As you might already know, there are a ton of DLC for Dragon Age: Origins. A ton. I could be wrong, but I seriously can’t remember another game that I’ve played that had this much DLC. Not that it’s a bad thing, I like how they continued the story and then even gave you some extra bits here and there, but it’s just a lot. Anyway, this was another one of the games DLC, but it was different.
Leliana’s Song is separate from the game and doesn’t even involve your hero. This time it’s all about Leliana, one of the more mysterious characters in the Dragon Age series and where she came from. Who was she before she met the hero? What made her stay at the Chantry in Lothering before eventually becoming a traveling companion and then so much more in the whole Dragon Age series. If you think about it, even though it might not seem like it from the first game, Leliana plays a very important role in the series as a whole that I think will continue as the series continues as well. Some well know theories even make her out to be Andraste herself. Anyway, Leliana’s Song tells the of how Leliana came to be who she is when you meet her in Lothering and how she was betrayed by a woman who she cared deeply for, Marjolaine. Although, there’s a twist. Not everything she tells the Warden is true and in this DLC you’ll see the actual truth. You’ll see Leliana as you might not have seen her before in game and see that darker side of her that you’ll see again in Inquisition.
Being that Leliana is one of my favorite characters in the Dragon Age series, I really enjoyed this DLC. I even wished they had done this for other characters in the Dragon Age universe. If you think about it, everyone before the main game had some sort of past, some of them more interesting than others, but still it was a past. It would have been nice to play as other characters as well and see what they were like before meeting the Warden. Going on that, I enjoyed that you were able to see a different side of Leliana that can basically change depending on how she’s treated in the main game. Of course all of this changes again in Inquisition, but you still have a chance to either harden her or make her change once more. Needless to say, Leliana is an interesting character and hearing her tell her tale was an interesting DLC.
Even though it takes the same features of the main game, it’s still played outside the main game as a separate add-on that’s accessed from the main title screen. Being that it’s separate from the game, it plays a little differently. Combat is still the same as the main game, but there are some noticeable bugs and glitches. Some of the conversations will repeat themselves at times and I did have the game stall on me one or two times during my playthrough. Nothing was game breaking, but it was still just a little bit annoying.
There are three trophies that accompany this DLC and you can get two of them by just playing the game and hearing Leliana’s story. The other trophy is a collectible and it’s totally worth it to get it because it gives you the Battledress of the Provocateur which actually carries into the main game. That’s some pretty badass armor so even if you aren’t a trophy hunter, it’s good to get this one so that you can get that armor for the actual Dragon Age: Origins game.
The graphics are sadly the same as the main game meaning that they aren’t good. I’ve said this in each and every review, I know, but there is no way that these graphics hold up today at all. For me though this isn’t a deal breaker. I enjoyed this DLC as I did with Dragon Age: Origins for the story and not the graphics. For some though, this might be a deal breaker.
I’m happy to say that this DLC is multiplayer free.
Overall I give this DLC a 4.5 out of 5.
What’s Great:
+ You get to play the backstory of one of the more interesting companions in Dragon Age: Origins.
+ Seeing a side of Leliana that hasn’t been seen before in game depending on how you play.
What’s Not So Great:
– A few minor bugs and gltiches, but nothing game breaking.
If you’re a Dragon Age fan, or a fan of Leliana, then this DLC is a must for you. It’s a great way to learn more about Leliana and you do so by actually playing as her, not by having a conversation. It was an interesting concept for DLC that I wish was expanded on for other companions but sadly wasn’t. It’s chock full of Leliana lore that any Dragon Age fan will just eat up and send to their Dragon Age memory bank as you try to keep track of everything going on with this game.
I’m sorry to say that our Dragon Age: Origins DLC time is going to come to an end next week as I review the final piece of Dragon Age: Origins DLC, Witch Hunt. This was the DLC that everyone was excited for as it brought back a hugely popular character and kind of finished her story or at least showed where she would end up. Come back next week and I’ll tell you all about it.
1 Broke Gamer Girl 