I will preface this by saying that illustration is important, and a discount within the sexual range of Dragon Age characters isn’t what I am advocating for in any respect. I am merely in favour of Dragon Age persevering with its historic strategy to companion romance, i.e. each companion has an outlined sexuality, fairly than the strategy Baldur’s Gate 3 takes that makes each character pansexual, or maybe a extra becoming time period, ‘playersexual’.
Romance in RPGs is a subject we have already tackled right here at DualShockers. Jervon Perkins enjoys the fixed intimacy of Baldur’s Gate 3 and wish to see extra of this in Veilguard, I’ve written on how fewer, extra developed romances are sometimes a very good factor, and I will echo among the arguments that Matthew Schomer has already made relating to companion sexuality right here.
It is incredible {that a} vary of sexualities are current in these video games, however how genuine is that this illustration if these characters are moulded to the preferences of the participant? It nearly appears like these romances aren’t fairly real. I really like Baldur’s Gate 3 however oftentimes the romance comes throughout as very fan service-y as each companion consistently throws themselves on the participant. It is a extra light-hearted, sexually charged strategy to romance however one which lacks that real feeling of connection.
Genuine Illustration
The romance in Dragon Age Inquisition is locked behind the sexual preferences of its companions and feels extra genuine in consequence. There are two bisexual romances, a male-only homosexual romance, a female-only homosexual romance and 4 heterosexual romances. The connection between Dorian and a male inquisitor is gorgeous partially as a result of Dorian has struggled with the social implications of his sexuality, making the connection between the 2 extra rewarding.
There is a counter-argument to the above that the portrayal of societal homophobia breaks the escapism of the sport for the LGBTQ+ neighborhood. However, for individuals who have skilled discrimination related to their sexuality, I feel that sort of actual illustration could be very beneficial and ought to be inspired. An analogous argument emerged in on-line circles relating to Baldur’s Gate 3 and racism in opposition to Tieflings, and whether or not it was ‘an excessive amount of’.
In the same vein, in the event you attempt to flirt with Sera as a male Inquisitor then she’ll rapidly reduce you off, telling you that she’s lesbian, she solely likes women and that is that. It is refreshing and never one thing you see a whole lot of in RPGs that both have each character open to the participant or do not allow you to broach the subject in any respect in the event you’re not sexually aligned with that companion. It makes these characters really feel like actual folks and never simply extensions of the participant’s fantasies. These are fantasy video games, and it is actually a sound strategy to participant fulfilment, however I feel Dragon Age is extra nuanced on this regard.
It is also, in some methods, a extra genuine illustration. Not each member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood is pansexual, or sexually open to all genders. Having characters that characterize these subsets of the neighborhood is essential. In fact, it is advisable have sexual selection amongst companions to make sure illustration. I feel Inquisition did a incredible job in various the sexuality of its characters, and I might like to see BioWare embrace one other transgender character like Krem in Veilguard (possibly whilst a full companion?).
Now, you possibly can clearly have pansexual romance choices, too. That is fully legitimate. I particularly take pleasure in it when the characters incorporate their pansexuality into their character and experiences. I truly assume Dragon Age: Origins did fairly a very good job with Leliana and Zevran, two characters that had been completely pansexual, and mentioned as a lot to the Warden.
There are sections of the neighborhood who will disagree with me, and that is okay. I’ve seen feedback expressing annoyance that feminine Inquisitors cannot seduce Cassandra as a result of they need a butch lesbian romance, or that you could’t be homosexual with Alistair in Origins. For my part, having a powerful girl or a soft-hearted man be heterosexual is totally effective, and it speaks to the authenticity of sexual illustration in Dragon Age.
The strategy taken by Baldur’s Gate 3 is actually legitimate and it is sensible within the Forgotten Realms setting the place the default setting for everybody seems to be pansexual, however I really like that Dragon Age might be consultant whereas additionally being analogous to the actual world. It is a sequence that tackles complicated subjects however provides everybody somebody to root for. I hope BioWare does not resort to easy fan service of their upcoming sport.
