"Oghren's okay. Wait, please don't slap me" - The Warden, in his head.

I am ambiently aware that these are Unpopular And/Or Controversial Dragon Age Opinions - whether they're the kind of controversial Dragon Age opinions that aren't ACTUALLY super controversial (Merrill is pretty good actually; DA2 has the best cast) or the kind of Dragon Age opinions that would get me thrown in the Gallows (The Orsinio fight made some amount of sense mechanically, Sera is pretty good actually), there's sure to be something you'll want to fight me over!

• x THE ORSINIO FIGHT MADE SOME AMOUNT OF SENSE

OKAY HEAR ME OUT. 1. I am aware this fight was put in because higher-ups thought DA2 needed a second boss fight before Meredith, and 2. I am NOT defending the Orsinio fight NARRATIVELY. It was (assuming you sided with the mages) kind of a cop-out; and proooobably the final battle(s) should've been secondary-boss-battle THEN Meredith OR Orsinio, depending on who you sided with.

HOWEVER.

I actually think a fakeout secondary mini-boss fight made sense, because of the projected/long-drawn-out nature of the Final Battle thing. Cementing the ending of DA games with prolonged final battles as a whole story chapter (with dialogue, fighting with your whole squad, and multiple plot points/minibosses before the Big Bad) was a pro move that I'm kiiind of upset didn't return in Inquisition. The "big final battle with all your friends" is my favorite Bioware end-chapter hallmark, and I genuinely think the Orsinio fight slows the pacing down enough as a fakeout before Meredith to practice your skills and slow shit down before the very very end. (iirc this fight takes place before talking to your friends/final goodbyes? If it DOESN'T, I take this back, a little.). But seriously, the slowing down of the pacing = prolonged last chapter = fight is okay in my book. Except, y'know... maybe not Orsinio.

Who SHOULD it have been? Cullen. FIGHT ME.

"The Orsinio fight made no sense." - The Inquisitor, to Varric's face



• x SERA'S ALL RIGHT

Seriously, she's okay. I haven't done the Sera romance, and I know some people find her annoying, but I actually think she's pretty fucking funny. I dunno, the breeches thing was funny when I noticed they actually, like, WEREN'T wearing any breeches. Plus, I played a queer male Inquisitor and having Sera be my little sister/buddy/prank masterz cohort was a super fun time. Idk I really like her, I kind of get why she's all pissed off all the time. But I usually like the quirky character with a bone to pick.

• x BLACKWALL LEAVING YOU ON THE HAYSTACK IS ACTUALLY PRETTY ROMANTIC

Complain all you want about Blackwall just kind of dipping on you when you hook up in the barn (and leaving you naked in said barn) - I have one complaint about this and it's that the man could've tossed a blanket over me but I DIGRESS. The POINT of the Blackwall Leaving Scene is that he can't lie to you any longer, because he like, genuinely has fallen in love with you, and thus has to go turn himself in so no one else has to die for his lies/cowardice/shittery. THAT SAID. I think this scene would be more powerful if it was the first time you and Blackwall sleep together instead of being the (implied) nth time? I mean, I am actually really approving of the Inquisitor getting it on with Blackwall constantly because it's about TIME someone in a Bioware game had sex more than Once Canonically (except for everyone who took Alistair to the tent repeatedly in Origins. Good job, team.) I just think the "comes to his senses cuz he loves you" thing should hit AFTER a big emotional moment.

THAT SAID! You could argue that this moment hits as a catharsis AFTER Blackwall A) brings you to the Storm Coast where he intends to confess the truth, but chickened out because he wanted to stay with the Inquisitor so much, then B) trying again to come clean to the Inquisitor in the tavern scene, but only being able to emotionally come clean first before realizing he has to come clean, like, FOR REAL. Thus he becomes a big drama boy and goes off to save his old soldier's life and/or put himself on the chopping block because Blackwill is the king of self flagellation.

Hey, while I'm here? That kiss where Blackwall is still in shackles and the Inq is on the throne? ROMANTIC AS SHIT.

X