A fun expansion to the original game with interesting concepts and just very fun questing all around. Even though it ends up not being particularly fleshed out the interplay of managing the arldom, making decisions, and pursuing various leads makes for an oddly compelling gameplay loop.

Combat remains a bit of a drag as in base Origins but I think the amount of combat is paced a bit better so it doesn't frustrate me as much. The campaign could have been a bit longer to play with its ideas more but I suppose it's better to end on a high than drag itself out.

The biggest flaw in Awakening is probably just the companions. It's disappointing they removed the ability to talk with them on demand - it really diminishes their character, especially in such a short campaign - but they're also, imo, just... not very interesting?

Anders is funny and Justice is an interesting concept, but aside from that they're all just a bit meh. To their credit none of them are outright annoying aside from Oghren, but I just really don't feel any attachment to them in the slightest.