The History of Dragon Age | Documentary

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NOTE: This is a compilation of our three-part video documentary series about Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition that aired in 2019.
When it comes to Western role-playing games, few video game developers are as renowned as Bioware. The Edmonton-based studio’s catalogue is as celebrated as it is influential, with almost all of its titles representing the peaks of their genres in the eras they debuted. Baldur’s Gate brought computer RPGs back in vogue with its sublime, high-fantasy gameplay. Neverwinter NightsKnights masterfully adapted its tenets into a multiplayer-centric experience. Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic saw the former games’ narrative finesse melded with the adventurism of the galaxy far, far away. And Mass Effect made all of this Bioware’s own - while taking it to the next level.
But being this renowned comes with a high heavy price. Today, gamers are well aware of the struggles the studio dealt with recently during the development of games like Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem. Yet the reality is that struggles like these have persisted throughout its entire history, with nearly every major production that Bioware has successfully completed representing a triumph in the face of massive adversity.
Dragon Age, Bioware’s much-beloved high-fantasy series, is perhaps most emblematic of this. While each of its mainline entries were made under vastly different circumstances from one another, they all suffered in their own, unique ways. Its third one’s design failed to fully come together until late in its production, and needed to be made in an incredibly unruly engine. Its second one’s development period was one of the most cramped its staff had ever experienced. And its first operated without a consistent team or set of tools for an immensely long - so much so, that many wondered if it was ever going to come out at all.
This is the history of Dragon Age: Origins.
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[@GVMERS]

Hey everyone! We hope you're already enjoying the new year! This is a compilation of our three-part video documentary series about Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age: Inquisition that aired in 2019. We'll be adding to this series as soon as Dreadwolf is out. Join us next week as we'll be returning to our regular content. :)

[@hieunguyenrileygekko]

would be nice if you guys do rise and fall of Killzone

[@brennanwn]

VERY IMPRESSIVE

[@bbastien55]

I don’t understand how this channel doesn’t have millions on subscribers

[@GummiSosa]

Happy new year! Keep the good work! GVMERS is hands down by far my favourite video game documentary channel. Simply great content!

[@elise3455]

Awesome! But perhaps wait a few months until after Dreadwolf to gauge long-term reactions and post-release content, as you did with Inquisition here? 😊

[@nameofcrispy]

No matter what happened during development of all three dragon age games, I was and am absolutely enthralled by its world. Every time I go back to Origins, DA2, and Inquisition I feel like I’m catching up with old friends. I cant wait for Dreadwolf and even if it’s a different team making it, I am rooting for them to make it as memorable as the previous installments.

[@Sticklemako]

Same

[@sorryyourenotawinner2506]

FACTS

[@ironicly__iconic]

Ikr. I love all of the games and hardly notice any of what "fans" apparently complain about 😅 I love the whole world and story. I have continued playing all of them for over 10 years now.

[@adeptdamage3669]

Origins was the only stand out.

[@MalarikFilms]

Exactly- I can't understand how someone would hate of all of em

[@alanbique]

I think Dragon Age Origins was the only RPG that I really cared about my actions and my companions. I spent hours just deciding if I should have a relationship with Morrigan or Liana hahah For me, that game is a masterpiece of the genre and one of the best games of PS3 era. ENCHANTMENT!

[@iloveyourunclebob]

DAO completely changed how I played video games. Now I overly empathize with characters and can't be evil lol

[@kjh4496]

It’s a shame the PS3 version ran like crap.

[@origintrackz5235]

@@iloveyourunclebob I hear you, im actually playing it now and every time i want to be a cunt i have a hard time doing so lol.

[@neonrelmsproductions4224]

Origins is my favorite RPG ever made. I love it so much.

[@Karlach_]

But Divinity Original Sin 2 tho broooo

[@TheLegendKiller94]

Same Here. Also Loved the First three books

[@neonrelmsproductions4224]

@@Karlach_ I haven't played that yet

[@Karlach_]

@@neonrelmsproductions4224 Do it, it's the best real RPG game ever made. Larian Studios wasn't fucking around when they created it, they went all in. It's a 10/10 masterpiece imo The only question is if the RPG they're working on right now, Baldur's Gate 3, can possibly top it...

[@killianocallaghan8656]

I prefer origins to divinity original sin 2, just think the over arching dark fantasy setting is better in origins​@@Karlach_

[@manuelacosta9463]

Dragon Age: Origins was one of the very last games I bought in late 2009, ironically I got it a whim and man was it fortuitous. Even with it's hiccups it's an experience for sure and I burned the midnight oil with it then and even now. It's a fine addition to any collection regardless.

[@kirishima638]

Same ha. It looked like just another generic RPG and I didn’t get around to playing it for months after which I cursed myself for not playing it sooner.

[@XBullitt16X]

Origins is still the best DA game and looking back on it, its aged extremely well and is still up there as one of the best RPGs ever, Its writing and storytelling still holds up very well and it does things that even modern games today can't match. Its one of my favourite games ever and has my one of favourite romance storyline's in an RPG too, Morrigan still holding a spot in my heart as one of my favourite female characters of all time. Overall It will always be in my top games list, its a fantastic game and a monument to how far Bioware has fallen since then.

[@finoderi]

> it does things that even modern games today can't match As if modern games are somehow better in general. They are trash.

[@alanbique]

I make your words mine!

[@SL4PSH0CK]

"dynamic writing".

[@XBullitt16X]

@@finoderi True, but I think that just further proves how good its writing and characters are. That it still holds up so well, even to the good games of the newer generations.

[@clanofshadows]

I can't agree with this enough. I've replayed it so many times and also I believe Origins has the best expansion ever made (Awakening). No other game competes when it comes to that dlc. It really is a shame how far they've fallen.

[@Texelion3Dprints]

Dragon Age was really... an enchantment ! Damnit I'm reintalling Origins again.

[@henriettawestcott9477]

Ha, I never Uninstalled it.

[@cthulhu888]

*Enchantment!* 🤩

[@54032Zepol]

Dragon age had some great stories and world to explore my favorite part was the dwarves and their underground cities, so huge and deep! If you chose the dwarf royalty origin you can redeem your name and be part of the royal family again if you chose your brother as king .

[@raphaelforkel7759]

It's my favorite too. Doing a casteless dwarf run right now (my first). I forgot how much I loved Ohgrin. It's funny how all of Orzammar struggles accepting me as a Grey Warden when all they see is the brand. Was planning to help Behlin since he kinda holds my whore sister hostage, but I just can't stomach this ass.

[@aluurchin2]

Those personal stories were removed from inquisition.

[@MrSpartan993]

Dude the dwarven remnants were so cool to see in the fist game it was great!

[@Jorvaskrr]

That's what she said.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

Well, technically no. Because the Warden IS precisely that...a Warden, they leave their old lives behind, the Dwarf Warden has no attachment to the royal family. You can also see this with Alistair (tho in the opposite way), if he becomes King, despite having tainted blood, he is out of the Order for completely.

[@BLitzRunner77]

Honestly, DA2 is a wonderful accomplishment given the constraints.

[@cpolonium1121]

Dragon Age Origins, one of my favorite (if not favorite) games of all time.

[@surlyedi]

I don't think anything can compare to BioWare's 1-2 punch of Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins, showing they could make brilliant games on the opposite ends of the fiction spectrum (sci-fi and high fantasy). It's a shame that they've cast such a large shadow for themselves since general consensus seems to be diminishing returns for their games as of late... But I'll always have love for the Mass Effect Trilogy and DA:O for their characters and immersive storytelling.

[@SPG8989]

Oh it can easily be beat, even within Bioware itself with its 1-2-3-4-5-6 KO of Baulder's Gate, MDK2, BG2, Neverwinter Nights, Knights of the Old Republic, and then Jade Empire.

[@lxdead5585]

well, to be honest DAO is not a "high fantasy", not at all. It's more of a dark fantasy. It has some Lord of the Ring tropes (main plot), but when it comes to how the world is build, society and all that stuff it's all Song of Ice and Fire. New team with DA2 actually made this world into high fantasy thing and it only became more clear in DA:I. Imho Origins were more mature and dark in comparison to rest of the instalments and that's why it was so much better, each choice was important and had it repercussions.

[@shadyseeker9080]

My favorite game series, I play it atleast once a year…it’s literally probably the only game I’ve returned to this much! Dragon Age Inquisition is the game that got me into the series and I’ve been loving it ever since! Can’t wait to see what they do with Dreadwolf and wishing Bioware success!

[@karandullet380]

Same here

[@KaworuNagisa]

I was one of the people who stopped playing origins because of the difficulty spikes. But DA2 gave me so many hours of fun and Inquisition totally drew me in. Looking back I feel so much fondness for Inquisition. I loved coming back from missions and talking to everyone to see what had changed in the meantime. The excitement when a new area opened up and I was able to explore another completely different region. Also the moment when I realized that my team had become strong enough to defeat the dragons... I just felt so proud of us. The story, the relationships, the way to enhance weapons and armour, the fighting system, it all felt perfect to me. // I also don't feel too sure about the connection drawn to The Witcher III - both are very cool and fun games in their own regard, but they also feel very different from each other. I never really thought to compare them, just enjoyed the fun time I had with both games.

[@bdbgh]

Honestly DA:O is one of the best journey adventure story in a game I've played, from the mystery of the deep roads to the amazing smorgasboard of companions and interactions. I was pretty dissapointed that subsequent games wasn't about the adventure to fight off the darkspawns, doesn't help that the writing for the story and characters are way shallower after origins.

[@Anxiou5Panda]

Dragon Age: Origins is the game that truly made me fall in love with RPG. I hope to see a remaster of the game in the future.

[@MaxiGoethling]

Dragon Age has some of the best Fantasy lore ever, it's so interesting and unique and just gets better with each game and additional content like books and comics!

[@mrmoviemanic1]

Thedas is just one of the most immersive fantasy worlds I've seen. A lot of other fantasy worlds while great always tend to feel like they've either been done before or are trying too hard to go against conventions. Thedas just implores are a great element of both.

[@Armaan8014]

Even though I didnt like the newer titles, I totally love the world and lore that theyve created over the 3 games. It's very unique. The ending in Tresspasser DLC set it up very well too.

[@MaxiGoethling]

@@Armaan8014 It took me a few tries to love the other two games, but once DAI clicked with me not long ago it became my favorite in the series. Trespasser was just so damn good! 😫

[@adeptdamage3669]

NOt really Dragon Age peaked with Origins.

[@00Mike55]

I highly doubt we'll ever see another game like Dragon Age Origins, the story, the characters, the environments and the amount of content is something unheard of these days, and the funny thing about the DLC and maps to this game is that they were packed with actual content, not just a massive checklist to complete in a single open world map like some of Inquisition was. The hope is that Bioware actually nails Dreadwolf, and I hope they do, but their record lately has been disappointing to say the least.

[@AnarickTheDevil]

None of the people that made DAO great are there anymore.

[@mandu6665]

The Witcher 3 already surpassed Origins by a gigantic margin.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

@@mandu6665 . I disagree

[@TheLWebb100]

​​@@mandu6665 The Witcher 3 is great but once I got to Skellige that game dragged.

[@origintrackz5235]

@@mandu6665 The Witcher series is great, but its hard to compare the two they do completely different things imo... DAO is in the vein of old school RPGS!

[@Darth0Prince]

It's depressing to think about, but the last Bioware game that I liked was DAI, and it was... 9 years ago now, jesus christ. Even that had its own huge problems, but at least I can say I actually liked the writing mostly.

[@MrSpartan993]

BioWare has almost not of its original staff and it’s owned and run by EA anyway. The only “original” thing left of BioWare is the name and nothing else.

[@adeptdamage3669]

Mass Effect 2 was their last great game.

[@SeventhheavenDK]

And I didn't like Inquisition so much, so imagine my case.

[@khankorpofficial]

That's still not great, since Inquisition was terrible Which means the decline is much worse

[@terrabull1431]

I remember in 2009 seeing dragon age origins on the shelf at my local Walmart and not knowing anything about the game I still wanted to buy it so bad but I wasn't able to afford it because I was 10. Cut to later that night my older brother bought the game and I watched him play it and I then also played it and I've been hooked on the series ever since. For some reason this franchise has resonated with me like nothing else and honestly played a role in making me the person I am today.

[@kylep007]

If I could pick any pair of games to get a complete remake; it would be the first two Dragon Age games.

[@alfthai]

Please consider the Homeworld series for a future documentary. As the third game is releasing in upcoming months, this is a good time to revisit the somewhat accidental creation of a cult hit that had a difficult time escaping that reputation in subsequent releases. Recently cited as one of the greats by GRR Martin in a late night interview, it deserves a greater place in the cultural zeitgeist and should be recognized as more integral to gaming history as a series that was vastly ahead of its time in terms of exemplary story telling and sound design.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Ooh, now that's a great topic of a series.

[@creatorsfreedom6734]

space rocks and Dirt

[@Largentina.]

I personally think it would more interesting for them to cover the franchise after the third game releases. I don't know, I just feel like the video would feel incomplete once that game came out. I agree that the IP is a great subject for this channel to cover though.

[@raphaelforkel7759]

Oh hell yes, how topical! Playing through the trilogy right now, I forgot how amazing Dragon Age 1 is.

[@hoapham7389]

mass effect series will forever be in my heart. I hope for the best for bioware team.

[@thebigenchilada678]

Everyone in bioware has been replaced

[@razgriz821]

Its not the same bioware. I wish the original members the best, not this neo bioware.

[@SkyTied]

Really hope that BioWare can make a comeback someday and somehow. Imagine a really good modern BioWare game, wow.

[@theunhingedgamer3762]

as long as they're owned by EA it won't happen and given most of the original devs left the company it's not going to happen at all

[@SkyTied]

@@theunhingedgamer3762 You can always hope, however

[@AhmadWahelsa]

@@theunhingedgamer3762 Who knows, after all the only ones that does this kind of RPGs that involves characters, world building, and companions is only CDPR and BioWare. Every RPG i have tried or played while they are enjoyable, never hit me like their games, it's always come down as "save the world" type RPGs, but if anything i still hated Andromeda for the lackluster story, and Inquisition for the insane amount of fetch quests, so if anything i hope the best for DA: Dreadwolf and Mass Effect 4

[@Leckaine]

They won't. It's clear from their last 3 non-remaster games that they've gone down the shitter. Plus most of the og staff left for another company or straight up stopped working on games. Anthem, which is kinda self explanatory. Mass Effect: Andromeda, which was a bad joke both from a coding perspective because EA made them change the engine halfway through creation and from a writing perspective. And of course Dragon Age: Inquisition, which could be at best considered a mediocre game. And from a gameplay perspective was literally MMO tier which is an insult to any kind of roleplaying games. And the writing was Marvel to american sitcom tier which I would describe as "Rotting piece of meat in high summer lying on the hot asphalt surrounded by flies and covered with maggots eminating that certain rotting meat smell." So yeah, good luck with that "goood modern BioWare game".

[@charmingpeasant9834]

They've kept hiring terrible writers who act like clowns on Twitter, so curb your expectations.

[@svanimir666]

i actuali like DA2 more than DA3..but origins is the king..one of best RPGs ever made

[@reili5098]

thank you for the video guys! Dragon Age has been one of my favorite franchise for a long time and im glad you guys made an informative video about DA.

[@Gangerworld]

Happy New Year Mr GVMER and the GVMERS! Thanks for covering the series that got me into Western CRPGS. I hope for many more awesome documentaries this year from you!

[@legion162]

I played some of the dragon age games on the 360, didn't get the dlc or anything, but from what I can remember I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[@Frostyshard]

I love inquisition, i still pick it up periodically, just finished my most recent play through

[@mrmoviemanic1]

Same it's such a long game that it's actually held me through the long development of Dreadwolf for nearly a decade.

[@isabellp.5730]

me too!

[@abyss9316]

Few things invoke Nostalgia like BioWare and their incredible catalog of late 90s to the early 2010s were unparalleled for BioWare creating some of the best RPG Video Game World ever put the code from Baldur's Gate Jade Empire to Mass Effect BioWare truly is one of the greatest video game companies of yesteryear

[@abyss9316]

@@saintboot8410 that game was awesome unrivaled and it's Unique traditional Chinese setting I wish BioWare and other game companies would take chances and make different games like they used to back in the day those were the days

[@ridesq]

DA:O was a masterpiece. The sense of dread, doom, and despair was palpable. The darkspawn weren’t just “orcs” but a steadily growing existential threat with the power to warp you into abominations.* The demons were monstrous enough to be scary and human enough to be scarier(I’m looking at you, desire demon). The ogre battle at the Tower of Ishal is horrifying the first few times you see it. Morrigan is my favorite fictional character by several miles. *I mean abominations in its traditional meaning, not what it means in DA.

[@brunofama3171]

This is the best video game documentary I've seen in a long, long time. By far.

[@JKCWvids]

a common theme for videos on this amazing channel. 1. studio makes a great passion project loved by all. 2. EA or Activision comes in, and promptly takes a greedy crap on the floor. 3. destroys IP via said greedy crap.

[@danteshollowedgrounds]

I have never played it before but I can see the passion and love behind the game people have for it.

[@reskiwijaya7374]

it is indeed a game which you can feel the dev's passion behind it

[@michaelandreipalon359]

I can easily recommend Origins+Awakening. The sequels are your call though.

[@MrSpartan993]

@@michaelandreipalon359 same

[@iloveyourunclebob]

He's not kidding about inspired by the works of GRRM and Tolkien. So if you enjoy their works, I do suggest the series.

[@1363Max]

One of the most underrated youtube channels.

[@oneandonlyJonnySad]

I replayed Origins when the fps boost hit. Still one of my all time fav games. I love Morrigan.

[@uros.u.novakovic]

Dragon Age Origins is, to me, one of the best games ever made. I still replay it from time to time to this very day. Granted I use around 30 QOL/bug fixes mods on every playthrough and I can't possibly imagine playing the game vanilla ever again.

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Relatable. Awakenings sure has a lot of bugs that really needed fixing. Seriously, BioWare, please do focus on bugfixes more often.

[@Skumtomten1]

It is my favorite game of all time. I loved vanilla but yea, there are some really nice mod fixes for bugs and annoying features such as visual and sound effects from sustainable spells/talents that I can't stand. I also use some mods that makes combat more challanging which is really fun since I have played the game so much and know all vanilla encounters by memory.

[@DrownedInExile]

RE: DA2. I refused to get this for many years. When I finally tried it, I was surprised by how much I actually enjoyed the faster-paced combat system, compared to Origins. But the other criticisms are on-point, plus I had the benefit of extensive mods to improve the look of the game.

[@VideoGamesAndTheWorld]

Happy New Year! Thanks for another History of episode

[@TheRavenShadowsWolf]

0:52 - You forgot to mention Jade Empire. I mean I know it wasn't as popular, but it is one of their absolute hits to those of us who bought it. I still consider it a crime it didn't get to be a series; and I'm still waiting for a sequel. I know, it'll be a while... LMFAO! - where other titles featured more fanciful and light hearted societies = they show Fable. First thing in the story is your village gets burned to the ground, you get almost murdered, your parents for all you know actually DO get murdered and your sister gets both maimed and kidnapped. Man, thank you for the chuckle. I needed it. xD (Really the entire fable series only SEEMS light-hearted. Any of the intros to those games are properly grim and very dark)

[@TheRavenShadowsWolf]

Rather than edit the original post all to hell and back - I'm going to put in a few points as to why I prefer Origins over 2 and frankly think Inquisition should never have been designed "open world" like an MMO. In one, you had a functional (yes simplistic) gift based relationship system [Which was actively HELPFUL if you chose the wrong dialogue options or actually wanted to disagree in debate with their world views] You also had actually engaging characters. Morrigan was about the only actual correct way to ever do a Tsundere character. Because she did melt. She did have moments where as cold and calculated as she was, she still obviously grew to care for the MC. She had viable, relatable reasons for her beliefs that she clearly explained. If you took the time to hear her out. For me the worst characters were Wynne's "I'm NOT dead - yet, I got better!" and Lelliana being effectively Joan of Arc. * Also, where else was I gonna be able to actually play with my dog? (At least I didn't have to watch him get shot >.

[@BackAlleyKnifeFighter]

Here's to another year of more amazing content from y'all!

[@Makoto03]

Thank you so much for covering Dragon Age!! I love the series. Even Dragon Age 2 had fun moments for me (enjoyed the combat). And i love Inquisition. I really hope Bioware does a remaster of Dragon Age Origins like they did the Mass Effect Trilogy. That first game is special and i'd love to replay it again remastered.

[@AcslayerX]

I agree.. And have hoped for a few yrs that they remake origins.. But a remake not remaster

[@michaelandreipalon359]

A remake would have too many changes. A remaster is already fine enough, especially with bugfixes and QoL improvements.

[@Adamhak221]

Wow I'm acually playing the first one for the first time right now and the game's great

[@mrmoviemanic1]

As much as Origins remains the favorite. I feel Dragon Age 2 had one of the best and most unique stories in gaming and I feel Inquisition is one of the most in-depth games that showcases it's own created lore. Overall I love all 3 games and truly do believe Dreadwolf is in good hands despite all the setbacks, it seems to be Bioware's next epic.

[@jamdoodles]

my only gripes about DA2 was how the city didn't evolve very much. It was apparent to me they had a very-constrained development timeline, but I judge each DA game on its own merits & not on what came before, & through that lens I felt DA2 was a pretty good game overall. It was just very different in style & gameplay from Origin & that's fine. It's a different game.

[@ssm5513]

I choose to enjoy the da franchise for what it is instead of hating it for what it’s not. These games got me into gaming and they’ll always have a place in my heart.

[@1Three8Fiver]

I ruddy love GVMERS content, I get excited for each new video like I did as a teen waiting for the next magazine I wanted to land at the newsagents. However it's hilarious how authoritatively the word TOXIC was used to describe fans only to then literally explain how the fans were right to be concerned over Biowares offerings since their EA aquisition. Outlining each of the issues in detail. Happy New Year to you all and can't wait for 2023's content.

[@1Three8Fiver]

Can't see the reply...

[@bradtorville5526]

I absolutely LOATHE cinematic trailers.

[@Nazylexx]

GVMERS is one of best KZbin channels by far. I love your work guys. Keep going on and provide us with such a great content. I've played so much Dragon Origins back in 2012 that skills/spells icons are burned into my memory to this day

[@megadeath098ajb]

Inquisition just had this magic to it the i cant find in any RPGs, its cohesiveness, the colorful characters and their intimacies, the setting and the plot, it just felt perfect

[@SalusFuturistics]

The Release and Fall and Fall and Fall of Dragon Age

[@RenStrive]

Can't wait for "The Fall of Dragon Age"

[@stanleystaklight7555]

Thank for lasting this long ,your content is always inspiring and informative Never underestimate your value Happy new year Gvmer thank you🙏

[@eji]

27:04 THIS was my biggest gripe with DA2. Never before had I played a game with dungeons that were re-used so blatantly. You'd literally fight in the same dungeon layout again and again, the only difference being that some doors would be locked off in this version, but other ones locked in that version. It made every quest that had a dungeon component feel like a slog.

[@HaIfaxa]

This is the video I've been waiting for from y'all ☺️

[@riosiscold9865]

Dragon Age: Origins is by far one of the best games I’ve ever played. I remember my dad getting it for the PS3, I was enthralled by it but he wouldn’t let me play it, then 3 years ago I finally managed to play it myself on my PC and it’s an experience I’ll never forget.

[@princegroove]

New year; new fascinating episodes from GVMERS. 👍🏻

[@jamesabernethy7896]

I would have watched this at the time but probably don't comment as much as I could. I follow several content creators who cover gaming, some from a story perspective, comedy, deep analysis or like you from a very documentary-like technique. Your videos are always compact yet informative, also so consistent in style and quality. Good luck for 2023.

[@JayBaddAssCutler]

Such a good channel

[@kenshigo3833]

Best gaming documentaries out there! You should be on streaming services.

[@SL4PSH0CK]

I'm glad I played between Dragon Age, ME2, and FONV back 2014, was my only title other than Company of Heroes. They were titles that exposed me to dynamic writing, which is rare nowadays unless it's a crpg.

[@MrSpartan993]

The new writers these days seem typically to be shit

[@DrGaslight187]

The friendship and rivalry system in DA2 was the single greatest mechanic to come out of that game imo. It gave me so much freedom to interact with the characters so that I wasn’t just kissing their asses. I was mad af that they dropped it in DAI. I would’ve loved the DA2 system for a character like Sera. I disliked her and I wish I didn’t have to kiss her ass to get her to stay because she was great in combat.

[@theskyling]

I'm really hoping rivalry will return for DA4 because not having it in DAI just made the game feel empty to me. There's so many of the companions I would have vastly preferred to rival, instead I basically just ignored them which is severely uninteresting.

[@DrGaslight187]

@@theskyling I agree, that’s why I’ve always said DA2 had the best cast because of they ways you interacted with them. Coming up with a healthy respect for characters is way better than kissing their asses.

[@lozzimusprime]

It's so eerie you chose to cover Dragon Age bc recently I've returned to playing the DA trilogy for the umpteenth time! As much as I adore the Mass Effect series and despite playing ME first, I've always been a fantasy fangirl. So Dragon Age was an instant hit for me. Own it PS3, PS4, XBox 360, Xbox One and PC. And hope to own a PS5 for the next installation. I'll always defend this series, it got me through some bad times with love and humour. And I've also made some incredible friends who love the series just as much as me.

[@TheBrokenEclipse]

Amazing video detailing the development of all DA games

[@corvendata]

great video as always!

[@kman9884]

DAII is a fine game. It improves all gameplay mechanics from DA:O (minus the lack of a tactical cam) by getting away from the CRPG “clunk”. The size and repeating dungeons certainly are a knock on its status as a “good” game, but I think the development of the companions and central struggle between the Chantry, Templars, and Circle mages is so incredibly strong it makes up for its limited setting. I remember hating Origins because I played it on console and the CRPG elements were so infuriating I set the difficulty to easy to experience the story. Until recently (last week, to be exact) I haven’t played it on PC and it was a drastic change in experience due to the tactical camera. Origins always had the best storytelling, but its core gameplay was its largest fault. DAII improved on everything, mechanically, and created a more streamlined experience in story and gameplay. The series as a whole is a mixed bag, but Dragon Age fans can appreciate the consistent tone and handling of the lore across every game with incremental quality of life adjustments to gameplay.

[@narutofan123472]

The fact that you didn't mention Dragon Age Keep is criminal! Otherwise a great video!

[@surgicalglitch3265]

The Frostbite engine from what I understand was like pushing a car uphill with no tires when it came to working outside what it was originally intended for. Most of the time you can effectively refactor engines in some way to get the desired outcome. Like the studios that refactor engines like CryEngine, Prometheus, Source etc. But I heard that the Frostbite engine was remarkably hard to work with.

[@jameshenderson4876]

Excellent video. Thank you very much.

[@MishraArtificer]

Not sure if it was intentional, but your last line gave me flashbacks to the Mass Effect: Andromeda trailer...

[@Abyssiondubs]

By far one my my most treasured memories.. thank you for this! Happy new year 🙌

[@agrashh]

Dragon Age Origins was Bioware at its peak imo. Such an amazing game for its time. Even after finishing the story and playing through every Origin story, I remember being impressed on how your decisions / viewpoints of certain characters could change alot by choosing your origin character. Especially on the Dwarven side of the story and the election of a new king. ^^ I also liked Dragon Age 2 for its personal story, even though it was dumbed down alot.

[@tehrealBANE]

Last time I was this early, the Princess was in another castle.

[@TheShoocks]

Happy new year guys!

[@leonardoholanda2250]

O vídeo que eu estava esperando! 👏👏👏

[@RLJSlick]

Well done, one of my favorite games of all time!

[@lizknives]

I got into rpgs pretty late (around late 2017, early 2018) and it’s safe to say Origins launched my love for medieval dark fantasy games so it’ll always hold a special place in my heart. a remaster for the trilogy seems pretty unlikely and that’s okay, so long as it’s still around

[@definer0]

I still remember seeing trailers for the original DA on Discovery Channel, but I never played them until ten years after

[@Av-vd3wk]

Let’s do this!!!! 🐉

[@thegreatpoo2electricboogal318]

Most underrated gaming channel on youtube!!

[@kolbyhoward]

I'm about to start playing this series. I've heard great things.

[@MrSpartan993]

Honestly? The first one is amazing, 2nd is ok, 3rd is disappointing. :/

[@Dr.Yakub22]

Just play the first the series gets worse by each game

[@kman9884]

Play them all. If you like the lore and the world, you’ll like every game. The fair weather fans have their heads in where the sun doesn’t shine.

[@kolbyhoward]

@@kman9884 yeah the fan base is kind of more divided than i thought

[@Skumtomten1]

The first game is Bioware's own game, the other two are EA telling Bioware what to do and putting a strict deadline on it. The results are as one might expect.

[@dahkteromar749]

33:37 RIP Marauder Shields. We will never forget your sacrifice.

[@cloudleohart]

I bought this coming back from Afghanistan when we landed on an Air Force base. Their PX was Ike a regular base stateside so I almost lost my shit seeing they had everything. I saw the Bioware logo at the bottom and that made me look at the back. I remember seeing "From the studio that brought you Mass Effect" and that's when I had to have it. I best it the first weekend of post deployment leave. It became my 2nd favorite game of all time

[@Sticklemako]

Honestly I liked all three games and would definitely play the fourth

[@tolok377]

That was a very very enjoyable, dramatic and well-paced documentary indeed! I So subscribe for more stuff like this! 🎉

[@ogpyroraging]

Hell yes, Happy New Year!

[@m0ngreltv]

GVMERS does not disappoint.

[@Kikianna741]

Great quality as usual

[@carmalone91]

Dragon age origins...my favorite game of all time. Video made me remember the great memories i ve had playing the game :)

[@WhyTestify1]

Origins will always be the best, simplification is the problem with modern gaming

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Agreed. Simplification sure didn't make me enjoy the likes of Star Wars: Squadrons compared to TIE Fighter and X-Wing Alliance, lore sanitization aside.

[@walkerthewastelander964]

I played Inquisition for the first time this year. I have never played any Bioware game prior. I know it's not the most beloved Dragon Age but I was in love and am hooked now.

[@jorgeegrojjorge]

This channel is gold!

[@wildfire5838]

I am brand new to the series! Just now playing through origins and I am so excited to get to the rest of the series. I already love the world and the characters.

[@leespiderpod]

I’d recommend reading the prequel books by the same game writer David Gaider. Start with Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne

[@ravipeiris4388]

Great storytelling, thank you

[@christopheryoung2874]

Great video!

[@secondghost]

We don't deserve this content this good.

[@focabox5594]

In terms of immersion, Dragon Age trumps Baldurs Gate and Neverwinter Nights, but in every other aspect it is worse. Neverwinter Nights and Baldurs Gate have TONS of abilities and spells, as well as great co-op play, whilst Dragon Age falls short in these aspects

[@Evilshtt353]

I love whenever this guy drops a new video. Always awesome to learn the history of games throughout the years.

[@theskyling]

Dragon Age 2 is a severely underrated classic. I'll always be sad that the production was so crunched, even just 1 more year would have brought it from good to amazing.

[@Drebolaskan]

DA2 was the start of my jaded view on modern gaming, my first real heartbreak. I thought those gaming industry giants would be incapable of failing that hard and that they were surely too big to fail. Boy, that aged terribly in hindsight

[@fullmetalpoitato5190]

A flawed game to be sure, but one I still hold close to my heart. I still think back fondly about most of the companions (except Anders, Fuck Anders) vs Inquisition. I like a lot of the companions in Inquisition but.....I don't really care about any of them except for Varric and whoever I'm romancing.

[@Armaan8014]

@@Drebolaskan Same