The Unprecedented Evolution of Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's Protagonist Sets a New Standard
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf's protagonist promises to revolutionize the game by introducing a completely unexpected and unique player character, setting itself apart from previous installments Prepare for a thrilling adventure like never before
Highlights
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is facing a troubled development, but fans are still excited for the game and have been pondering what type of protagonist could feature.
The protagonist in Dreadwolf will play a crucial role in determining the game's direction, considering that player choice is a significant element of the RPG genre.
Dreadwolf has the potential to provide a protagonist that can be extensively customized, possessing a humble demeanor. This has the ability to highlight the strengths of ordinary individuals in Thedas and cater to contemporary gaming preferences.
Despite the abundance of successful single-player RPGs, the release date for Bioware's highly anticipated Dragon Age: Dreadwolf remains unknown. Serving as the fourth installment in the original fantasy series that began in 2009 with Dragon Age: Origins, Dreadwolf will pick up where the cliffhanger ending of Dragon Age: Inquisition left off almost a decade ago. The game has faced obstacles and challenges during its development, coinciding with the controversial years in Bioware's history. As a result, Dreadwolf is expected to reflect both the state of the franchise and Bioware as a whole. One of its most promising aspects revolves around the unique scenario surrounding the player character.
Bioware is renowned among gamers as a legendary developer in the RPG genre, having created memorable single-player experiences like Baldur's Gate and Mass Effect. However, the recent years have not been as prosperous, with the ill-fated live service game Anthem serving as a notable misstep for the studio. In light of Bioware's official statement regarding restructuring, the focus on creating a truly distinctive and immersive RPG experience for the next Dragon Age game appears to be a top priority. As player choice is a fundamental aspect of the genre, the design and characteristics of Dreadwolf's protagonist could serve as a significant indicator of the game's overall direction.
The Foreshadowing of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Ending
All Dragon Age titles exist in the same world, but the plots have never been as connected as Dreadwolf is to its predecessor. After the events of Inquisition, where it was revealed that the party member Solas is the elven god Fen'Harel, the antagonist of the franchise, Dreadwolf focuses on the conflict against this ancient elf. Solas, a cunning god of trickery, manipulated events in Inquisition as part of his plan to unite the world with the Fade and ultimately destroy it. Although the Inquisitor was poised to lead the fight against Solas, it was hinted that something else would be necessary.
When Solas' betrayal was revealed, it became known that he had been using spies within the Inquisition to track his plan. Realizing the true extent of the Dread Wolf's influence, it was clear that the Inquisition and its members were ill-equipped to handle this new threat. In the game's epilogue, Leliana emphasizes this point before the Inquisitor suggests finding people Solas doesn't know, hinting that new blood will play a major role in the next game.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Protagonist is Unexpected by Design
The conclusion of Inquisition hinted at the need to find a new player character, and the game's marketing has essentially confirmed it. A 2020 trailer, narrated by Varric, revealed that the new hero would not be restricted by prophecy or contrivances like the Anchor. Instead, they would be someone unexpected. If this protagonist truly remains ambiguous, Dreadwolf could offer unparalleled customization options in terms of the player's background history. Similar to the diverse origins in Dragon Age: Origins, the upcoming game could emphasize player choice in an unprecedented manner.
During the gap between releases, Dragon Age enthusiasts have had ample time to speculate on what the next installment might entail. With a protagonist distinguished by their unassuming nature, Dreadwolf has the potential to explore the strengths of the ordinary Thedasian, reminiscent of Hawke in the often criticized Dragon Age 2. In a gaming landscape where titles like Baldur's Gate 3 and Elden Ring have found success through open-ended approaches, a malleable hero could be the key to the next Dragon Age's prosperity.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is in development.
