BioWare was founded 25 years ago. Over the years, the studio has produced some of the most beloved video games of all time and have developed a reputation as innovators in the industry. Known for their focus on storytelling and characters, BioWare games are favorites because of the connections people feel with their characters and games.
These story and character moments all build on each other until the climax of the story, resulting in explosive and memorable events and character moments. Below are some of the best across BioWare's career as a developer, ranging from Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic to Dragon Age: Inquisition.
10 Curing the Genophage (Mass Effect 3)
Curing the Genophage in Mass Effect 3 is the culmination of three games of lore and thousands of years of history. It takes Commander Shepard from the Salarian homeworld to Tuchanka, the birthplace of the krogan. You work with two fan-favorite past companions, Wrex (if you let him live in Mass Effect 1) and Mordin. There's a kaiju-esque between Kalros (the mother of all thresher maws) and a Reaper.
If the player allows Mordin to go up to the control console (and hasn't sabotaged the cure), the mission ends with Mordin's heroic death, as he works to undo the damage he caused. Emotional punches, awesome visuals and a satisfying resolution to one of the biggest questions in Mass Effect, curing the Genophage has it all.
9 The Battle on the Star Forge (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)
The climax of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic is the final confrontation between friends turned enemies, Revan and Malak. You, as Revan, fight your way through the ancient factory's defenses and endless hordes of dark Jedi and droids. You confront two old friends along the way: first, Bastila. This confrontation with her hits all the emotions, where you navigate a conversation that decides her fate.
You then move on to Malak where, in a final confrontation, you defeat your old apprentice. Malak asks you to consider the path you led him on, and how it was Revan, not he, who was destined to lead the galaxy. This battle is a triumph of writing and ties up the themes, characters and story. As Malak dies, he leaves these final words: "And in the end, as the darkness takes me, I am nothing."
8 Confronting the Shadowbroker (Mass Effect 2)
The presence of the Shadowbroker looms over Mass Effect and becomes a central antagonistic force come Mass Effect 2 when they compete with Cerberus and the Collectors for Shepard's body after they die. This comes to a head in the Rise of the Shadow Broker DLC, where Liara tracks down the Shadow Broker and overthrows him.
This DLC is centered on Shepard's relationship with the Asari, whose life during Shepard's two years of absence has changed. The two reconnect, and the final showdown with the huge and terrifying Shadow Broker is a battle won through teamwork with an old friend.
7 The Landsmeet (Dragon Age: Origins)
Not as flashy as some of the other moments on this list, the Landsmeet is instead the culmination of the Warden's political alliances and sets the path of Ferelden's future. You arrive in Denerim, the capital of Ferelden, and immediately start the task of dismantling Loghain's political power base, starting with his allies. You then make a deal with the future monarch of Ferelden: Alistair or Anora.
It's the combination of preparation, political alliances, the exploration of Denerim and the final showdown with Loghain that makes the Landsmeet one of the highlights of Dragon Age: Origins.
6 Talking to Vigil (Mass Effect)
A much-needed respite from the madness of chasing Saren, the conversation with Vigil is a quiet moment where we get a moment to mourn a civilization long dead. Vigil is found on Ilos, an ancient Prothean world that became lost to time. You fight the Geth on Ilos through the ruins of the Prothean city at the climax of Mass Effect and stumble across the ancient VI. Vigil tells you of the Protheans, the people destroyed by the Reapers 50,000 years before. This moment adds gravity to Shepard's mission and creates an emotional connection which elevates Mass Effect to one of the greatest games of all time.
5 The Race to Solas (Dragon Age: Inquisition)
After the bombshell after-credits scene where it was revealed Solas was Fen'Harel and the orb was his, fans had a million questions with no answers. Cue Trespasser, the final ending to Inquisition. As the Inquisitor journeys through the Crossroads beyond the eluvians and witnesses the actions of the evanuris and the creation of the Veil, the answers are given to us one by one.
Not alone on this chase, the Qunari seek the same answers and the DLC culminates in a race to reach Solas, featuring an exploding hand and a terrifying qunari Saarebas powered up with a lot of Lyrium. The final confrontation is a conversation, where Solas makes everything clear and paves the way for Dragon Age moving forward.
4 Slaying the Archdemon (Dragon Age: Origins)
You've gathered your armies and are finally ready to face the might of the Darkspawn horde. They're led by the Archdemon, an Old God corrupted by the Blight. As one of two Wardens, you're expected to slay the Archdemon, which results in death.
Depending on if you did the dark ritual with Morrigan, slaying the Archdemon results in a tragic death for your Warden, or you survive to reap the rewards and celebration. The variety of endings resulting from your choices makes this moment all the more rewarding.
3 Solas is Fen'Harel (Dragon Age: Inquisition)
This reveal during the end credits blew apart the world of Dragon Age as we know it. While Inquisition had revealed Mythal to be real, she was a wisp working through Flemeth. Solas as the trickster god puts truth to the legends and changes everything about Dragon Age, past and future.
To top it off, we also find out it was Solas who was responsible for the Breach and was secretly working against you the whole time, which hits harder if you romanced him.
2 You ARE Revan (Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic)
You're a soldier of the Republic who's found to be Force-sensitive. You train to become a Jedi and embark on a quest to defeat Darth Malak, the Dark Lord of the Sith. Halfway through your adventure, you're captured and come face to face with the Dark Lord himself. Only, he talks as if he knows you. Your confusion is met with amusement, and he reveals the truth: you are his old master and the former Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Revan.
Captured by the Jedi and programmed with a new identity, Revan was used by the Jedi Council to retrace the Sith's path to the dark side as a way to defeat Malak. One of the greatest plot twists of all time, the Revan reveal changes how you perceive your character, your companions and the story of the game itself. Playing the game for a second time is a enlightening experience as you discover the clues and misdirection the writers placed along the way, and find that the truth was often hidden in plain sight.
1 The Suicide Mission (Mass Effect 2)
The suicide mission is the penultimate mission in Mass Effect 2 and the height of BioWare's storytelling. All paths of the game you've spent dozens of hours playing end here and BioWare delivers. The suicide mission has been praised for the very real consequences of your actions and the survival of your team and the characters you've come to care for are in your hands.
The suicide mission is portrayed in stages, where each stage you have to choose a specialist for a task. These choices depend on how well you know your team's skillset and abilities. The suicide mission is a triumph of setup and payoff and truly demonstrates the heights video gaming can reach.