Dragon Age 2: Everything You Need to Know About BioWare’s Brooding Schema Reborn

Ready to return to Thedas and dive back into a world wrought with political intrigue, moral dilemmas, and legendary dragons? Get ready for Dragon Age 2, BioWare’s critically acclaimed sequel to the 2011 masterpiece, now celebrated as one of the RPG genre’s defining titles.

What is Dragon Age 2?

Understanding the Context

Dragon Age 2 is an action RPG developed by BioWare and released in November 2017. Positioned as a spiritual successor to the original Dragon Age (2009), this installment expands on its predecessor’s deep lore, branching narratives, and morality system while delivering striking new visuals and combat mechanics. Designed as part of the Crosspace DLCs ecosystem, the game preserves strong single-player storytelling while maintaining community engagement through partnership-curated DLCs and expansions.

The Return of Thedas

Set nearly 50 years after the events of the first game, Dragon Age 2 immerses players in the fractured nations of Thedas. You play as Cassidy, a morally complex warrior grappling with a fragmented identity and a kingdom teetering on civil war. The world is rich with history: ancient Apparito, political machinations in Dragons Dawn, and looming threats from both political unrest and supernatural forces.

Core Gameplay Features

Key Insights

  • Dynamic Combat System: Experience refined real-time combat with multiple attack types, field of battle positioning, and an array of magic, ranged, and unarmed strikes. Use mystic veils, spirit armor, and customizable skill trees to tailor your gameplay.

  • Moral Choices and Consequences: Like its predecessor, Dragon Age 2 offers a robust morality system that shapes character relationships, faction allegiances, and the fate of entire cities. Your decisions carry weight, influencing endings and unlocking unique story paths.

  • Procedural Dialogue and Partnerships: Enjoy dynamic conversations enhanced by branching dialogue trees, party interaction depth, and evolving companions—from draugr warriors to thalid sorcerers—each offering distinct playstyles and lore.

  • Epic Worldbuilding: Explore iconic locations including Vaelança, the cursed Shadow Lands, Dragons Dawn, and the boiling inferno of the Indara Wastes. Each region teems with environmental storytelling, ancient ruins, and lore-rich npcs.

Key Characters

Final Thoughts

  • Cassidy – Protagonist, a scarred but resilient warrior seeking purpose amid war-torn lands.

  • Zedd Jean – A stoic, sharp-tongued Paladin of the Lyradori, haunted by his past, but bound by duty and honor.

  • Loric Bremer – A fiery reimagining of Daedra bloodline themes, torn between light and shadow.

  • Hercules Argent – A tragic Einhednar-turned-ally, whose survival quest triggers personal growth and moral reckoning.

  • The Daedra – Foreboding foes, each offering unique narrative arcs, whether as allies corrupted or ancient beings demanding sacrifice.

Playable Factions & Factions Faction-Driven Narrative

A standout feature of Dragon Age 2 is its multi-faction structure, allowing players to align with multiple groups in Dragons Dawn. Choices affect which factions gain strength and influence, shaping regional power dynamics. From the disciplined Dragons Dawn to the ideologically driven Inquisition, your alliances redefine the war’s direction.

Technical Highlights & Visuals

With advancements in BioWare’s engine and detailed hand-crafted environments, Dragon Age 2 delivers cinematic visuals, expressive character animation, and atmospheric lighting. The workload on characters—from subtle facial expressions to impactful dialogue delivery—is among the best in modern RPGs, elevating emotional investment.

Expansions: Crossplay with Crosspace