The Hardest Decisions In BioWare RPGs, Ranked

Key Takeaways

In BioWare RPGs, players face tough choices with moral dilemmas that can irreversibly change their playthrough.
The games present complex, morally gray choices, like saving characters or making decisions affecting entire worlds.
Players must make emotionally weighty decisions, considering the consequences and relationships with in-game characters.

As a seasoned adventurer who has traversed the treacherous lands of Thedas, I’ve seen my fair share of characters that walk the fine line between hero and villain. Loghain, the usurper, is one such character whose fate left many players torn. His seemingly irredeemable actions during The Grey Warden’s adventures made it challenging to envision a brighter future for him. However, depending on the choices we made during our journey through Ferelden, there were several possible conclusions to his tale.

In the realm of RPGs, BioWare truly shines by centering gameplay around character development and player decision-making. As a fan, I can attest that whether you’re fighting to save Ferelden from the Fifth Blight in Dragon Age: Origins or preventing a riot in the Peninsula District of Neverwinter, you’ll often find yourself grappling with challenging decisions and moral quandaries throughout your adventure. These choices can have profound and lasting impacts on your gaming experience, potentially altering the direction of your entire playthrough.

In many games, putting players into the perspective of their character helps emphasize the differences between right and wrong actions. Yet, solutions aren’t always clear-cut, and sometimes, game scenarios from BioWare lean towards the ethically ambiguous realm of storytelling.

8 Become The New Emperor

Jade Empire

The Hardest Decisions In BioWare RPGs, Ranked

“Jade Empire, one of BioWare’s lesser-known masterpieces, may have been released at an inconvenient time, either too late or too early, preventing it from receiving the recognition it deserved. The combat, while stylish and somewhat repetitive, is enjoyable, as are the charming characters. Although Jade Empire shares some similarities with Knights of the Old Republic in terms of morality and player choice, it remains an entertaining game.

One of the few more complex choices made in the game can be when picking one of three endings. Players, depending on their choice of morality, can submit to the emperor, who is the protagonist’s past mentor and has since become the game’s primary antagonist, or they can take on the power of the Water Dragon instead of freeing it, in order to make themselves the emperor of a world that’s otherwise bound to end. Jade Empire’s three separate endings don’t garner much more than a simple epilogue cutscene – but many issues arise when players consider the actual implications of each end, whether hopeful or not.

7 The Sunry Murder Trial

Star Wars: Knights Of The Old Republic

As a space-faring enthusiast drawn into a pulsating interstellar trial, I find myself appointed as Sunry’s Arbiter, a role that combines the duties of both a lawyer and detective in the cosmos. My mission is to collect evidence, question witnesses, and unravel the mystery behind Elassa’s murder. This case is all about using my cunning or charm to navigate the intricate web of suspects surrounding me.

In the game, players have the option to stand by Sunry without solid proof that he murdered Elassa or come to understand that he was indeed responsible for her death, depending on the storyline’s advancement. The game’s response varies based on numerous factors. Was it clear why Sunry took his mistress’s life? If so, did the discovery of Elassa’s Sith background justify the act? The primary difficulty in this scenario lies in what details are initially overlooked and what is left to player interpretation upon first playthrough.

6 The Vette and Taurian Ultimatum

Star Wars: The Old Republic – Knights Of The Fallen Empire

Over the course of the game, the characters Vette and Taurian have formed an exceptionally strong bond with the player, making them endearing figures. Since they’ve been part of the storyline from the start, their narratives reach a dramatic point where they both find themselves in dire straits, with only one being possible to save.

The choice might be more about the player’s personal feelings towards their in-game companions, favoring one over the other. This preference could impact the journey significantly as choosing one means the other will no longer be part of the storyline. Regardless of the choice made, it may leave a bitter-sweet feeling since both outcomes mean parting ways with a cherished character. There’s no right or wrong decision here; it’s simply a difficult and emotional choice to make.

5 Jaxo’s Trolley Problem

Star Wars: The Old Republic

During your space adventure in this multiplayer role-playing game that is a spin-off from BioWare’s two-part series, “Knights of the Old Republic,” if you choose to begin as a Trooper, you’ll form a robust relationship with Ava Jaxo, a determined Sergeant who is relentless in her mission to eradicate criminal organizations on Coruscant.

The climax of the player’s interactions with Jaxo occurs when she gets captured as an Imperial Prisoner, forcing the players to rescue her. Upon arrival at the complex, they learn that her capture was a deliberate trap set to ensnare them, aiming to capture and eventually kill them. After navigating through dangerous encounters to evade their grasp, The Old Republic presents the players with a difficult decision: save Jaxo or the 300 Imperial prisoners onboard the vessel. This is reminiscent of the classic “trolley problem” dilemma – while Jaxo is known to be a good person, is her life worth more than the lives of the 300 prisoners, each with their unique stories and lives?

4 The Fate Of The Architect

Dragon Age Origins (Awakening DLC)

Among the challenging choices BioWare offers players, one stands out: whether to eliminate or spare The Architect, a remarkably intelligent Darkspawn who yearns for eternal harmony among all races in Thedas. Yet, his past deeds are not easily dismissed.

The architect is skilled at deception, yet the players have ample reasons to punish him due to his role in unleashing the fifth Blight. However, if spared, he offers an alliance with the Grey Wardens to aid them against a formidable enemy. He even implies that he will join forces with the iconic Grey Warden to eradicate The Blight permanently. Despite his noble end-goal, his actions often cause more harm than good in pursuit of his ambitions. Nevertheless, his expertise on Darkspawn could be crucial for the Grey Wardens, and if he keeps his promise, sparing him might avert another Blight altogether. Ultimately, the decision to spare or eliminate him lies with the player, but it’s essential to remember his carefully planned history of genocide.

3 Loghain’s Fate

Dragon Age: Origins

In The Grey Warden’s journey, Loghain’s character often appears beyond redemption, leading one to think his fate might be death. Yet, depending on the decisions players make during their initial trip through Ferelden, Loghain’s story can take many unexpected turns.

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but ponder about Loghain. Though he seemed almost vanquished when his destiny hung in the balance, he still commands a devoted following who, if unchecked, could pose a significant threat. However, imagine the potential benefits if we could turn him into a Grey Warden, compelling him to slay the Arch-Demon himself. This would not only spare my Grey Warden from a grim demise but also eliminate the necessity for the Dark Ritual altogether. If managed correctly, Loghain, with his newfound allegiance to the Wardens, could prove invaluable. Yet, I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t be safer to bring an end to his tyranny once and for all.

2 Anders’ Crusade

Dragon Age 2

After Anders destroys the Chantry at the end of Dragon Age 2, it becomes evident that he has crossed a line in his struggle against the Templars. Although his intentions may be understandable, the game repeatedly demonstrates the brutal treatment of mages in Kirkwall, making it clear that Anders’ actions have gone too far.

Anders manipulates Hawke into unwittingly giving him the final component for his explosive device meant to destroy the Chantry. It was evident that Anders’ actions were bound to boil over, given his inner turmoil amplified by his bond with a vengeful demon. Despite anticipating forgiveness from Hawke, Anders is a tormented individual who loses self-control when possessed. While there may be reasons for sparing him, the destruction caused by the ensuing explosion has only heightened tensions around the Mages of Ferelden. This attack was short-sighted as no side benefited from it. Whether Anders deserves a chance at redemption is a decision left to Hawke, but he doesn’t appear remorseful about his actions.

1 Here Lies The Abyss

Dragon Age: Inquisiton

Throughout the “Here Lies The Abyss” adventure, the Inquisitor along with their allies stormed the fortified Adamant Castle, aiming to halt Corpyreus’ tainted Grey Wardens from conjuring additional terrifying entities from the mysterious realm known as The Rift.

As time passes, things take a turn for the worse, causing the Inquisition to become entangled deep within the Fade and pursued by the dreaded Nightmare, the Fear Demon. After a grueling conflict, the group finds an opportunity to break free. However, Nightmare remains undefeated, forcing the Inquisitor into a difficult predicament: save Hawke, the main character from the previous game, or rescue the accompanying Grey Warden. This Grey Warden could be either beloved series character Alistair or noble Stroud, depending on choices made in earlier games. Regardless of the choice, it’s a tough decision, as players have grown attached to Hawke due to their role in Dragon Age 2. On the other hand, Alistair is a fan-favorite and the last hope for guiding the now scattered Grey Wardens.

2024-09-29 19:06