Summary
While BioWare has its eyes on its future withMass Effect 4andDragon Age: Dreadwolf, Mass Effect: Legendary Editionhas proved how it important its past is. Perhaps coming as a surprise is just how important its past withBaldur’s Gate 1andBaldur’s Gate 2is now with the recent release andhigh reviews ofBaldur’s Gate 3. Indeed, many would consider theBaldur’s Gate/Mass Effecttrilogy/Dragon Age: Origins-era of BioWare as what crowned it as a leading fantasy RPG developer, and the success ofMass Effect: Legendary Editionshows how much its past still has to give.
Well before theMass Effect: Legendary Edition, and certainly after, some fans have called on BioWare to give the remake treatment toDragon Age: Origins. That’s certainly an intriguing, if hard endeavor. Many would argue that the rustic nature ofDragon Age: Originsis what gives it its charm, which is fair enough, but others would see its current graphics and gameplay as a repellant. Especially withDragon Age: Dreadwolfon the horizon, aDragon Age: Originsremake has a ton of potential to bolster BioWare’s current reputation, andBaldur’s Gate 3is the perfect blueprint for it.
RELATED:When to Expect More Dragon Age: Dreadwolf News
Dragon Age: Origins - Legendary Edition
Ideally, BioWare could expandDragon Age: Originsperiod of Ferelden with more quests and a transition to DnD 5E rules (at least in regard to D20 rolls, things like Advantage), but that would likely be expecting far too much. However,Baldur’s Gate 3’s use of camping, rests, and so forth could make great additions to a properDragon Age: Originsremake’s gameplay. Restricting abilities and whatnot in this way could make returning to camp and interacting with companions much more natural. In addition to that, it wouldn’t be that much of a stretch to adjustromance inDragon Age: Originsto work more akin toBaldur’s Gate 3, as while it works fine enough, just showering companions in gifts for romance scenes is not as fun.
The biggest and perhaps best change would be movingDragon Age: Originsto a proper turn-based gameplay stylewith the boundless area approach. WhileDragon Agehas featured tactical pauses, modes, and whatnot, most of the gameplay in the first one is just letting players act while proccing abilities. For some, it can come across as too railroaded outside the tactical mode, but adopting a full turn-based approach into the remake would retain all of the character but add even more strategy. Especially if things like Dash and Shove were incorporated. Graphics could be brought up toBaldur’s Gate 3quality too, but gameplay is where aBG3-inspiredDragon Age: Originsremake could shine.
Baldur’s Gate 3 Could Be a Guiding Light for Future BioWare Games
Of course, the chances of this happening are super slim, and no matter how well done it was, some would not be happy with such major changes toDragon Age: Origins. It would be a balancing act, that’s for sure. However, even in this is another potential lesson. Rumors indicate thatDragon Age: Dreadwolfis aGod of War-inspired action RPG, and while that has been scrutinized in theory, it’s worth noting that the gameplay ofDragon Agehas never been consistent. The next game after it could easily adopt a turn-based DnD 5e approach, and no one would bat an eye.
Another possible option would be for BioWare (and EA) to pursue aDungeons and Dragonsproperty for another IP. After all, Baldur’s Gate and the Forgotten Realms are just one possible avenue for a tabletop based game. AfterAnthem, it’s been clear that BioWare is largely focused on its current IP (Mass EffectandDragon Age), but there’s always an argument for new IP. It’s riskier than those household names, but if BioWare was going to risk another IP, using theDungeons and Dragonsbrand name would definitely help cement it.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolfis in development.
MORE:Why Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Companions Will Be Its Most Important Feature
