The Fate of Thedas Hangs in the Balance: Unveiling the Epic Journey of Dragon Age's Dreadwolf

Highlights

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf has been in development for nearly a decade and will likely follow events from the previous game's ending, focusing heavily on the character Solas.

Solas, a character of great intricacy with an enigmatic background, possesses the ability to be a polarizing central adversary owing to his attitude and past involvement in the series.

Anticipations for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf among fans are elevated, encompassing not only the evolution of Solas' character but also the possibility of unforeseen turns and perils within the game.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, a game that has been in development for almost ten years, is expected to continue the storyline from its predecessor. The conclusion of Dragon Age: Inquisition left room for a sequel while still providing a satisfying ending in itself. However, the success of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf seems to heavily depend on the portrayal of a particular character introduced in the previous game's ending.

The Dragon Age franchise, known for its compelling characters, has gained a dedicated fanbase who eagerly anticipate more from their favorite personalities. While some characters in the series have received widespread acclaim, others have been met with mixed reactions. Solas, a character central to Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, falls somewhere in this ambiguous spectrum.

Solas and His Role In the Endings of Dragon Age: Inquisition

Solas, an elf mage, was introduced early on in Dragon Age: Inquisition. He had the ability to enter the Fade and communicate with spirits and demons. This skill made him a crucial ally in the Inquisitor's fight against Corypheus, who aimed to tear holes in the Fade and unleash demons into the world. However, it is later revealed that Solas is not who he seems to be. In the end, he leaves the organization and has a conversation with Flemeth, where he discloses his true identity as Dread Wolf Fen'Harel, a god-like figure in Thedas. Solas seemingly kills Flemeth and absorbs her power.

The Trespasser DLC in Dragon Age: Inquisition expands on this conclusion. It delves into the history of the Dread Wolf and his significant role in separating the Fade from the material realm. Towards the end of the DLC, Solas unveils his plan to remove this division and restore the world to its previous state, as it was during his youth. The implication is that this action will bring about immense chaos, death, and destruction. This ending establishes Solas as the primary antagonist of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, presenting both potential advantages and disadvantages for the game.

Why Solas Might be a Controversial Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Antagonist

The Dragon Age franchise boasts a variety of memorable and lackluster antagonists. For instance, the Archdemon in the first game can be easily summarized as a commanding dragon with orc stand-ins. In Dragon Age 2, Meredith Stannard emerges as an entertaining villain in the game's final act, but her role throughout the rest of the game is lacking. Often, it is the secondary antagonists like Flemeth or the Arishok that leave a lasting impression. Solas, on the other hand, has the potential to be a lackluster main antagonist for certain players due to his previous appearances.

While some consider Solas one of the best heroes turned villains, others might find his presence in the game somewhat frustrating. His demeanor is that of an arrogant intellectual with a monotone persona, making it challenging for some to like or sympathize with him, although this may not apply to everyone. This raises questions about BioWare's decision to heavily rely on the character for the new game, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, considering the divisive reception he has among fans.

The future of Solas in the upcoming game by BioWare remains uncertain. In a teaser for Dragon Age: Dreadwolf released in 2020, it was confirmed that Solas would be making a return, leading many fans to anticipate him as the primary antagonist. However, there is a possibility that the developers may surprise players by introducing an even greater threat. With such anticipation from both fans who admire and those who dislike Solas, the upcoming game carries significant expectations. Currently, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is being developed.