Dragon Age 4 Should End The Series

Dragon Age 4 is on track for a 2023 release date, but looking after that game, it may be best for BioWare to wrap the series up. Many details surrounding Dragon Age 4 are still relatively unknown, but reports suggest the restarted project could finally be nearing completion. Dragon Age: Inquisition released nearly eight years ago, and the fourth installment has already restarted development multiple times. While BioWare has steadily released concept art and updates on the product, fans have yet to see any gameplay trailers for Dragon Age 4 (or Mass Effect 4).

Dragon Age 4 has suffered serious delays after BioWare diverted staff to develop Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda. The game restarted development several times reportedly after EA and BioWare teams battled with different visions and priorities within the company. The game takes place in the Tevinter Imperium, though the player character’s identity is unknown. However, the only Dragon Age 4 story trailer revealed that players would confront Solas, also known as Fen’Harel, the ancient elven god. If BioWare cannot conclude the storyline in Dragon Age 4, there’s a genuine threat that players won’t see the plotline’s conclusion.

It’s always disappointing when a game series is cut short following a company’s disbandment, and not all companies are as lucky as the formerly shut down Walking Dead developer Telltale Games, which LCG Entertainment bought out and then revived. Those who’ve kept up with gaming news in the past few years are likely aware of BioWare’s failures with Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda and EA’s purchase of the RPG company. Additionally, the Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic remake isn’t being made by BioWare, but instead Aspyr Media, despite being the company’s original creation. These signs may not bode well for the company’s future, and though there is every chance future installments of Dragon Age or Mass Effect could be good, it’s also possible they could further hasten BioWare’s decline.

Dragon Age Should End While It’s Still Good

Dragon Age: Origins is an RPG that gave BioWare a much-needed boost, becoming the go-to fantasy RPG comparison for many years. Players experienced unique origin missions and could make many long-lasting choices, unlocking one of several endings. While it’s unlikely for Dragon Age: Origins to receive a remaster, it represents the pinnacle of Dragon Age games. Dragon Age 2 received significant criticism for its limited areas and more linear storylines, a considerable departure from its predecessor. While choices from the first game carried over, DA2 restricted the story’s outcomes despite the many choices awarded to players along the way.

Thankfully, Dragon Age: Inquisition returned to the franchise’s roots and allowed players to roam throughout several massive areas freely. Its expansions explored new territories and answered some long-standing lore the series had neglected. If Dragon Age 4 becomes the main series’ last game, it should end the franchise on a high note rather than become a warning to other developers with fantasy RPG series.

Dragon Age 4 finally explores the Tevinter Imperium, a long-awaited addition to the Dragon Age franchise integral in many characters’ backstories. For example, Fenris, a romance option from Dragon Age 2, is formerly a slave that resided in Tevinter. Dorian, another romance option from Dragon Age: Inquisition, hails from the same homeland but enjoys a privileged life. Each experienced significant personal trauma, which opened the opportunity for Dragon Age 4 to explore these avenues in a unique, meaningful way. Additionally, after Dragon Age: Inquisition’s Trespasser expansion revealed Solas to be Fen’harel (the Dread Wolf), Dragon Age 4 must also resolve his plot to tear down the Veil and return the world to its former state.

Dragon Age fans likely won’t appreciate waiting several more years for this story to conclude, meaning Dragon Age 4‘s Tevinter adventure needs to finish its story in the base game or possible expansions. Drawing out an important story to create more games will only ruin DA4’s pacing and overall quality. Therefore, BioWare should focus on resolving this story and explore other, unique avenues somewhere down the road.

BioWare Shouldn’t End Dragon Age 4 On A Cliffhanger

BioWare’s leading franchises are Dragon Age and Mass Effect, but their recent failures may threaten the studio’s position within EA. Mass Effect: Legendary Edition marks BioWare’s last significant success in the AAA gaming industry, with Anthem’s live service development being cut short and Star Wars: The Old Republic’s latest Legacy of the Sith expansion suffering severe criticism. EA has an unfortunate reputation of shutting down studios, and BioWare could fall into a similar trap. For example, Visceral Games developed the horror-focused Dead Space games but was moved to support Battlefield with Battlefield Hardline. After Battlefield Hardline flopped – and its Star Wars game from Amy Hennig was canceled – EA disbanded Visceral Games. Since BioWare isn’t developing the KOTOR remake, if Dragon Age 4 fails, EA could delegate the studio to create an unfitting IP that results in its downfall. However, if BioWare develops a satisfying conclusion to the existing storylines, the company could give the franchise room to grow in new directions with renewed confidence from fans.

Dragon Age 4 Could End The Core Series, Not The DA Franchise

Ending the core Dragon Age series with Dragon Age 4 could give BioWare more freedom to work on other Dragon Age spin-off games in the future. Many established characters received significant popularity throughout their in-game appearances. Since Dragon Age games have mainly progressed linearly (except for Dragon Age 2’s time skips throughout the game), Dragon Age 4 will likely propel the series into another future era. Ending the franchise with a fourth game could conclude the passage of time and allow BioWare to explore new periods. For example, Solas’ identity as the Dread Wolf could open the opportunity for BioWare to develop prequels or RPGs with a static character like The Witcher.

There are many eras that BioWare could explore and many legends that players haven’t received the full explanation for. Additionally, Dragon Age has mainly restricted itself to the RPG format, and while the franchise needs to continue giving players control, other mechanics could change to attract new players. Unfortunately, these concepts are theoretical while fans wait for BioWare to complete Dragon Age 4.

While BioWare’s future with EA is questionable given its recent record, expectations for the upcoming Dragon Age game are likely relatively high. Though the project restarted development several times, it’s been almost a decade since fans of the franchise have received any new content. The decision to gear Dragon Age 4 toward a single-player, story-oriented game may give it a better chance of recapturing the studio’s former glory, but the wait is still worrying. If Dragon Age 4 fails to wrap up the mainline games, it’s possible fans could go another decade without another DA title or risk having the series suffer a premature death without a satisfying conclusion.

About The Author

Natalie Lindner
(499 Articles Published)

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Natalie Lindner is a Game Features Writer for Screen Rant, creating content on the past, present, and future of games in the industry. Prior to this, she worked out of a writing consultancy in Rhode Island from 2018 to 2021, where she helped college students improve their writing abilities. Natalie has contributed her video game writing to several smaller websites and projects since 2018 and is eager to continue that journey with Screen Rant.

Working out of New Hampshire, Natalie spends the time she isn’t writing about games outside; hiking or biking. On those rainy days, she can be found striving for action on the latest FPS or perusing the latest comic books.

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