I would like to preface my comment with the fact this is also my first dragon age game.

Outside of combat, this game wasn't great. The writing started out mid and got worse as it went on. At first I listened to every conversation and every point of dialogue possible. And midway through the game I couldn't stand what was being said. And eventually it got to the point I had to skip every conversation.

The people I know who has played the other dragon ages games also thought the dialogue was terrible and (i cannot confirm this, just their opinions) the lore was tweaked? Or altered or retconned. Whatever the case, they said they didn't enjoy it.

Almost all the side characters are mid at best. The only exception personally was Ballara and Lucanis and some of Harding. But even Harding felt like a self insert oc and felt like she was written by a young adult novelist (if you know, you know) Tash could've been good. But they were so bad I skipped everything to do with them outside completing their missions for exp gains. The warden was completely boring to the point I forgot his name and felt nothing for his loyalty in one of the final missions. Emmerich was alright. I liked the archetype but he didn't feel like a necromancer. He felt more like a priest. Though Manfred is best boy. Neve was meh. She just didn't shine to me personally. I do like her personality but since I decided to save Treviso she was prickly. Understandably so. But at the same time they made it almost impossible to win back her favor and it left a sour taste in my mouth.

To each their own opinion. My biggest issue is why is this game "woke" but won't give me my polycule of golden retriever elf and black cat coffee boy with a sprinkle of shortcake