Dragon Age 4, the upcoming fantasy RPG from BioWare, is on track to release in 2023. As the fourth title in the beloved fantasy series,Dragon Age 4will return players to the world of Thedas. Comparisons are often drawn between theDragon AgeandMass Effectseries, as the two share a lot of gameplay beats despite their respective fantasy and sci-fi genres.
Because of this connection, all theDragon AgeandMass Effectgames have Easter eggs referencing the other series.Mass Effectcame first, and therefore there are plenty of references to it fromDragon Age: Originsonward. Here are all theMass EffectEaster eggsacross the entireDragon Ageseries.
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Mass Effect Easter Eggs in Dragon Age 1 and 2
The very firstMass EffectEaster egg inDragon Age: Originsis a Codex entrycalled Load Limit Reached. It references a dwarf named Shepard and a slow elevator, which is a common jab at the firstMass Effectgame.
The only other reference inDragon Age: Originsis a gravestone in Haven with “T.O. Hanoi. Unloved, unmourned” written on it. This is a reference to the Tower of Hanoi puzzle that BioWare put in many of its previous games, includingMass Effect 1.
Dragon Age 2released a year afterMass Effect 2, and has a few more references to its sister series. The first is a Templar named Conrad Vernhart from the mission How to Frame a Templar. This is a reference toConrad Verner, Shepard’s annoying fanand wannabe impersonator from theMass Effectseries.
The other threeMass Effectreferences inDragon Age 2can all be found in theMark of the AssassinDLC. The first is the most obvious: a krogan head mounted on the wall of Chateau Haine’s trophy room. The second is a dagger wielded by the elven assassin Tallis, which is named Thane after the drell assassin inMass Effect 2. The third is the line, “Terrible risk, but the prize,” spoken by Duke Prosper. This is a direct quote fromJacob Taylor’s romance inMass Effect 2. While the Duke was referring to hunting a wyvern, Jacob was talking about sneaking into Shepard’s quarters.
Mass Effect Easter Eggs in Dragon Age: Inquisition
WhileDragon Age 1and 2 only contain a fewMass Effectreferences,Dragon Age: Inquisitiongoes all out. For example, Cole is an unusual companion inDragon Age: Inquisition, seemingly unbound from time and space. Many of his cryptic lines are Easter eggs, most of which would only be recognizable to hardcore fans:
Repeating the sameMass Effectreference fromDragon Age 2, many locations inDragon Age: Inquisitionfeature krogan heads mounted on walls. These include Grand Duke Gaspard’s trophy room in the Winter Palace, and the Castle of Caer Oswin.
There are also a few casual lines fromcompanions inDragon Age: Inquisitionthat are references toMass Effect. At one point Cullen will refer to having to “calibrate the trebuchets,” something he apparently does a lot. This refers to Garrus' repetitive line inMass Effect 2for when he doesn’t have a new topic to discuss with Shepard.
A conversation between Varric and Sera will cause the dwarf rogue to mention “reach and flexibility.” This refers to a story that Garrus tells about a female turian sparring partner-turned-lover. In both the wrestling match and the bedroom, he had reach while she had flexibility.
In theDescentDLC, Dorian will complain about the speed of the elevators, and suggest adding muzak. This is another reference to the infamously slow elevator loading screens of theoriginalMass Effect.
The finalMass Effectreference inDragon Agecomes from the third verse of the songThe Dawn Will Come, sung by the characters after the fall of Haven. The verse goes “The Shepard’s lost / And his home is far / Keep to the stars / The dawn will come,” which seems to reference Commander Shepard and their adventures across the galaxy.
