Dragon Age 2 is a game with many flaws. Repetitive maps, plot choices that aren't actually choices, and the same inconsistent difficulty levels that plagued its acclaimed predecessor, Dragon Age: Origins. Dragon Age 2 is also a game that features a compelling personal narrative, memorable characters, and a fun-as-heck combat system. It is easy to love the game and be extremely annoyed by it in the same sitting. Go to any forum on the internet and you will see the same refrain from fans lamenting 'what Dragon Age 2 could have been!'
Well, some good news to those fans: Bioware is listening. Mark of the Assassin, like its predecessor Legacy, was designed with much of this fan feedback in mind, and both DLCs offer an entertaining and sometimes welcome break from the occasional tedium of DA2's main plot.
It's Not Always a Trap
While Legacy ramped up the personal stake for Hawke, the game's protagonist, Mark of the Assassin instead drops you into a good old fashioned heist adventure where (of course) nothing is as it seems. Indeed, this DLC is unique for a number of reasons. Despite the new (and enjoyable) stealth-based gameplay and new combat elements, the biggest, and perhaps riskiest, move by Bioware is the inclusion of 'geek heroine' Felicia Day (The Guild, Dr. Horrible, Buffy,) as not only the star of the DLC but also as a collaborator.
Released alongside the web series Dragon Age: Redemption (also starring Day who is given writing and creative credit for the series) Mark of the Assassin introduces players to Tallis (played and voiced by Day), an elven assassin who serves as the star of both the series and DLC.
I will admit to being very leery of Mark of the Assassin when it was first announced, as I thought the inclusion of Day was a little too gimmicky. I will say confidently my fears were completely unfounded.
From the first meeting with Tallis to the inevitable twist and on through to the ultimate payoff, it is clear that Day took her role very seriously. The character and personality of Tallis are well defined, and I was very dismayed when I could not take her back with my Hawke to the main plot. The voice-acting in general in the DLC is solid Bioware, but Day deserves special mention, as her performance is top-notch.
Ok, Sometimes It's a Trap
Honestly, the only trouble with Mark of the Assassin is its brevity, and the unfortunate fact that it further highlighted the flaws of the main game once I finished the adventure. It's a shame that more of the gameplay elements (not to mention Tallis herself) introduced in the DLC didn't find their way into DA2 proper.
At any rate, Dragon Age 2 remains a compelling though flawed game, with a still-devoted following. Mark of the Assassin serves as an excellent love-letter from Bioware to fans, as well as a hopeful reminder that the creators do listen to 'us fans.'
If nothing else, this new content makes me very excited for Dragon Age 3 (or even more DA2 DLC.) I will say that whatever comes, I really hope we haven't seen the last of Tallis.
If you haven't already, grab this DLC, you won't be disappointed!
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