Dragon Age 2

Despite often being the most maligned in the series, Dragon Age 2 has a compelling narrative, well-written characters, and plenty of lore for fantasy lovers to obsess over. (It also has Fenris, if you know, you know.) Yes, it's pretty much all set in one city, but that doesn't have to be a dealbreaker. Go into it looking to make a lot of impactful choices and to get to know some neat people, and don't worry too much about things like combat or exploration. (That wasn't sarcasm, I really love it.)

Despite the reaction Dragon Age 2 got on release, this game in recent years has become my favorite in the franchise. Hawke is an incredibly interesting protagonist with various personalities the player could lean into to make playing Dragon Age 2 again entertaining. I also surprisingly loved the smaller area of exploration, with Kirkwall being an incredibly captivating location to place the story within. Not to mention it having some of the best companions in the franchise.

Okay, I know Dragon Age II gets a lot of flak, but I loved the faster-paced combat. Sure, the repetitive environments and some recycled quests can be grating, but I couldn’t get enough of the intense character moments and the dynamic relationships with my companions. The choices felt impactful, even if the whole "Hawke is the center of everything" vibe gets a little tiring. Still, it’s a solid ride, just don’t expect the same grandeur as Origins.

Though I wasn't a fan of this game when it first released, it has grown on me with time and I now regard it fondly. The setting and characters are unique but the charm of Origins is maintained somewhat when compared to the later DA games.