
BioWare has released a precious few details about Dragon Age II’s main character, Shepa- er, Hawke. You may the find the similarities to be vaguely reminiscent of another game by the same developer.
Here’s what we know so far:
You’ll be playing as Hawke. Yes, the name has been decided for you. Why? Because the dozens of other characters need to say it over and over again, and hearing your own name just makes for a much more intimate experience, right? Yeah. Sure. Hawke’s character is also fully-voiced. This should allow players to have a more cinematic experience during conversations, rather than the stiff dialogue screens we saw in Origins. Y’know, the ones that seemed to have been transplanted directly from Knights of the Old Republic. No more vapid smiling at the NPC while she sobbingly tells the story of how the demon from Redridge devoured her children and left nothing but bones behind. Now, you can properly insult her with a human voice. Here’s hoping it’s an actor who gives a shit after seeing the pages upon page of dialogue he/she has to read.
We know that Hawke can be either a male or female character with completely customizable features. So go ahead and plug in the Mass Effect Shepard creation experience, only take away the guns and sweet glowy armor. Also, you are human. No more of this fanciful dwarf/elf tom foolery.
Hawke was not a Grey Warden. Hawke actually fled the town of Lothering (a small village in Dragon Age: Origins) during the blight. Despite this act of cowardice, Hawke goes onto become the “Champion of Kirkwall.” The game spans over the course of ten years (what the hell?) and you’ve got to become said champion in that expanse of time. Your choices and relationships will build you into the hero or failure of the Free Marches. Don’t waste too much time. After all, you’ve only got ten years.
This is going to be a character-driven game rather than an epic tale forced into motion by a blight or horrific genocide. It’s the story of you, Hawke, becoming the Champion of Kirkwall. For those of you who had issues with Dragon Age: Origins not paying enough attention to your character’s intricate, imaginary backstory, then DA2 will hopefully feed your narcissistic tendencies. No, I get it. You just really love your character. Sure. I’m not judging.
When you peel away all the fantasy trappings, what you have left is the core of the Mass Effect experience- the cinematic dialogue, the rise of your main character to glory, and a world intricately affected by your choices. Wonderful! Now the same great game comes in two flavors.
So ten whole years. How will you leave your mark on Kirkwall? With dozens of illegitimate children, I hope.