It’s likely that if you were asked to name your favorite role-playing game (RPG), one of the first games that came to mind would be one developed by BioWare. Indeed, they are responsible for some of the finest role-playing games of the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Whether or not you like the “new” BioWare, there’s no denying that the “old” BioWare was a powerhouse in the role-playing game industry.
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All of this studio’s video game output is covered here.
Shattered Steel
Time of Publication: October 1996
MS-DOS and Mac OS are supported.
You shouldn’t expect what you think is the first BioWare game to be released. The first game from BioWare is not a role-playing game but rather an action game, more specifically a mech simulator.
Shattered Steel is a game set in a dystopian future in which the player pilots a huge bipedal mech designed for combat and protecting Earth from an alien invasion.
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Even though Planet Runners isn’t an RPG in the traditional sense, it does feature elements of the genre thanks to the variety of playable characters and the degree to which they can be personalized.
The game supports up to 16 players in its multiplayer mode and features a wide variety of missions and deformable terrain (which was groundbreaking at the time).
In the end, however, critics were divided on Shattered Steel, and today it is mostly remembered only as BioWare’s debut title. It debuted on MS-DOS and later made its way to the Classic Mac OS.
Baldur’s Gate
Published on December 21st, 1998.
Operating Systems: Mac OS X and Microsoft Windows
Baldur’s Gate, one of BioWare’s earliest and most influential releases, is now up next.
Baldur’s Gate is a role-playing game based on Dungeons & Dragons and set in the Forgotten Realms setting. As with most role-playing games of its era, it is played from an isometric top-down perspective, and its dice-based combat system comes as no surprise given that it is a Dungeons & Dragons game.
The game has a 7-chapter storyline and 25 playable characters who can tag along on the epic journey that can last dozens, if not hundreds, of hours.
The final verdicts on Baldur’s Gate were overwhelmingly positive, and for good reason. The writing was top-notch, the characters were engaging, and the combat system rewarded innovation.
To keep players engaged for even longer, a single expansion was released called Tales of the Sword Coast.
Many consider Baldur’s Gate an all-time classic because of how well it emulates the pen-and-paper role-playing game experience.
In 2012, a remake of Baldur’s Gate was released, titled Baldur’s Gate: Enhanced Edition, which includes the aforementioned expansion as well as several new features. Of course, the original Baldur’s Gate can also be played if you so choose.
MDK2
Date of publication: March 31st, 2000
System Requirements: PC (Microsoft Windows), Dreamcast (Sega), PS2 (Sony), Wii (Ninte
For the Sega Dreamcast, BioWare developed MDK2, a third-person shooter/adventure game, before moving on to more traditional role-playing games.
Shiny Software followed up on the events of the original MDK with a sequel called MDK2, which once again puts the player in the middle of an alien invasion.
Aside from its puzzle and platforming elements, MDK2 is a fast-paced third-person shooter starring three protagonists with varying skills and play styles.
After ten years since its initial release, the game was ported to the Wii and released alongside versions for the Dreamcast, PlayStation 3, and PC.
Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn
Date of publication: September 21, 2000
Windows and Mac OS are the supported platforms.
A sequel to the critically acclaimed RPG Baldur’s Gate, Baldur’s Gate II: Shadows of Amn, was released by BioWare a few months after MDK2. The sequel was a vast improvement over its predecessor.
While the core gameplay is unchanged, three new classes have been added, and the overall experience has been enhanced and streamlined in a number of other ways. There were also improvements made to the visuals, making the sequel look much better than the original.
Baldur’s Gate II: Throne of Bhaal, an expansion pack, was released alongside the main game, adding new areas, enemies, and weapons while also improving the game’s technical aspects.
In the end, both critics and fans agreed that Baldur’s Gate II was just as good as the original, and if you want to play it, you can get the remaster, Baldur’s Gate II: Enhanced Edition, which is available on a wide variety of platforms, including the 8th generation consoles and mobile devices.
Neverwinter Nights
Date of Publication: June 18, 2002
Operating Systems: Windows, Mac OS X, and Linux
Neverwinter Nights, the third role-playing game created by BioWare, is another timeless classic.
The game is set in the same universe as Baldur’s Gate, but it uses a different edition of the Dungeons & Dragons ruleset. While the gameplay is similar to that of Baldur’s Gate, the fully 3D rendered visuals were a revolutionary step forward when they were released.
There have been three DLCs for the game so far:
- Shadows of Undrentide, from Neverwinter Nights
- Monsters of the Underdark in Neverwinter Nights
- Kingmaker, from Neverwinter Nights
Each expansion improved and refined the gameplay in its own unique way, and together they added a ton of new content. In the years that followed, a slew of “premium modules” were released, each with new single-player and multiplayer content (three of which made up the third expansion).
There was a sequel to Neverwinter Nights, called Neverwinter Nights 2, but unlike the original game, it wasn’t made by BioWare. There have been several re-releases of the game over the years, but at this point in time, the best option for playing the game would be Neverwinter Nights: Enhanced Edition.
Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic
Date of publication: July 15th, 2003
Windows, Mac, Xbox, iPhone/iPad/Android
Here we have another highly regarded role-playing game (RPG) from BioWare, which takes the player to a galaxy far, far away instead of Dungeons & Dragons.
The video game Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is set in the same universe as the original Star Wars films, but its story takes place 4000 years in the past. This gave BioWare a lot of creative leeway in terms of the story, even if it is still very “Star Wars.”
The game’s combat system is based on the d20 system, even if it isn’t set in a Dungeons & Dragons universe. At the outset of the game, the player chooses a starting class from among three options, and later customizes their Jedi specialty.
The player can choose two allies from a pool of nine, whose classes and skills will complement those of the player character.
Critical and commercial success for Knights of the Old Republic was on par with that of previous BioWare role-playing games; however, the game never received any DLC and there is no remastered version available (at least not yet).
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However, a sequel was released with the same developer as Neverwinter Nights 2: Sith Lords: Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II.
The original Xbox and Windows versions of the game were created first; a macOS version followed shortly thereafter; and an iOS and Android version were released in 2013 and 2014, respectively.
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Jade Empire
Date of publication: April 12, 2005
Windows, Mac, Xbox, iOS, Android, and more.
Now for something completely different: the game in which BioWare abandoned dice-based combat in favor of actual action RPG mechanics. The game in question is Jade Empire, which is far too often forgotten.
Jade Empire is set in a fantasy world inspired by Chinese mythology, a genre that is rarely seen in role-playing games (or games in general), but which is expertly realized in Jade Empire.
Players can select from a variety of pre-made male and female characters, and their playstyle is not limited by classes.
Originally released in 2005 exclusively for the original Xbox, Jade Empire: Special Edition was ported to PC in 2007. The game was ported to macOS the following year, and in 2016, versions for iOS and Android were released.
We think you’ll enjoy Jade Empire and encourage you to give the game a try, especially now that the game’s Special Edition is available on Steam. However, actual game functionality may be compromised by known compatibility issues with modern hardware.
Mass Effect
Published on November 20th, 2007
Windows, Xbox 360, and PS3 are the supported platforms.
When they released their next critically acclaimed RPG in 2007, Mass Effect, it was clear that BioWare wasn’t done trying new things.
This sci-fi action role-playing game features an intriguing combination of third-person shooter, squad tactics, and role-playing game mechanics. Each of the game’s six playable classes has their own unique set of abilities and weapon skills, and they’re supported by the AI-controlled companions around them.
There were no major add-ons for Mass Effect, but the game did get two downloadable content packs, Bring Down the Sky and Pinnacle Station, which both expanded the game’s gameplay but didn’t add much to the story.
Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood
Dropping on September 25th, 2008
Nintendo DS is the platform.
You read that correctly; in 2008, BioWare created a Sonic game for the Nintendo DS. It’s a role-playing game, so it has conversations, exploration, and turn-based battles; the concept is solid, and the game was well received by critics upon its release.
However, as a small game exclusive to the Nintendo DS, it has become nothing more than a footnote in the history of the BioWare franchise.
Mass Effect Galaxy
Date of Publication: June 23, 2009
iOS-Based Devices
A prequel iOS game called Mass Effect Galaxy was then released by BioWare, exploring the origins of two characters who would go on to become allies in Mass Effect 2.
As a result of the game’s lackluster reception, Apple decided to pull it from the App Store in 2012.
Dragon Age: Origins
The official date of release is 11/3/2009.
Microsoft Windows, Apple Mac OS X, Xbox 360, and PlayStation 3
The spiritual successor to Baldur’s Gate and Neverwinter Nights, Dragon Age: Origins was released by BioWare before Mass Effect 2.
It has a dice-based combat system that requires the player to think strategically, using the abilities of up to four different characters to overcome enemy encounters, and a fantasy setting that is fairly dark and doesn’t shy away from gore.
Humans, elves, and dwarves, as well as warriors, mages, and rogues, are the only playable races and classes in Dragon Age: Origins. But the game survived thanks to its compelling backstory.
This meant that the player’s character’s backstory varied depending on their chosen race and social standing, with the introductions to these backstories also being distinct.
There are a total of eight downloadable content packs for the game, with some focusing on gameplay and others on story. The largest of these is Awakening, the only true expansion pack for Origins.
Dragon Age: Origins was BioWare’s latest massive success and an absolute must for any role-playing game fan.
Mass Effect 2
Jan. 26, 2010: Date of Publication
System Requirements: PC (Microsoft Windows), 360 (Xbox 360), 3 (PlayS
At long last, we reach Mass Effect 2, widely regarded as BioWare’s final masterpiece before the studio’s decline.
Two years have passed since the events of Mass Effect, and the gameplay has changed drastically. In particular, Mass Effect 2’s RPG elements were greatly toned down, and the game opted to focus more on action, making it feel more like a standard tactical role-playing game than an action role-playing game.
The story content, especially the 13 (counting the two DLC companions) masterfully written characters, reflected the game’s status as an RPG, however.
When compared to the original Mass Effect, Mass Effect 2’s downloadable content is vastly superior. There were a variety of downloadable content packs, some of which added new levels and story content and others which merely included new gear and customization options.
Featuring some of the best-written characters in a video game, Mass Effect 2 is undeniably a worthy sequel. In addition, there is a huge amount of material to explore, even if downloadable content is ignored.
Dragon Age II
Publication date: March 8, 2011
Windows, Mac OS X, Xbox 360, and PS3 are the supported platforms.
Since nothing lasts forever, it was inevitable that BioWare would experience a decline in their ability to produce consistently high-quality video games.
Following the events of Origins, Dragon Age II pushed the combat system in the direction of a more action-oriented model. Although it still relied on dice, this system made battles more action-packed and less tactical than in Origins.
The end result was an unsatisfying middle ground between fast-paced action RPGs and slower, more strategic Dungeons & Dragons-style battles.
Even so, there’s a lot of content to explore, and the game does have its redeeming qualities. In addition, it has received four downloadable content packs, three of which are focused on the game’s narrative.
Critics were generally pleased with the game in the end, but many players were disappointed by Dragon Age II because they felt the story and combat were too watered down compared to Origins.
Star Wars: The Old Republic
Dropping on the 20th of December, 2011
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Microsoft Windows is the platform.
A sequel to Knights of the Old Republic was released by BioWare in 2011, but it fell short of the expectations of many players.
Star Wars: The Old Republic is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) featuring a fully voice-acted story and an entirely new cast of characters, set some 300 years after the events of KotOR.
The story is surprisingly well-developed for an MMO, and the game features a dialogue wheel reminiscent of those in Mass Effect and Dragon Age II.
The combat is similar to that of other MMORPGs, requiring players to collaborate across damage, healing, and tanking classes to overcome the game’s most difficult obstacles.
After seeing its player base dwindle, The Old Republic switched to a free-to-play model from a subscription model in 2012. This occurred seven expansions ago.
The Old Republic stands out from other massively multiplayer online games (MMOs) because it places a premium on its story. Despite the game’s favorable critical reception, some fans felt an MMO was unnecessary and instead would have preferred a traditional single-player experience.
Mass Effect 3
Date of publication: March 6, 2012
Windows, Xbox 360, PS3, and Wii U are the supported platforms.
The controversial conclusion to the Mass Effect trilogy, Mass Effect 3, was released in 2012.
From a gameplay perspective, Mass Effect 3 did a great job of combining the best features of the first two games into a cohesive whole, resulting in an enjoyable action RPG that was smoother and more polished than its predecessor.
However, the game’s story was a letdown. It felt rushed and mishandled as it attempted to wrap up the many plot threads left over from the trilogy.
And, of course, there was the ending, which was a complete mess, seemingly discounting the player’s decisions throughout the entire three-part epic in favor of a single A, B, or C option that changed the visuals very slightly during the climax.
Thankfully, the ending was refined and the player was able to have some proper closure with their favorite characters in the game’s Extended Cut and Citadel downloadable content packs.
Although not as good as the first two games in the series, Mass Effect 3 is still enjoyable thanks to a number of additional single-player and multiplayer downloadable content packs.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
On sale: November 18th, 2014
Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation Vita
After the success of Dragon Age II, BioWare wanted to make sure they got everything right for the third installment. The end result was Dragon Age: Inquisition, which improved upon its predecessor in a number of ways but ultimately fell short of Origins.
Inquisition combined mechanics from both Origins and Dragon Age II. The reviews were mixed, and some players complained that the game played more like a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) than a traditional single-player role-playing adventure (RPG).
The story’s scope was expanded from its predecessor, and there were many new and interesting places to discover. However, Dragon Age: Origins continued to overshadow Inquisition.
While not quite as good as the original, Dragon Age: Inquisition is still a step above Dragon Age II and is definitely recommended.
Mass Effect: Andromeda
Date of publication: March 21st, 2017
PC (Microsoft), XB1 (Microsoft), PS4 (PlayStation 4)
Mass Effect: Andromeda is here, and it’s either the most or second most divisive BioWare game ever.
The Milky Way galaxy was abandoned in favor of a new setting in the fourth Mass Effect game, as suggested by the name.
Unfortunately, Andromeda fails to make the most of its open world by featuring interesting quests, interesting characters, or a compelling main story.
To be fair, Andromeda’s environments are stunning, and the combat system (now basically a full-on TPS with some RPG elements) would be quite good if it didn’t get stale so quickly due to the lack of variety that plagued the game at launch.
Due to the aforementioned problems, BioWare’s abortive attempts to fix the game, negative critical reception, and fan backlash, the developer decided to shelve the upcoming DLC and put the series on indefinite hold.
Anthem
Date of publication: 2-22-19
System Requirements: PC (Microsoft Windows), XB1 (Xbox One), PS4
As we’ve already mentioned, Anthem, BioWare’s newest game, is challenging our claim that Andromeda is either the most or second-most divisive of their titles.
To sum up, Anthem is what you’d get if you took the best and worst parts of Mass Effect: Andromeda and made the best parts even better and the worst parts even worse. Anthem, specifically, provides very little in the way of plot and personality.
Despite numerous gameplay improvements that lay the groundwork for what could have been a fun and engaging action RPG experience, they ultimately prove to be hardly relevant, and the game falls far short of what BioWare was once known for.
The game’s world is gorgeous, there are several different Javelin exoskeletons (i.e. classes), and the combat is well thought out.
Unfortunately, Anthem’s beautiful but empty world doesn’t offer much to players, and the game ultimately amounts to little more than a generic multiplayer action RPG “looter-shooter” in the vein of Destiny.
Many people believed that Anthem would be the end of BioWare because of its troubled development roadmap and dwindling player base. Nonetheless, unlike many other developers whose games underperformed, EA does not appear to have marched the studio to the guillotine, at least not yet.
What to Expect From Dragon Age, Mass Effect, and BioWare in 2022
BioWare Goals for 2022 and Beyond
General Manager Gary McKay looked back on 2021 and talked about how the studio adapted during the pandemic, how they’re working to win back the trust of their fans, and how they want each Elder Scrolls game to be a “seminal” moment in the industry. The most important takeaway for fans should be BioWare’s determination to restore its image by putting forth its best effort in its upcoming games.
Dragon Age 4 News in 2022
The development of Dragon Age 4 has been kept under wraps so far despite the release of a teaser trailer, concept arts, a concept trailer, a cinematic trailer, and more. Dragon Age 4’s announcement came in 2018, but that was so soon that the game still didn’t have a proper name. That was over three years ago, and since then, very little information has been released outside of concept art, and even less about the actual gameplay. Despite initial reports suggesting a substantial multiplayer mode, BioWare has stated on multiple occasions that Dragon Age 4 will be a single-player experience.
BioWare said it was “Excited for next year when [it] can talk more about what [it’s] working on” when it announced Dragon Age 4 wouldn’t be at The Game Awards 2021. Instead of saying “next year,” the phrase “that BioWare can talk more about it in 2022” is intriguing. Of course, developers can talk more about their games as release day approaches, but that may be picking at a phrase that isn’t really worth picking at. Despite the leak from Nvidia GeForce, it’s highly unlikely that Dragon Age 4 will be released until 2022. However, it’s possible that the game’s news cycle will begin in earnest this year.
That is to say, instead of more concept art, we might get actual details about the game. That probably means more trailers, the official name for Dragon Age 4, and details about Solas, Tevinter, the various factions, and any potential new companions or characters. This probably won’t happen until the end of the year, as it’s still highly unlikely that BioWare will show its entire hand this year. According to industry insider Jeff Grubb, Dragon Age 4 has a good chance of being released in 2023 if its news cycle picks up this year.
Mass Effect 4 Expectations in 2022
When compared to Dragon Age 4, Mass Effect is a bit of an outlier. The latter can be traced back along a discernible historical trajectory. When more resources were allocated to Anthem, the original version was scrapped, and when the new Dragon Age game was revealed in 2018, it became clear that this version was still in very early development. As a result, by 2022, fans will know that the new Dragon Age has, in a sense, been in development since 2018 and is thus entering its fourth year, give or take a year. A reasonable amount of time for development is five years, making 2023 a reasonable target date.
A 2019 report was the first to mention a new Mass Effect game, describing it as “super early in development.” A trailer for the game was shown at The Game Awards 2020, an entire year after BioWare first confirmed its development. Small reveals, such as a new poster for N7 Day, have followed Dragon Age’s lead. It’s hard to say which is further along in development because Dragon Age has slightly more content available right now, but only slightly. Roughly speaking, it appears that Mass Effect is lagging behind Dragon Age by a year in development, though the reliability of that metric and its usefulness in judging the progress of either game is a coin toss.
The most reasonable expectation is that later in the year, both franchises will continue with the same pattern of concept arts, small reveals, etc., if Dragon Age is planning a release in 2023 and if its new cycle were to pick up first. When news of Dragon Age 4 begins to pick up, it’s possible that attention will shift away from Mass Effect. If Dragon Age is successful, it will be followed by Mass Effect a year or two later. The best way for Mass Effect fans to control their expectations is to wait a year or so after seeing what new content is added to Dragon Age.
Future BioWare Games
After Anthem, it’s clear that single-player role-playing games will continue to be BioWare’s focus. Many fans have legitimate fears for the future of Dragon Age and Mass Effect, so the confirmation that neither game will feature live-service or multiplayer content is welcome news. But let’s keep our fingers crossed that BioWare is working on something fresh and innovative for solo players. Despite having learned its lesson from Anthem and realizing that Dragon Age and Mass Effect are the best way forward at the moment, the company’s ultimate goal is probably to achieve even greater success in the gaming industry.
Conclusion
That concludes the available BioWare titles. The release date of Dragon Age: The Dread Wolf Rises, announced by BioWare in 2018 and presumed to be a sequel to Dragon Age: Inquisition, remains unknown.
Meanwhile, please let us know in the comments if you think we’ve made any mistakes or left out any crucial information, and we’ll do our best to correct the article as soon as possible.
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