Dragon Age: Origins – Friends and Their Problems

A lot of people have focused on the overall story of Dragon Age: Origins and have pointed out how it managed to still adhere to the tropes of the computer role playing game and the BioWare way of creating it while making a world that feels vastly different from the one of Dungeons & Dragons. But one of the aspects of the game where developers seem to have poured a lot of love is the side quests that are connected to the companions you can have in your party.

All these people seem pretty one dimensional at first sight. Alistair is the goody two shoes who cannot take the lead in any situation and cannot counter the verbal assault coming from Morrigan, who is the evil witch that only stays with you to watch cruelty and destruction take over the world around her.

Zevran is the quintessential assassin, Leliana is the simple bard with ranged attacks, Oghren is a drunken dwarf, Shale a powerful human hating golem, Sten is a lackluster warrior who only cares about combat. But BioWare manages to introduce a specific quest for each of the companions that turn on their heads most of the above mentioned characterizations.

The most impressive for me has been the transformation and depth Leliana reveals as you talk to her and progress in her personal quest. The Andraste blessed bard reveals herself to be more of a cross between a super spy and a crafty storyteller. Her past is littered with failed romances, betrayals, complex politics in the land of Orleais and with a significant bard guru who now wants her dead.

The unidimensional nature of the character is quickly cast aside and the terror of being on the run is revealed, and the trauma that led her to Andraste and the Maker is shown. Similar experiences can be had for all characters, although some might prove tougher to open up than others.