BioWare’s Legacy: Games That Define The EA Studio

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For many years, BioWare was considered one of the best video game developers in the world. Founded in 1995 in Edmonton, Canada, by three former medical students, the studio became known for creating immersive role-playing games with complex stories, movie-like scenes, and choices that truly mattered. BioWare reached its peak in the mid- to late-2000s, but that success didn’t continue.

BioWare, once known for consistently releasing top-tier role-playing games, has struggled with a series of disappointing releases lately. While recent games have had some enjoyable elements, it’s been over ten years since they created a truly classic title – something they used to do regularly. Now, with EA being sold, the future of BioWare and other EA studios is uncertain. With no new games announced, many are worried about what’s to come. However, BioWare is still working, likely on *Mass Effect 5*, so let’s celebrate their incredible history by looking back at the five games that define their legacy as one of the best RPG developers in the industry.

Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows Of Amn

The Rise To Greatness

Though *Baldur’s Gate* was a hit for BioWare, it was still one of their first games, following the less popular *Shattered Steel*. For the sequel, the developers promised to spend more time refining their game engine and fixing issues from the first game. They delivered on that promise with *Baldur’s Gate 2: Shadows of Amn*, which wasn’t just a successful follow-up when it launched in September 2000—many considered it one of the best role-playing games of all time.

Even now, *Baldur’s Gate 2* ranks among the best PC games ever made, according to Metacritic. Players loved its engaging combat, and features like dual-wielding and detailed character creation let everyone experience a personal story. Though common now, these elements were groundbreaking in 2000. The game’s branching conversations, morality choices, and expansive levels truly changed the RPG landscape. *Baldur’s Gate 2* confirmed that BioWare wasn’t a one-hit wonder; they were masters of the RPG genre, building on the success of the original *Baldur’s Gate*.

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

Refinement And Innovation

Back in the summer of 2000, before *Baldur’s Gate 2* became a huge success, BioWare revealed they were working with LucasArts on a *Star Wars* role-playing game. They were presented with two choices: create a game based on *Star Wars: Episode 2 – Attack of the Clones*, or set their game 4,000 years before the movies in a largely unexplored era of the *Star Wars* universe. They opted for the latter, drawn by the opportunity for creative freedom, and that’s how development began on Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic.

Calling *KOTOR* a success doesn’t quite capture how impactful it was. It earned numerous Game of the Year awards from well-known sources like IGN, G4, and PC Gamer, and was celebrated for being easy to pick up and play. Even now, few RPGs are as highly regarded as *Knights of the Old Republic*. It captivated players with its gameplay, memorable characters, and especially its incredible story. Though some of its mechanics feel dated now – something a long-awaited remake might fix – the story remains one of the best ever written for an RPG.

Mass Effect 2

Magnum Opus

The original *Mass Effect* wasn’t a failure, but it wasn’t a massive hit either. Critics liked the story and how much you could customize your character, but the combat, side quests, and character progression felt uneven. For the sequel, BioWare listened to that feedback and worked to improve everything – they wanted a larger story, more things to do, and better action. Director Casey Hudson said the team wasn’t just aiming to make *another* game, but a truly immersive *experience*. And they succeeded.

Many fans still consider *Mass Effect 2* to be BioWare’s masterpiece. The game features a compelling story filled with intense action and heartfelt character development. Its combat skillfully combines the excitement of a third-person shooter with the depth of a role-playing game. Every companion quest is outstanding, raising the bar for BioWare’s future titles and RPGs in general. All of this builds to a final mission that many consider the best in video game history. *Mass Effect 2* is a rare example of a game where every element works together flawlessly, showcasing one of the industry’s leading RPG developers at their peak.

Dragon Age: Origins

Perfecting The Genre

While Dragon Age: Origins shares roots with the classic Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, it quickly establishes its own identity. Unlike those games, and many others, it doesn’t use a top-down, isometric view, though you can switch to it if you prefer. Instead, it offers a pulled-back, third-person perspective. Battles aren’t fully real-time either; they’re similar to the system in KOTOR, but more dynamic. You give commands, activate abilities, and then watch them unfold. Plus, you can pause at any time to plan your strategy, making combat very tactical.

What truly sets this game apart is its story. The characters are incredibly well-written and brought to life by a fantastic voice cast, and your choices genuinely matter, leading to surprising and meaningful consequences for both your character and the world around you. Fans widely consider it the best game in the *Dragon Age* series, and many believe it’s one of the greatest role-playing games of all time. Whether or not BioWare has matched its success in later games, *Dragon Age: Origins* remains a landmark achievement in the RPG genre.

Anthem

The Fall From Grace

BioWare was known for creating excellent single-player role-playing games, but its parent company, EA, was eager to jump into the world of ongoing, live-service games. EA hoped one of its best studios could deliver, and that studio turned out to be BioWare. It was clear to many that this wasn’t a good fit – BioWare’s strengths didn’t align with this type of game – but development on *Anthem* continued anyway, though not without some internal hesitation.

BioWare’s *Anthem* had a troubled development, with core gameplay features like flying added very late in the process. It never quite lived up to the standards set by the studio’s previous games. While the flying itself is excellent and a good reason to play before the servers shut down in January 2026, almost everything else – the way you progress, the story, the rewards, and the endgame content – feels unfinished and disappointing. *Anthem* was a significant failure, the first in BioWare’s history since its early days, and it started a downward trend the studio is still struggling with. Despite BioWare’s impressive track record, *Anthem*’s release was a turning point that could ultimately lead to the studio’s decline. Hopefully, this beloved developer can regain its footing and return to the level of quality that made it so successful for years.

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2025-10-16 00:58