UPDATE: 02/06/2024 - After having played through Phantom Liberty - which just adds to this extraordinary title - I'd just like to say that everything I wrote abut this game below in regards to how it will be remembered in history has already come true. If you haven't played it yet there should be nothing holding you back :-)

After 320+ hours I can honestly say this is the best game I've ever played. Yes, it was a horrible launch and I had so many crashes but now with all the patches that have come out I've been sucked into this game like nothing else. I did every ending (including the secret one) and now I'm about to do the whole game again as a male V. The combat is so fun and all the different creative ways I can approach a problem can cause anything from sheer comedy to butt clenching mayhem. Don't let anyone tell you that the story isn't deep or the characters are shallow. When I read those reviews I know right away that the reviewer didn't actually play the game. I did every single thing there is to do - I cleared the map until there was nothing - and there are so many tiny nuances to discover about each main character that it staggers the mind to think how they even story boarded it. Thanks CD Projekt Red - can't wait for some DLC.

By the way, let's not even mention the huge modding community that has evolved and how that opens up a whole crap load of new things to do. Game isn't going anywhere and in the future it will be written about calling it a pioneering master piece.

I'm writing this as the credits roll. I've played every Bioware game that's ever come out, including the entire Dragon Age series. I am so, so, so glad I didn't base my decision to buy this game on reviews. In fact, I had pre-purchased it without even realizing it wasn’t getting the best reviews. Fast forward 163 hours later: I’ve done every quest, explored every storyline, and completed everything there was to do on the map. I did it all—and what a ride it was!

Let’s talk about the acting: it’s excellent. Seriously, if you played this game for nearly 200 hours and walked away without thinking, “What a fun and engaging trip that was,” you might want to check your pulse. Maybe ask your family or friends when they last saw you smile or laugh—because if you didn’t feel anything playing this, I’m pretty sure you’ve forgotten how to experience joy.

Now, about the lore. Some people have complained that the game doesn’t connect to the previous Dragon Age titles or that it doesn’t explore the lore deeply enough. When you read stuff like that, let me stop you right there—that’s proof the person talking either never actually played the game or didn’t get past the first few hours. This entire game is the natural extension and conclusion of Dragon Age: Inquisition. It’s all about Solas screwing up the world and the fallout from that. No lore? LOL. Ignore those reviews because they simply aren’t accurate.

For those on the fence about buying this game, let’s skip the usual chatter about graphics, performance, or other technical details—you can find that in any Steam review. Here’s the bottom line: this game feels like the arcade version of Baldur’s Gate. Sure, it’s not as deep, doesn’t require as much management or mental energy, and isn’t as long, but the feeling of accomplishment at the end was very similar to what I felt finishing Baldur’s Gate. And for context, I’ve sunk over 700 hours into that game.

If you enjoyed the sense of accomplishment from Baldur’s Gate and loved getting to know the members of your party, you’ll likely enjoy this game a lot. I’m not an Electronic Arts fanboy—far from it. In fact, my Origin account name is literally “LoveGamesHateEA.” But credit where it’s due: sometimes, they let Bioware do its thing, and when they do, we get fantastic stories in fun, memorable games.

Lastly, let’s address the whole “woke” discussion. Yes, it’s there. Yes, it can feel a bit forced at times. But honestly? I don’t care. I’ve got more important things to worry about in life. The game itself is too good to let something like that detract from it. Maybe some product managers had an agenda, and maybe it cost the game in reviews—but why should I miss out on a great experience because of something so trivial? I didn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t.

This was a lot of fun, and I’m already looking forward to the next Dragon Age! Thank you, devs!