Dragon Age: Absolution review: Netflix series will satisfy, torment fans

It’s only been four years since I joined Dragon Age, but I know how desperate the fandom is for new story drips.It’s been a long drought since 2014. Dragon Age: Inquisitionso the 6-episode animated Netflix series is absolute feast.

But at the same time Dragon Age: Absolution Almost nothing.Still, it SomethingBut still, it’s not many to leave. All the same, it still manages to pack in a lot of what makes Dragon Age so compelling. There are still only 6 episodes of him that are 30 minutes long. Oh! Basically, this series is just as frustrating as the new Dragon Age content, but I still love it. Part of me wishes otherwise, but I would love to see these characters again.

[Ed. note: This post contains spoilers for the Dragon Age games and some light setup spoilers for Dragon Age: Absolution.]

Dragon Age: Absolution Follow a group of thieves as they travel to the land of Tevinter where magic rules to steal a dangerous artifact known as the Circulum Infinitus. Elf assassin Miriam (Kimberly Brooks) is caught on this mission by his former lover, Hira (Sumary Montano). Hira (Sumary Montano) may or may not disband, at player’s discretion, depending on Inquisition (2014’s Dragon Age her game’s titular organization — the franchise’s newest entry). will be explained in a moment). Miriam is an escaped slave from Tevinter and is hesitant to return, but Hira tells her that after this mission, they will live a peaceful life together. Fairbanks (Matthew Mercer), minor game character and an Inquisitor. Human mercenary Roland (Phil Lamar). Quidion (Ashley Burch), a strong-minded Qunari mage. and Lakron (Keston John), a grumpy dwarf.

While the crew plans a heist, Tevinter’s Magister Rezaren (Josh Keaton) attempts to uncover the Circulum’s secrets. He is sure that if he finds a way to revive the dead in the Circulum, all his problems will be solved. But his loyal Commendatore Tasia (Zephra Fazal) worries that he’s going too far with his mission. This all comes to a head when a gang of thieves accidentally triggers an elaborate security system, trapping everyone inside the walls of the palace. Without a doubt, the show focuses on these eight characters and their relationships, and in doing so it does the best it can given the game’s player-driven parameters.

Image: Netflix

From the beginning, Dragon Age: Absolution I’m working with a strangely limited framework. There’s only so much you can do to avoid drastically changing the world in your next game setup, or making assumptions about the choices players made in the previous game.The show takes us to Tevinter — a highly anticipated setting Dragon Age: Dreadwolf —but characters remain mostly confined to one palace, as the big reveal of the larger world is best left to the game itself. It depends, so I only make cameos and other short appearances.

Hell, even the very existence of the Inquisition depends on whether the player dismantled the organization at the end of the previous game’s final expansion. and it seems like the answer to that, but the characters still refer to returning the artifact to what was left of the organization. , allowing familiar viewers to imagine their own player character. Enough to keep viewers on board, but not enough to actually satisfy them. With that in mind, Shaw does what he can.

The heart of Dragon Age—the element that has captivated fans over the years—is not necessarily the lore or plot, but the characters and their relationships.Characters of pardon It’s dynamic and jumps off the screen with great animation and stunning voice acting. Kwydion, in particular, is delighted. Her performance of Birch makes her vivacious and bouncy, yet capable. Her animation expression is especially nice. As Lethalene, Keaton imbues his vocal performance with the perfect blend of charm and cruelty. Obviously he’s a bad guy, but there’s something about him that’s very compelling and I was hoping he would turn around.

But as fun as the characters are individually, it’s the relationship with each other that seals the deal.BioWare’s games are notorious for their relationship system, in which the player gains or loses approval with a character depending on their actions. The show can’t do it without player input, but the writers recognize that romance and friendship are big reasons why people love these games. ‘s complicated romance, but they’re not the only ones flirting. Talkative Roland flirts with the flustered and grumpy Lachron. Tassia and Rezaren have a loyal, bittersweet romance between their leader and his right hand that never quite materializes. However, romance isn’t everything. There are toxic family relationships. burgeoning friendships; the feeling of finding family through this intrepid crew of criminals; And like the nature of so many Dragon Age games, there’s betrayal.

Image: Netflix

It has everything you need for your Dragon Age story. It works for the most part because the bulk of the show focuses solely on these characters in this particular moment. Choices have ripple effects later on. This isn’t the first time the world has been explored without player input, as the Dragon Age franchise has plenty of supplemental comics and books that dive into NPC backstories and more. But it’s the first time it’s been done in this more accessible TV format, giving new fans a way into the franchise and telling them what makes the franchise so special without changing too much. .

there is a thread inside pardon that can We’ll be back with a future Dragon Age project. part of me wants them. These characters and their relationships are so vivid. But part of me isn’t, because I don’t know what that means for my own playthrough of the fourth game.There are differences between shows like arcane Also Castlevaniaextending the already largely established lore of the game, pardonwhich expands on games where much of what happens depends on your actions as a player. pardon By focusing the story on one specific group of people completing one specific task, you get what you can. The ending alludes to a greater impact, making it a little unnerving as a player, but ultimately intriguing as a fan.

Dragon Age: Absolution Season 1 is currently streaming on Netflix.