Dragon Age: Origins Leliana's Song review

To give fans of the Dragon Age series a little more backstory Bioware has released a new downloadable side story detailing how everyone’s favorite bard made her way to the Chantry. (Morrigan disapproves -10)

Leliana’s Song tells the story of the bard, Leliana, in her last mission before she joined the Chantry. Working with her mentor, Marjolaine, in Ferelden a young Leliana begins her mission causing minor trouble in the city of Denerim with the help of her two companions Sketch, the apostate mage, and Tug, the foul mouthed dwarf. After knocking out a few guards, stealing some store items ,killing someone who couldn’t keep quiet and helping to ruin the career of a guard Leliana and her party return to Marjolaine.

From there the real mission and story begin as they break into the Arl’s home with the intention of planting documents to get someone in serious trouble. After making it into the castle and planting the documents Leliana notices something strange and upon returning to their hideout has a few words with her mentor about what is going on. This is as far as this reviewer will go into detail about the story of the DLC as there is always a chance someone is yet to play the main game.

For those that have played the game, you know that Leliana eventually finds her way to the Chantry and from there to the Grey Warden. Along her journey in this DLC the player will see those members of the Chantry that inspired Leliana and eventually gave her a cause, including Dorathea, a Revered Mother from the Chantry in Orlais now living in Ferelden and also someone who was betrayed by Marjolaine.

The story itself was very interesting and filled with lots of betrayal, intrigue and of course fighting. Averaging maybe two hours it isn’t very long but enjoyable and for the price, $7.00, it isn’t a bad deal as far as Bioware related DLC for games goes. Players are given the chance to truly learn the origins of one of the main party’s characters, and love interest. Leliana’s tale is a sad one and worth playing.

The combat plays just as one would expect, exactly like Dragon Age: Origins, with a three person party instead of the typical four during the main campaign. Players can also unlock new armor for Leliana, the Battledress of the Provocateur, as well as a few achievements for those of you looking to up your Gamerscore.

Overall Leliana’s Song is one of the better Dragon Age: Origins downloadable side stories, the others are good but this one did an exceptional job of letting the player learn even more about one of the party members and the story itself was impressive. For $7.00 it is a pretty good deal considering the story and content you get out of it.

Dragon Age: Origins Leliana’s Song is available now for the Xbox 360, for 560MS points, PC, for 560 Bioware points and the PlayStation 3 for $6.99. For more information about the DLC visit the Official Site.

(This review is based on a full play through of Leliana’s Song on the Xbox 360 that took roughly two hours to complete while unlocking two achievements.)

If you would like to purchase Dragon Age: Origins or its expansion, Dragon Age: Origins Awakening, they are available at your local game stores. Here are the listings for some of the game stores in the Las Cruces and Albuquerque areas for those of you interested as well as a link to my review of Dragon Age: Origins Awakening for the Xbox 360.

Best Buy
2280 E Lohman Ave
Las Cruces, NM 88001
Phone: 575-528-0583

Game Stop 2633
(575) 647-8809
1455 HICKORY DR
Las Cruces, NM 88005

GameStop - Mall 4215
(575) 522-0008
700 S. TELSHOR BLVD
LAS CRUCES, NM 88011

Game Stop 1638
(505) 275-2157
330 Eubank NE
Albuquerque, NM 87123

Game Stop 2294
(505) 883-4350
4411 SAN MATEO BLVD NE
Albuquerque, NM 87109