Should Dragon Age Return to an Open World? Pros and Cons for BioWare’s Next Big Game

As BioWare continues development on the highly anticipated Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, fans and critics alike are wondering if the series will stick with a traditional structured design or fully embrace an open-world format. While Dragon Age: Inquisition experimented with large explorable areas, the next game has the potential to either go bigger or return to its roots.

So, should Dragon Age go full open world? Let’s explore the advantages and disadvantages of that approach.

✅ The Case For an Open World in Dragon Age

1. Player Freedom and Exploration

   • An open world allows players to roam freely, discovering hidden quests, lore, and unique encounters.

   • For fans who enjoy uncovering secrets and immersing themselves in fantasy worlds, open-world design offers endless possibilities.

2. Modern RPG Expectations

   • Games like The Witcher 3, Elden Ring, and Skyrim have set a high bar for open-world RPGs.

   • By embracing that standard, Dragon Age could compete with top-tier RPG experiences in 2025 and beyond.

3. Dynamic Worldbuilding

   • Open-world environments can reflect choices in real time, showing political changes, regional conflicts, and character influence more vividly.

   • The world could evolve with the player’s decisions, enhancing replayability.

❌ The Case Against an Open World in Dragon Age

1. Risk of Shallow Content

   • Many open-world games struggle with repetitive side quests and filler content.

   • A tightly written, narrative-driven structure—like Dragon Age: Origins—can provide more focus and emotional depth.

2. Resource Challenges

   • Building a high-quality open world requires massive resources, which can compromise other areas like storytelling and character development.

   • BioWare’s strengths lie in narrative complexity, not just map size.

3. Inconsistent Pacing

   • Open worlds can lead to pacing issues in story-driven RPGs.

   • Jumping between major plot points and random side content can dilute tension and disrupt emotional arcs.

🧠 What Fans Really Want

Many long-time fans are hoping for a hybrid approach—large, explorable hubs with deep storylines and meaningful quests, rather than a single, sprawling open world.

If Dragon Age: Dreadwolf focuses on quality over quantity, it could strike the perfect balance between exploration and narrative depth, offering a richer, more immersive experience than ever before.