Summary
Dragon Age 2has now been out for over 13 years, and withDragon Age: The Veilguard’s release just around the corner, it’s worth looking back at what content was cut fromDragon Age 2during its development. Like any game,Dragon Age 2met the chopping block several times during development, changing its characters, story, and quests in the process.
Dragon Age 2’s predecessor,Dragon Age: Origins, had much more substantial content cuts than the sequel. In fact, much ofDragon Age 2’s cut content could be considered rewrites instead, as BioWare simply ended up incorporating different elements into the game than it originally intended. That being said, hadDragon Age 2’s cut content made it to the game’s final release, it would have been a different experience in many ways.
Everything That Was Cut From Dragon Age 2
Several Dragon Age 2 Characters Were Originally Written in Differently
Among the things both cut from and rewritten inDragon Age 2before its release were several of its characters. One of the most notable near rewrites involved the characterAnders, who appeared inDragon Age: Origins' Awakening DLCand then returned inDragon Age 2, having merged with the Fade spirit Justice, to help other mages who are oppressed by the Chantry. However,Dragon Age 2writers almost considered Velanna as the Awakening character who would fill that role inDragon Age 2. Another character from Awakening originally intended to reappear inDragon Age 2was Ser Pounce-a-lot, Anders' kitten.
Interestingly enough, BioWare simply didn’t have enough time to make another model, or the cat would have shown up in Anders' Clinic inDragon Age 2.
Shale, the stone golem players can recruit inDragon Age: Origins' Stone Prisoner DLC, was initially going to appear in a quest called “Finding Shale,” but the quest was eventually replaced with “Finding Nathaniel.” Merin, the surface dwarf who traveled into the Deep Roads in search of treasure during the “Fool’s Gold” side quest, also went through a rewrite, as he was initially supposed to join the Grey Wardens as long as he survived the quest. Orsino, one ofDragon Age 2’s bosses, was actually supposed to be friendly towards Hawke if the player chose to side with the mages, but BioWare made him a permanent boss because it felt the game needed another one.
Connor Guerrin, the son of Arl Eamon Guerrin, was originally supposed to appear inDragon Age 2alongside his uncle Teagan Guerrin as a circle mage, so long as he made it throughDragon Age: Originswithout being possessed. Finally,Dragon Age 2’s Exiled Prince DLC, which centered around Sebastian Vael and his quest to avenge the murder of his family, was initially intended to revolve around Nathaniel Howe instead, who first appeared inDragon Age: Origins' Awakening DLC.
Some Story Beats Never Made It to Dragon Age 2’s Final Cut
Alongside all the character cuts and rewrites that took place duringDragon Age 2’s development were several story cuts as well. Firstly, there was initially a story beat where either Hawke or Bethany would be pursued by the templars, thereby pushing them into the Deep Roads because they would need to leave town. Secondly, if players chose to make their Hawke a mage, they would have originally experienced a plot that sawHawke going into the Fade, but the story elements ended up being a bit too complicated to incorporate.
InDragon Age 2’s Legacy DLC, Shrieks were originally intended to appear, but BioWare decided to cut them. Also, just as Varric tells a theatrical rendition of the prologue, each Act inDragon Age 2was initially supposed to have its own dramatization after its final boss fight. A final piece of cut story content forDragon Age 2would have seen Hawke encountering Cassandra personally at some point, and the Grand Cleric of the Free Marches, Elthina, would have been involved in this somehow.
Many of Dragon Age 2’s Original Quests Were Cut Before Release
Several quests never made it toDragon Age 2’s final cut, either. For example, depending on whether Carver, Hawke’s younger brother, joins the Grey Wardens over the Templar Order, there was originally a quest that saw Merrill comforting Hawke. Additionally, in the final part of the questline for “The Bone Pit,” players were initially going to be tasked with saving both the miners and Jansen. Hubert would have also known about theHigh Dragon, and the rescued miners would have demanded that Hubert pay them for the trouble.
If the player had forged Vigilance during the “Worked to the Bone” quest inDragon Age: Origins' Awakening DLC and completed the quest, Hawke would have been able to recover theweapon inDragon Age 2. Finally, a quest that would have seen players searching for the Gorathan Sharok or “The Hero of Kal-Sharok” treasure beneath the deep roads was cut fromDragon Age 2’s Legacy DLC, though the reasons for cutting the quest are unknown.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
WHERE TO PLAY
Enter the world of Thedas, a vibrant land of rugged wilderness, treacherous labyrinths, and glittering cities – steeped in conflict and secret magics. Now, a pair of corrupt ancient gods have broken free from centuries of darkness and are hellbent on destroying the world.Thedas needs someone they can count on. Rise as Rook, Dragon Age’s newest hero. Be who you want to be and play how you want to play as you fight to stop the gods from blighting the world. But you may’t do this alone – the odds are stacked against you. Lead a team of seven companions, each with their own rich story to discover and shape, and together you will become The Veilguard.
