Dragon Age II: Legacy DLC Reviews
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Destructoid, scoreless.
On the one hand, I appreciate that BioWare are trying -- if not always successfully -- to offer something not quite so unabashedly conflict-driven; but on the other, this realization undermines the crux of the game. There comes a scene in every piece of BioWare content during which the game's protagonist must choose between two equally dubious options. In a perfect world, these decisions would represent the apex of Hawke's civic and moral engagement; in (Legacy,) it's abrupt, perfunctory, and poorly implemented, and the results aren't significantly different for each choice.
(Legacy) has two undeniable strengths, each with a corresponding weakness: it houses some of the most technical combat to be found in Dragon Age II, but the final battle is a glitchy slog; its limited scope allows players to focus on one aspect of Hawke's character, but its narrative is muddled and bafflingly tight-fisted with the funny, evocative moments that made the core game a treat.
Ultimately, (Legacy) sticks out because it asks a relatively humane question: Is it so much for Hawke to ask that she and her family not be assaulted by a gang of blood-frenzied dwarves?
A humble game for a humble premise. I guess Varric was right.
Game Revolution, C+.
DLC is a good way for companies to make a couple extra bucks, but essentially all Legacy gives us is a new weapon, a miniscule insight into our main character, and revamped versions of darkspawn enemies. Unless you're a completionist, I see little need to spend your precious sovereign on this one.
Game Culture, 3/5.
In terms of telling an interesting story, Legacy definitely has its moments, the intro is depressingly vague, but once you discover your Father's involvement and learn more about him, it shines a light on the side of the Hawke family which the main game rarely touches on. The main protagonist is also an interesting throw back to the Dragon Age: Origin game and a worthy opponent, if not a little confused to his role as the end Boss.
Was Legacy worth the wait, or the 800 points you'll have to shell out for it? If you're a die-hard Dragon Age II fan, then yes. For anyone else, maybe a heftier chunk of content (another Awakening style add-on for example) is what's required to drag you back into Kirkwall for another fantasy bloodbath. For me, it was too little too late for Legacy to really shine.
Nfamous Gamers, 4.5/5.
If you're a fan of Dragon Age II proper, you're sure to enjoy the new download content. My only real suggestion is that you do the quest while playing the actual game, not after you have finished. I say this because the biggest reward from the DLC is the customizable weapon a weapon that levels up as you do, which makes it pretty useless if you are playing through the new content after beating the main game. You can play the new content at any point in the game; Hawke in my latest play-through is about to head into the Deep Roads for Bartrand's expedition, so I may very well go and get the weapon now.
So, once again, Varric is awesome. Dragon Age II is awesome, and this download content is awesome. It gets an overall rating of awesome. Go download it now.
