When discussing games that embody the spirit of epic fantasy, Dragon Age stands as what I consider one of the best examples. Bioware’s series, beginning with Dragon Age: Origins in 2009, captured the sweeping grandeur of low fantasy while grounding its story in gritty realism and political nuance. It masterfully balanced classic fantasy tropes. Heroic quests, ancient evils, and mythic creatures blended with the intricate dynamics of kingdom politics, war, and personal agency.
Dragon Age: Origins series embraced both sides of high fantasy conventions. Fighting darkspawn, demons, and dragons while delving into the political strife that divides kingdoms like Ferelden and Orlais. The Grey Wardens, ancient protectors sworn to fight the darkspawn, serve as a focal point of this tension. The backdrop of Origins is not merely the Blight, a catastrophic invasion of monstrous darkspawn. Additionally a civil war threatens Ferelden from within. These dual conflicts lend the series a unique complexity, as players must navigate both battlefield heroics and political intrigue.
It’s impossible to overlook the literary inspirations that influenced Dragon Age. The series bears the unmistakable marks of A Song of Ice and Fire by George R.R. Martin. Like Martin’s novels, which were later adapted into the Game of Thrones television series, Dragon Age doesn’t shy away from morally grey characters, shifting alliances, and the murky ethics of leadership during wartime. In Ferelden, leaders such as Loghain Mac Tir embody this complexity. His controversial actions to preserve his nation’s independence blur the line between villain and patriot.
In addition, Dragon Age owes a significant debt to Dungeons & Dragons. As with many RPGs, Bioware built upon the legacy of tabletop role-playing games, borrowing from their deep lore and mechanics. Dungeons & Dragons set the gold standard for collaborative storytelling and detailed fantasy worlds. The influence is clear in everything from branching dialogue trees to its meticulous codex entries cataloging history, religions, and culture.
The game acts as a high point of worldbuilding in the realm of gaming. When Dragon Age: Origins debuted, it felt like the culmination of an era. It came at the tail end of the 1990s and early 2000s PC CRPG boom. This was a time when games like Baldur’s Gate and Planescape: Torment drew heavily from fantasy novels or even adapted them outright. Bioware itself had been instrumental in that era, with Baldur’s Gate bringing the Forgotten Realms to life.
It’s interesting, then, to see how Baldur’s Gate III has sparked a resurgence of this kind of vast, narrative-rich worldbuilding. Set within the official Dungeons & Dragons universe, Baldur’s Gate III feels like a natural successor to those earlier games. Yet, some have referred to it as the spiritual successor to Dragon Age. On one hand, this makes sense—the games share sprawling narratives, tactical combat, and a focus on player choice. On the other hand, it’s a somewhat redundant comparison, given that Dragon Age borrowed and improved upon the same narrative traditions and mechanics as Baldur’s Gate III.
However, This resurgence gives me hope that we might see more games with the kind of expansive worldbuilding that Dragon Age perfected. The series didn’t just stop at the games—it extended its universe into novels and comics. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, for instance, is a standout example of how supplemental material can enrich the main narrative. The novel explores the early reign of King Maric and the rebellion against Orlais. Events that are only mentioned in the games but carry immense weight in the series’ lore.
What makes this so satisfying is how self-contained these stories feel. The Stolen Throne works as a standalone fantasy novel, even for readers unfamiliar with the games. This kind of depth in worldbuilding is rare and harks back to the interconnected nature of epic fantasy universes. One where every story, no matter how small, feels meaningful within the larger tapestry.
Of course other games feature tie-ins, but many lack the same sense of cohesion. Plenty of modern franchises have books or comics. However, these can often feel like marketing tools rather than integral parts of the lore.
It’s worth noting that other games today are celebrated for their intricate lore and worldbuilding. FromSoftware’s Dark Souls series is perhaps the best-known example, with its cryptic storytelling and layered mythology. However, the nature of Dark Souls’ storytelling is fundamentally different. Its narratives are primarily told through environmental design, item descriptions, and subtle hints, leaving much of the story to interpretation.
While this approach has its merits, it doesn’t replicate the experience of Dragon Age’s epic, interconnected fantasy world. There’s something unique about a series that tells its stories so overtly. Players engage directly with the politics, history, and personal drama of its characters.
Ultimately, what makes Dragon Age special is its ability to create a vast, living world that feels both intimate and epic. The series captures the sweeping scope of epic fantasy while allowing players to shape its narrative through their choices. It’s not quite the same as losing yourself in a multi-volume book series, but it’s an experience all its own. One that transcends the screen and spills into other mediums.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, I hope we see more worlds like Thedas. One where every character, codex entry, and side quest contributes to the sense of something larger than ourselves. Whether it’s through novels, games, or entirely new formats, there’s something magical about these epic worlds that keep us coming back for more.
Published: Nov 30, 2024 03:00 pm