros was the best, and which best forgotten? Jody weighs in.
An ode to the Hinterlands
Inquisition's starting area was much maligned, with "Get out of the Hinterlands" fast becoming the community's catchphrase. But was it unfairly judged? And should we look back on it now with a bit more appreciation? See if Ted's defence convinces you.
The changing face of Dragon Age
The series has always had something of a rolling identity crisis, changing its style, tone, looks, and systems with each entry. Fraser takes us on a journey through its mercurial history, up to latest entry The Veilguard.
Our Dragon Age reviews
It can't hurt to include a little self-reflection in our anniversary celebration, can it? Robin looks back at our own history with the series, through the lens of our reviews of each entry. Do we stand by our verdicts? And what do they have to tell us about the trajectory of Dragon Age today?
Dragon Age 2's forgotten DLC
Dragon Age has a strange habit of dropping its biggest lore bombs in overlooked DLCs, from Awakening to Trespasser. Legacy might be the most ignored of them all, but Ted's here to explain not only why it's crucial to the series' history, but also how it offers a glimpse into a better version of Dragon Age 2.
Skip the Fade?
Across the whole of Origins' epic quest, nothing drew as much ire from players as one dreamlike hour in the Fade. But was it a rare blunder, or a fascinating experiment? Ted is here to defend the indefensible.
Best Origins mods
The best Dragon Age: Origins mods
Origins is well worth replaying, but some elements of it have definitely aged better than others. Given that there's no remaster on the way, mods are your only option for tweaking and modernising the experience. Check out Jody's comprehensive guide to the best ones to download.
Queerness and Dragon Age
The Veilguard's progressive politics have become a hot topic of debate, but Dragon Age has always explored gender and sexuality in its storylines. Harvey looks back at the queer representation in Origins, and its unlikely link to the CIA.
The best companions
The six best Dragon Age companions ever
Across its 15 year history, the Dragon Age series has blessed us with some of the most loved characters in videogame history. But which stand above the rest? The team has whittled the list down to our favourite six.
