Dragon Age 2 was a welcome evolution of what made Dragon Age: Origins so great. It had better pacing, a loveable cast, an interesting protagonist, a new art style, and even the combat saw improvements. At a recent EA event, I got to go hands-on with the upcoming DLC expansion, Dragon Age 2: Legacy. For my first impression, boldly read on, young adventurer.

As much as Dragon Age 2 did bring improvements, one couldn't help but notice some glaring flaws. Primary among those flaws was the lack of locations. Players constantly bouncing between the same handful of areas in what was a fairly long game quickly resulted in them growing sick and tired of those locales. With that in mind, it's great to hear that Legacy brings with it new environments, including a Grey Warden prison where an ancient evil has been locked up for some time.

Though the idea of an “ancient evil” might seem a tad cliché, the Dragon Age team always brings its best to the court when it comes to writing. We can also expect to learn about Hawke's father this time around, something that remained veiled in secrecy until now. This reflects on the more character-centric narrative that Dragon Age games generally tell, which are just part of what separates them from Mass Effect.

As for when the story takes place, the idea is that it's a tale Varric, who frames the game's narrative, didn't want to tell. He claims it's not believable. This does a great job of leaving it open to being told whenever the player is ready to tackle it. Of course, with some of the rewards it gives, players may choose to do it sooner, rather than later.

About the Author

Skyler Bunderson

Skyler Bunderson has been covering video games for roughly two years. He started Gamepad Dojo as a source for long-form reviews with humor, and has also contributed to the feminist game site The Border House. When he isn't playing games or writing about them, he spends his spare time designing his own titles.