Summary
In a time characterized by several hugely successful single-player RPGs, Bioware’s upcomingDragon Age: Dreadwolfstill has no release date in sight. The fourth entry in the original fantasy series that the developer started back in 2009,Dragon Age: Dreadwolfis set to continue after the cliffhanger ending ofDragon Age: Inquisitionnearly a decade ago. Facing a troubled development across the most controversial years of its studio’s history,Dreadwolfis expected to represent both the state of its franchise and Bioware as a whole. With a story already centered around a unique scenario, the status of the game’s player character may beDreadwolf’s most hopeful quality.
A legendary developer in the RPG genre for many gamers, Bioware is responsible for prolific single-player experiences fromBaldur’s GatetoMass Effect. Recent years haven’t been as prosperous though, as the live service titleAnthemis remembered as a major blunder of the industry. With theofficial statement of Bioware’s restructuring, however, making the nextDragon Agea true and unique RPG experience seems to be a top priority. In a genre based around player choice, the concept ofDreadwolf’s protagonist could be a major sign of the title’s direction as a whole.
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The Foreshadowing of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Ending
All theDragon Agetitlesexist within the same world, but their plots have never been quite as connected asDreadwolfis to its predecessor. Taking place after the events of Inquisition that saw party member Solas revealed to be the elven god of betrayal or rebellion Fen’Harel, the Dread Wolf, all along and therefore the overarching antagonist of the franchise,Dreadwolfis expected to focus on the conflict against the titular ancient elf. A cunning god of trickery, Solas manipulated the events ofInquisitionas part of his plan that now sees him attempting to destroy the world by uniting it with the Fade once again. The Inquisitor may have been poised to lead the fight against Solas, but something else was hinted at even back then.
WhenSolas’ betrayalwas revealed, it came along with the knowledge that he had been utilizing spies within the Inquisition to keep track of his greater plan. A disheartening realization of the Dread Wolf’s true influence, it becomes apparent that his internal understanding of the Inquisition and its members made the group unfit for handling this new foe. In the game’s epilogue, however, Leliana emphasizes this point before the Inquisitor states that they will find people Solas doesn’t know, hinting at new blood being a major part of the next game.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf’s Protagonist is Unexpected by Design
The ending sequence ofInquisitionimplied that a new player character would have to be sought out, but the marketing for the game over the years has all but confirmed it. In a 2020 trailer, Varric narrated that the game’s new hero would not be bound by a prophecy or contrivance like the Anchor, being someone “they will never see coming”. If this protagonist is truly set to be so ambiguous,Dreadwolfcould feature the most customization of the franchise in terms of the player’s background history. Evoking the differing beginnings that madeDragon Age: Originsso memorable, the next game could highlight player choice in a similarly unprecedented way.
In the time between releases,Dragon Agefans have had plenty of time to reflect on what the next game could be. With a protagonist set to be notable for their unassuming nature,Dreadwolfhas the potential to hone in on the merits of the average Thedasian that were captured by Hawke in the often criticizedDragon Age 2. In the modern landscape where titles likeBaldur’s Gate 3andElden Ringhave succeeded through a more open-ended approach, a hero that is far from set in stone could be just what the nextDragon Ageneeds to thrive.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolfis in development.
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