Today, November 3, 2024, marks the 15th anniversary of Dragon Age: Origins, a game known for its bold and sometimes awkward exploration of sex as a central theme.
Video games and sex have always had a complicated relationship. Playing adult games on old consoles like the Atari 2600 feels childish, while the explicit content found on platforms like Steam can often be quite awkward. Even well-known games have had issues with sexual themes. For instance, Mass Effect’s mild scenes once sparked controversy on Fox News, and players of Baldur’s Gate 3 have faced temporary bans on Xbox for recording romantic scenes. So, it’s surprising to think that Dragon Age: Origins made a bold attempt at this topic two decades ago.
Dragon Age: Origins is a peculiar mix. At its core, the story feels like something out of Tolkien, with warriors banding together to defeat an evil force called “the blight.” Yet, it draws more inspiration from A Song of Ice and Fire, with noble betrayals and a society wary of magic. Despite its high-fantasy elements, the game leans heavily into dark fantasy, particularly in its portrayal of sex and romance.
Its approach is mostly focused on heterosexual relationships and themes like lineage and birth. Some scenarios are straightforward, like Alistair’s royal claim, while others are bizarre, like Morrigan’s request to be impregnated with a powerful spirit. If your character is male, she asks directly, but if female, you need to find someone else for her. Fans might find this quirky take a bit unusual.
In the game, sex is often seen as a transaction, lacking romance or love. Morrigan’s offers aren’t about affection; it’s all about achieving a goal. This isn’t new in games, where romance often feels like a reward for playing well. Dragon Age: Origins is no exception, letting players buy gifts to win over characters’ hearts, even through paid DLC.
https://www.gamespot.com/videos/the-essential-lore-of-dragon-age/2300-6465434/
However, the game does a good job of embedding its characters in a world with its own politics and cultural norms. Morrigan’s use of sex stems from her life as a mage hiding from the oppressive church. Her actions defy societal rules, making her choices about more than just physical intimacy. It’s about consent and vulnerability.
Morrigan stands out in this regard, but she’s not alone. Characters like Leliana and Zevran also have rich backgrounds that shape their views on sex. Leliana, despite her religious ties, rejects celibacy, while Zevran’s upbringing among sex workers influences his carefree demeanor. Meanwhile, Alistair’s virginity becomes a source of humor. Each character’s history impacts how they interact with you, adding depth to their personalities.
It’s important to note that Dragon Age: Origins doesn’t handle these themes perfectly. At times, the game feels immature, using sex and violence for shock value. Characters emerge from battles comically drenched in blood, reducing the impact of any real gore. Sensitive topics like sexual assault and racial violence are treated insensitively, serving as mere backdrops for the player’s journey. Jokes about sex often resemble something from a high-school health class.
The encounter with Isabella is a prime example of both the game’s strengths and flaws. You can sleep with her after passing a persuasion test, earning a new subclass. Other characters might join in, but their participation depends on complex psychological dynamics. While this reflects thoughtful character development, the execution can be more amusing in theory than practice.
A significant issue is the game’s visuals. Dragon Age: Origins looks quite drab, lacking the striking style of other games like Gears of War. It aims for realism but ends up feeling grimy. Awkward sex scenes and characters posing in medieval underwear feel more like a catalog than anything romantic. While mods can enhance the graphics, they sometimes stray far from the original vision.
Despite these flaws, the game does engage with sex in a way few other big-budget titles do. While games like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 offer moments of depth, they often lean towards juvenile portrayals. It’s refreshing to see Dragon Age: Origins attempt something different, even if it’s not always successful.
Some games, like Disco Elysium and Pentiment, don’t follow the usual video game romance formula but explore their worlds’ sexual norms. Dragon Age: Origins, despite its crudeness and visual shortcomings, paved the way for more mature storytelling. It’s a shame that many AAA games seem to have taken a step back since then.
