For years, Dragon Age fans have been wishing to see their favorite RPGs remade for the contemporary console generation. Because we were imagining Origins with a contemporary facade, Dragon Age 2 with polished gameplay, or perhaps even just a cleaner version of Inquisition. For now, that will remain a pipe dream. BioWare has made it clear that there will be no remasters, and the reasoning goes beyond mere money.
As one who played Dragon Age: Origins when it was released, I can understand this frustration. It was a special game, with branching choices and consequences and moral dilemmas invested in complex characters. Today, while the magic is still there for me, I must admit that the graphics and mechanics feel a bit dated. A remaster could have reintroduced Origins to a whole new audience, but BioWare has made the decision not to go that way.
Reasons Dragon Age Remasters Are Not Happening
An honest explanation was given by Mark Darrah, a long-term developer at BioWare. The biggest hurdle, he stated, is the technical side of things. Mass Effect was easier to remaster because the trilogy was based on one game engine. It’s a different case with Dragon Age.
BioWare built Origins and Dragon Age 2 with one set of tools; however, by the time Inquisition was developed, it shifted to using the Frostbite engine. That disconnects the three games. So, remastering them would mean not just upgrading graphics, but also rewriting mechanics, rebuilding assets, and overhauling entire systems to fit under a single engine. In layman’s terms, it would come close to making a brand new game instead of polishing up an old one.
And it seems EA, the publisher, will not want to invest that much money and time into it. According to Darrah, EA has always been careful about remasters. Although Mass Effect Legendary Edition did exceptionally well, met with enthusiasm and praise, EA still keeps the remake and remaster at the end of their priority list.
Reasons Why Fans Wanted A Remaster
The fans’ reaction is clear. Many wanted to see at least Origins remade. The game is still regarded as the best in the series by a great many, me included. A modern-day version could go through its dark fantasy world, moral choices, and character-driven storytelling through brand-new lenses, in a way that would feel brand new.
Dragon Age 2, on the other hand, suffered from widespread complaints about having very restricted locations and being rather repetitive in design. This one wasn’t going to fix any of those. Some work in simple enhancement would have been enjoyed: minor tweaks, for example, adding different variations to the environments, while some balance with the combat would bring a major difference.
Then there is the Inquisition. While it looks quite nice, playing it today does have some shortcomings. I remember playing it again last year, and while I loved the big zones and party system, I found the menus clunky and the pacing uneven. A remaster could have fixed that smoothly with its updated systems.
Basically, each one could have done with some sharpening up, and put together, they could have given fans the same treatment as Mass Effect. But, for now, that has been ruled out.
Mass Effect Legendary Edition And Why Dragon Age Won’t Get The Same
This makes it all the more painful for Dragon Age fans: the juxtaposition with Mass Effect. The Mass Effect Legendary Edition reintroduced the trilogy in a shinier modern incarnation, cherished by the fans, but also sold extremely well, proving that there is demand for reinvigorated oldies.
So why not Dragon Age? The simplest answer is that the impediments are bigger on the technical side. In contrast to Mass Effect, where in one fell swoop all three titles are being examined, Dragon Age would require an overhaul across different engines. BioWare and EA did not feel it was worth the expense.
Darrah even stated that EA is not that interested in remasters as people are thinking. Mass Effect Legendary Edition was more of an exception instead of being a new benchmark.
What This Means For Future Dragon Age
If no remasters are to be done, what is BioWare putting its focus on? For now, Dragon Age: The Veilguard has all the attention. The new game has been publicly displayed, and reactions have been mixed. Some audiences love the new art style while others feel it’s straying away too far from the darker tone of Origins.
I personally remain hopeful. Although I wanted an Origins remaster, I want to see what direction BioWare will take with The Veilguard. This studio has always been known for story-rich RPGs, and I imagine they will try to blend that feeling of choice and consequence back into it.
In terms of classics, it appears that fans will just have to keep enjoying them as they are. Fortunately, modding has really helped keep Origins and DA2 relevant today, and the community is always developing fixes and updates. Not quite as good as a proper remaster, but it keeps the series’ spirit alive.
It feels sad that Dragon Age: Origins, Dragon Age 2, and Dragon Age: Inquisition will not see remakes, especially with Mass Effect going through treatment. Fans wished to enjoy the series in a refined manner, with some thinking it could even draw in new players to the Dragon Age world.
Well, BioWare and EA have taken their stand. The classics will remain as they are, uneven in some areas but unforgettable. Am I disappointed? Absolutely. But I have also come to realize that those original experiences have a lot of worth. Origins, for instance, still feels like one of the best RPGs I have ever played, even without the gloss of modernity.
For now, Dragon Age fans can only await The Veilguard and hope it captures what made the series special. As for the past, it will remain in our memories, as well as old discs, just as we experienced it. You may also be interested in: GTA VI Third Trailer, Pre Orders And Rockstar Reveal
