INTRODUCTION:
Bioware has become practically synonymous with DLC expansions. Since 2010, all but one of their games has received at least one post-release expansion; Mass Effect: Andromeda is the lone exception, with its planned DLC canceled in favor of a company-wide focus on Anthem. (Yes, I agree that was a bad trade... though, given the dumpster fire that was reportedly Anthem's development, likely a necessary one.)
This DLC has taken many forms, from extra companions to major story expansions. All of these are in evidence in Dragon Age: Origins. Since all DLC packs were included in the Ultimate Edition, here's a quick rundown of all of the story-based DLC...
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| Sarcastic Golem Shale arrives to squish enemies. And pigeons. Particularly pigeons. |
THE STONE PRISONER
Release Date: Nov. 3, 2009
One of two pieces of "Day One DLC," The Stone Prisoner grants players access to an additional companion: Shale, a Golem with a prickly disposition and a sardonic sense of humor. The DLC offers two brief levels: a small village and a confined bit of the underground Deep Roads, both complete with the requisite Darkspawn and demons to vanquish. Aside from the combat, you're offered a rather aggravating puzzle and an entirely black & white moral choice ("Do I let a demon possess a young girl? Decisions, decisions...").
That said, the point of the DLC is the integration of Shale into the game, and the golem is well worth the download. His banter is some of the most amusing in the game, and Shale's presence greatly elevates one of the main story missions as well. Also, just as a combat unit, it must be said that his "Quake" ability (stunning enemies in a fairly decent radius) is extremely useful.
WARDEN'S KEEP:
Release Date: Nov. 3, 2009
The other Day One DLC, this is a straightforward exploration of the old Warden's Keep, left abandoned and haunted after a past tyrant expelled the Grey Wardens from Ferelden. It only adds about an hour of gameplay, though there is some decent background lore to be had.
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| Coming face-to-face with the corpse of King Cailan. |
RETURN TO OSTAGAR:
Release Date: Jan. 13, 2010
The most substantial piece of in-game DLC, Return to Ostagar is best played late in the game, as a moment of reflection between the Landsmeet and the final battle. You and your companions return to the site of the death of King Cailan - also the site of Loghain's betrayal of the Grey Wardens. Plenty of Darkspawn fights, but the highlight is simply exploring the ruins of what had been the first stop on your journey. Make sure to include Wynn and whichever Grey Warden is in your party at that point. As characters who knew the major parties involved and who were present at the battle, they have some excellent commentary.
THE DARKSPAWN CHRONICLES:
Release Date: May 18, 2010
An alternate reality DLC. The premise is that your Warden died during "The Joining" ceremony at the start of the game. It's really just an excuse to play The Battle of Denerim from the Darkspawn POV, making it an all-combat add-on. Since the combat was my least favorite aspect of the main game, and since this is explicitly non-canonical, I rank it as easily the most expendable expansion, though it still has some amusement value.
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| A young Leliana, on the eve of her mentor's betrayal... |
LELIANA'S SONG
Release Date: July 6, 2010
My personal favorite of this batch, Leliana's Song presents the tale of the bard's betrayal by her mentor/lover, Marjolaine. The first half is fun and sprightly, backed by a jaunty score as Leliana perpetrates mischief on an unsuspecting Denerim at Marjolaine's behest. The second half takes a darker turn, and the music becomes more action-oriented as Leliana seeks her revenge. The tale does not entirely line up with the account Leliana gave in Origins - but it's still a fun story that's well-told, and discrepancies are easily accounted for in that both versions are clearly Leliana relating the tale, one that she outright says changes with each telling.
THE GOLEMS OF AMGARRAK
Release Date: Aug. 10, 2010
Balance being what it is, my favorite Origins DLC is followed by my least favorite. Golems delivers a paper-thin story about rescuing a Dwarf's brother from an ill-fated Deep Roads expedition. So yes, the whole thing takes place in the Deep Roads, arguably the least visually interesting setting of the game. The focus is on combat. Unbalanced combat, as you are denied the use of a mage. If your character happens to be a mage, it's no harder than the other add-ons. Otherwise, with healing limited to whatever health poultices you happen to be carrying, it quickly becomes an exercise in frustration. When you aren't fighting, you'll be running back and forth to flip switches, which is just as interesting as it sounds. I'll allow that the final boss is suitably gruesome, but this is one bit of Dragon Age that I'm unlikely to revisit.
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| Morrigan finds an ancient Elven mirror... and sets up a sequel or two. |
WITCH HUNT
Release Date: Sept. 7, 2010
The final piece of DLC has your Warden searching for Morrigan, whom you quickly learn is attempting to find and use an Eluvian, a dangerous yet powerful Elven relic. With help from a Dalish elf and a bookish mage, you track Morrigan from the swamps to the Ferelden Circle of Magi, from the Deep Roads to a dragon graveyard. With multiple settings and likable companions, this is briskly-paced and highly enjoyable. The ending reveals few answers, however, acting more as a sequel tease than anything... Though the sequel it's teasing turns out not to be Dragon Age II, but instead Dragon Age: Inquisition...
OVERALL:
These DLC packs are, for the most part, nice additions to an already-robust game. Since it's now a near-certainty that new players will purchase The Ultimate Edition, as it's easier to find than the original bare-bones version of Origins, I can think of no reason not to include these with your playthrough of the main game.
Previous: Dragon Age Origins - The Awakening
Next: Dragon Age II
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