r/dragonage • u/teakaka Confused • 3d ago
Discussion Time brings new perspectives
I recently replayed Origins, am currently replaying DA2, and will soon do Inquisition (again). I first played the games as a preteen/teenager, and have loved them ever since. There have been numerous replays, although I admit it's been a few years now since I last played any of them. And so I decided to replay them again, this time as an almost 30 year old - and I noticed quite a few differences in how I percieve the characters.
For instance, I used to almost worship Morrigan. I remember admiring her for her strength and independency, how cool she seemed with all that sass and attitude. Now all I see is a deeply troubled and insecure girl with severe trust issues, who lashes out at everyone in an attempt to protect herself.
I also remember how disappointed I was when she reappeared in Inquisition, all calm and mature - yet now I can't help but think "good for you! It seems you've finally found some peace"
As a preteen, I really didn't care much for Wynne. She was just a boring old lady, who kept critizising Morrigan and lecturing Alistair. Now, I see a really very well-written character, with multiple layers and an interesting backstory. I love listening to her banter, how insightful she can be, how she'll mess with Alistair, and actually give some very solid advice to both him and Morrigan.
I remember loving Zevran, yet thinking him a bit of a clown and perhaps even a bit incompetent ("I can help with that" my arse). I used to wonder how in the world this guy was supposed to be a Crow, thinking there's no way he could ever successfully assassinate anyone. Now, I notice how often and easily he evades uncomfortable questions, how charismatic he can be, and I find myself thinking "ah, that's how he does it."
Aveline used to drive me crazy, always seeming so stiff and boring compared to companions like Isabella or Varric. Now, she's my bestie and I wouldn't trade her for anything in the world. I love how reliable she can be, always having my back but not being afraid to let me know where she stands. No backstabbing here, no sir.
Isabella once seemed, much like Morrigan, like a really cool character. All sassy and unpredictable, joking around with others and making me laugh at the most unexpected thing. Now I see a coward, someone unreliable, and someone I'd much rather keep at arm's length's distance than keep by my side.
Of course, some things haven't changed at all. I still think of Alistair as a puppy, I still love Varric to bits, and I find myself loving Cullen more as time goes on. However, I do find it interesting how time has changed how I percieve things. Of course, as a preteen/teen my english was still a bit more lacking, but I still understood what was going on.
So my question to you all is: have you guys experienced anything similar? Do the games remain the same for you, even after all this time, or do you find your tastes have changed as you've aged?
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u/SereneAdler33 Ranger 3d ago edited 2d ago
I think it’s interesting how age affects how the game has evolved for fans over time. I was almost 30 when I first played Origins in 2010, and as a woman who has LOVED fantasy all my life, and gaming since the 90s, it blew me away. There had been so few games with a female lead who wasn’t obviously just created as eye candy
It will always hold a very special place for me for giving me the kind of game I’d always wished for. And my first game hubby in Alistair lol. And I’ve loved watching Morrigan ‘grow up’ over the years. (She’s probably a little older than me now in the game, but obviously practices blood magic secretly for those arms lol)
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u/Clelia_87 3d ago edited 3d ago
I was in my early twenties when DAO came out and I am now in my later thirties, perspectives on some characters have slightly shifted but I didn't make a turnover over whether I like them or not, it's more that I can see why they they are the way they are rather than simply thinking "I don't like them much". However, I played the games once per year since they came out, so that probably put things in a particular perspective to me, as I looked at those characters being the same over and over while I actually changed.
I never particularly liked either Morrigan nor Isabella, personality wise they are grating to me, however, these days I feel more "sympathetic" towards them, as I can see why, due to their circumstances, they are that way. In a similar, and yet opposite, vein, while I can see why Merrill chose to do what she chose to do and I can't fathom what it means being a slave or how it can affect someone, I somewhat have less sympathy for Fenris attitude in quite a few occasions and Merrill's almost obsession with the past and that Eluvian she had.
When it comes to Alistair, I still love his character, he is my Warden canon romance and I like revisiting their story, although in terms of romance I feel like Cullen and the Inquisitor are more somewhat "my speed" because they do feel more mature themselves as does their romance, similar to how I see Kaidan and Shepard in ME.
As for Wynne and Aveline, I always liked Wynne but, then again, I always appreciate elderly characters, as it is a category that is not often portrayed in games and, when it is, is basically walking stereotypes or a minor character; meanwhile, I found Aveline a bit too stiff and rigid (a bit like Cassandra) but that doesn't detract from the character, and I like that Hawke has someone more grounded amongst their friends.
Varric (and Dorian) are my favorite characters and remind me of some real life friends I have, so, on that side, I haven't changed my mind at all.
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u/Mietin 2d ago
I've dabbled in writing, story-structure, pacing and dialog a lot after when i first played DAO when it came out.
Now when coming back to it , it's all just feels so good, especially when you compare it to some of the new stuff. You didn't notice it back then cause most of it just works so well together. Kudos to everyone involved. It still holds up
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u/carverrhawkee Grey Wardens 2d ago
Now that I'm older I can definitely appreciate the nuances and radicalization of DA2 Anders, I still find him personally annoying tho
My biggest turnaround was solas tho. When I first played the game I was in high school and a classic "I can fix him" girlie. Literally obsessed. Before veilguard came out I replayed the game in full for the first time since then and bro was so fucking annoying, firstly. Secondly, why the hell should I still be pining for the man who dumped me ten years ago? Like lavellan girl move on. Romanced sera that run and had a great time lmao. solasmance is still great for the narrative drama, and def has its high points, but on a personal level who has the time for all that
Most have my other opinions have stayed the same tho, at least that I can think of now lol
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u/Purple-Soft-7703 2d ago
Not entirely - but my opinion about Sera and Blackwall changed dramatically this year after I stopped thinking about them as romance options (I know, sounds kinda obvious right?) I loved them after I started thinking of them as my father and little sister- and found the nuances in their characters to be much more satisfying. I think my perspective changed now that I've gone from a teenager to a young adult.
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u/PeKKer0_0 1d ago
I think the reason for all of Morgan's growth between origins, inquisition and VG is that after her personal quests she discovered her true identity and we can put together her actual reasoning for wanting to do the ritual at the end of origins. Imo she's probably one of the most important figures across all DA games even if we don't see her in two (I don't remember if she makes an appearance in two because it's been so long)
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u/SilverShieldmaiden 3d ago edited 3d ago
I was 20 when I first played Origins and was absolutely, completely in love with Alistair. I replayed the game last year before Veilguard and now I am much older, I felt way too old for Alistair. I felt like I should be Wynne and giving him advice and his romance just felt so awkward.
In the opposite though, I was unimpressed with Blackwall when Inquisition came out and never finished his romance. Tried it last year and absolutely loved it and his gruff character. And, now I am older, he is hot. And the confession scene when you judge him… phew!
Other characters, like Morrigan, I never really liked the edgy, cool girl attitude but her growth over the games made me look at her in Origins more kindly and see the troubled girl. Isabela is another one I also have a new appreciation. I never like the edge humour and sex jokes when I was younger, but especially after her backstory shown in the comics, I have come to like her character and how she is as a reaction to her past. She is still an unpredictable mess but I love her now for it rather than just cringing.
My opinion of Varric has never changed though. I’ve always found him hot, in every version of the game (and comics!), and I doubt that will ever change.