I think Alrik's likely right, unfortunately. It's a sad fact that an awful lot of people look at a game that earned immense popularity and draw all the wrong conclusions as to why.

DA:O features some very well crafted companions, some of whom you can have relationships with. And you have to build those relationships carefully through dialogue, shared experience and the giving of suitable gifts. But you know what far too many people will see? "OMG! Bioware included SEX!!! And it SOLD!!!" No noting of the careful build of relationships. No looking at just how well crafted the characters of the companions are. Nope. All down to sex, you can bet...

Possibly most depressing of all, even Bioware don't seem to understand what they actually created with DA:O, which is why the huge negative reaction from many DA:O fans over DA2, which has apparently learned all the wrong lessons...

DA:O was successful because it was basically 'Baldur's Gate 3', but with the basic idea updated for a modern audience. It was the story and the characterisation that made it what it was and the rest was pretty much incidental to its success, IMO. I very strongly doubt that anyone at all played it purely for the fighting.

But everyone will have their own take on why DA:O worked. For a lot of people, the reasons will likely include 'dark' or 'grim & gritty', and people in the industry who think that will make games more 'grim & gritty' because they assume that is what works.

Now personally, I don't care if a game is 'grim & gritty' or 'prim & pretty' - I just want believable characters and a good, well plotted story that makes sense. I suspect I am not alone...

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