Dragon Age 2is not the most popular game in the franchise, but its story gives players front-row seats toDragon Agehistory in the making. For many fans who played it early on, its design flaws overshadowed what the game got right, and many new fans of the franchise skip it without realizing what they are missing out on.
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One of the most overlooked things in this spinoff-turned-sequel is how insanely fun and moving it is to play Hawke. Though the recycled maps and human-only character option might seem off-putting at first, gamers delving intoDragon Age 2need not worry that they are biting into a ham that tastes like despair, as they will have a great time with the secondDragon Ageprotagonist.
10Not The Chosen One
Breaking away from the classic “chosen one” trope is a risky move for any high fantasy story. As good as it can be when pulled off, there’s a lot of room for spectacular failure if the hero’s motivations or the plot are too obviously designed for each other. Fortunately, Hawke’s story takes the lead fromDragon Age 2’splot in ways that make sense.
Like the otherDragon Ageheroes, Hawke’s story does involve darkspawn, high politics, andnotable figures like Flemeth. Although these forces are present from the very beginning ofDragon Age 2though, Hawke’s rise to fame and fortune stems from relatable reasons: sustaining the family, stabilizing Kirkwall, and the ambition to live better.
9Not Anyone’s Ideal Recruit
Dragon Agehas a lot of dramatic events that require the touch of specialists like the Grey Wardens. Keeping things together often falls under the purview ofinstitutions like the Chantry. None of theDragon Ageheroes are spared the politicking of these groups, but unlike the others, Hawke’s fate isn’t tied to these institutions.
While being dedicated to a single cause can make for a great plot, Hawke’s story is much more about living in the world ofDragon Ageas a layperson, if a resourceful one. To fans of the franchise, Hawke is the only hero who gives them an idea of how the activities of these beloved and despised institutions affect average Thedasians in the long term.
8Hawke Doesn’t Just Get The Kirkwall T-Shirt
AllDragon Ageheroes are in the world-saving business. Or at the very least, they tend to show up at the most destructive events in Thedas and do something about it. Hawke falls more into the latter category, but contrary to the heroes of the other games, Hawke has to live with the consequences full-time.
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Althoughthe setting of Kirkwallis a contested design choice, there are a lot of merits to the hero of the story sticking around to live in the place they influenced through their actions. Hawke’s choices have a necessary aspect of self-interest to them, but because of the unchanging setting, helping Kirkwallisin Hawke’s, and therefore the player’s, best interest.
7The Plight Of The Mages Is Personal
If Hawke is played as a mage, it’s easy for the player to get invested in the brewing Mage-Templar conflict central toDragon Age 2’splot. The game does one better than that though: if Hawke isn’t the mage, then their sibling is.
Although the otherDragon Ageprotagonists also have a personal stake in their stories, Hawke or Bethany has to navigate Kirkwall, a city hostile to mages, as an apostate. No matter what class the player chooses, there is constant pressure on Hawke to keep a close eye on both the Templars and Circle mages alike for compelling reasons.
6Hawke Has Antihero Potential
Like the otherDragon Ageprotagonists, Hawke can beplayed as downright sociopathic. Given everything these characters endure, it’s easy to roleplay the different ways each personality can be shaped by the events of the game. But unlike the otherDragon Ageheroes, the traumas Hawke experiences throughout the game are always deeply personal in some way.
The Warden is locked into a perilous lifelong mission, the Inquisitor is burdened with the Anchor. The bulk of their choices are made with their duty in mind, and while their personality choices are fun, they’re not very important. Hawke’s personality choices alone won’t change the plot either, but as a self-made hero, what kind of person the player makes them feels a lot more relevant in comparison.
5Hawke Has A Family To Protect
Although all theDragon Ageheroes have detailed backgrounds, where they come from tends tostayin the background. This is not the case inDragon Age 2, where Hawke has a family to look after well beyond the introductory chapter.
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It’s easy to get invested in what goes on in Thedas, but having a mother and a sibling to protect adds a personal twist to the story the otherDragon Ageheroes lack. Hawke is helpless to stop tragedies befalling the family, but with all the in-gamememories made with Leandraand Bethany or Carver, their fates will matter to players.
4A Magnet Has Magnetic Friends
ManyDragon Agefans will argue thatgetting to know Varricalone might just be reason enough to fire upDragon Age 2. Quite aside from this beloved companion, the other characters who stick with Hawke are complex, wildly opinionated, infuriating, tragic, and delightful. Most importantly, they’refriends.
Dragon Agecompanions are famously interesting, and those in the other games can become just as personally invested in the other protagonists as Hawke’s companions are. But anyone who joins the Inquisition or aids the Grey Wardens knows they’re signing up for something larger than themselves. Hawke’s friends, on the other hand, are always there for the person, not the title.
3Frenemies Are Forever, Too
One of the best features in theDragon Agegames is that they allow dedicated roleplayers totweak their companion relationships. InOriginsandInquisition, a drastic change in the approval meter can mean companions become hostile towards the protagonist or abandon them early on, so it’s generally in the player’s interest to keep them friendly.
InDragon Age 2however, players can feel free to explore rivalries instead of friendships, and it won’t make the game more difficult. Having a friendship and rivalry meter instead of an approval meter means that none of theDragon Age 2companions have to share the same views to respect Hawke and foster a relationship with them.
2Unmitigated Snark
Hawke’s adaptable personality is one of the finest features ofDragon Age 2. Within that, Sarcastic Hawke is unquestionablythe most fun way to playthe character. The Champion of Kirkwall might be lacking the gravitas of the Hero of Ferelden or the Inquisitor, but while those protagonists need to project authority to get things done, Hawke doesn’t.
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Not only are Hawke’s lines well-written, but the game also adapts non-choice dialogues to reflect the personality choices the player makes. Although there are only three major personality designs, players who mix their dialogue choices will enjoy the denizens of Kirkwall reacting to and remarking upon the changes.
1A Journey Of Personal Strength
Though each protagonist has a harrowing tale, Hawke stands out as a hero who makes the journey fueled only by his or her will to thrive despite being dealt heavy blows by fate. The “rags to riches” plot works particularly well but that’s not the only reason Hawke’s story works so well.
What makes Hawke a compelling character is that while otherDragon Ageheroes have institutions and causes to believe in that grant them authority, Hawke has only themselves to rely on. WhatevercriticismsDragon Age 2might deservefor its rushed design, it’s easy to look back and love how moving the story of Hawke’s rise to fame is and just how great these characters are.
Dragon Age 2is available on PC, Mac OS X, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360.
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