Dragon Age II downloadable content

The narrative of Legacy is framed in the same way as the main game; Varric Tethras is still in the middle of an interrogation by Cassandra Pentaghast, where she tells him that he left out the details of one of Hawke's side adventures that she is aware of. Varric explained that Hawke's party, with Bethany or Carver as potential party members, traveled to a dark prison in the middle of the deserted Vimmark Mountains where they are trapped by magical barriers. Hawke’s investigation into why the Carta, a dwarven criminal syndicate, is targeting the Hawke family led the party there. They discover that the prison houses Corypheus, a powerful and ancient Darkspawn, and that thirty years before the events of Dragon Age II, the prison was magically resealed by Hawke's father on the direction of the Grey Wardens. This is because Corypheus is capable of influencing his Grey Warden jailors through the Taint in their blood, even while trapped in a dormant state. As a result, Corypheus managed to influence Carta members to pursue Malcolm Hawke's descendants to obtain their blood in order to release him. Corypheus is also able to influence both Grey Wardens who are entrusted with guarding his prison, Janeka and Larius, though unlike Janeka, Larius was able to retain his mental independence and kept Corypheus from controlling him completely. After meeting Janeka and Larius, Hawke is informed that the only way out is to slay Corypheus; Hawke may side with either Janeka or Larius, which results in the other being killed. Hawke releases Corypheus, and seemingly killed him. Unbeknownst to Hawke's party, Corypheus' soul transferred to the surviving Grey Warden, who then take their leave. Corypheus would later reappear in Dragon Age: Inquisition as its main antagonist.

Legacy received mixed to average reviews from critics.[13][14][15] IGN's Arthur Gies noted that the DLC pack "see-saws between going-through-the-motions and meaningful character development". While Gies appreciated the character-centric exploration of the Hawke family's past, he questioned why the plotline of Legacy was not integrate into the main game in the first place.[19] GameSpot editor Kevin VanOrd commented that Legacy expands upon the main game but makes no improvements, calling it "shrugworthy" as it had few standout moments and not worth the asking price. He noted that the DLC pack "makes a valiant attempt to strengthen your bond with Hawke, but ultimately it makes little impression", and he summed up the overall experience as "soulless".[17]

Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer commented that Legacy "snuggles comfortably into a more traditional role-playing framework" and that little of the main game's narrative focus, which provided its greatest strengths, was evident throughout Legacy's narrative. He called Legacy a "template for not-bad-but-must-try-harder DLC" and a "passable addition to the game, but one that doesn't do anything to make itself essential".[16] GameSpy's Mike Sharkey thought Legacy was too short and overpriced for amount and depth of content offered, and was to him a "$10 reminder of the full game's shortcomings".[18] PC Powerplay's Meghann O'Neill gave the DLC pack a favorable review compared to other reviewers, noting that she enjoyed the character and appreciated how BioWare competently implemented genuinely useful feedback. Her verdict was that Legacy is a "surprisingly detailed add-in for this controversially received sequel. New approaches to encounter design and smarter enemies stand out, although story remains a strong feature".[20]

The narrative begins during Cassandra's ongoing interrogation of Varric, where she confronted him for not disclosing information about Hawke's involvement with Tallis and their activities at Château Haine, alleging that the Champion of Kirkwall's actions nearly started a war involving Orlais and the Free Marches. Varric reveals that Tallis interrupted an ambush meant for Hawke, and she persuaded the Champion of Kirkwall to accept an invitation from Duke Prosper de Monfort, a high-ranking Orlesian nobleman and a relative of the Orlesian Empress, to visit his estate outside Kirkwall as cover for her to steal the "Heart of the Many". Hawke and company arrive at the Château, having apparently accepted Prosper's previous invitation to the Champion of Kirkwall. After slaying a wyvern during a hunt, Prosper welcomes the Champion into his home. When Hawke and Tallis infiltrate his vault, it is then revealed that Prosper knew who the latter was all along and has the two imprisoned. Tallis reveals her allegiance to the Qunari and admits to Hawke that there never was a jewel called the "Heart of the Many"; she was in fact pursuing an individual named Salit, who defected from his people and was branded "Tal-Vashoth", as he intended to sell confidential information about the Qunari spy network in Thedas to Prosper.

After the two break out of their cell, and if Hawke and company attempt to escape right through the Château, Prosper will bar their escape as he summons a brigade of chevaliers and harlequins to fight them and seals the Château. He then leaves the Château, ordering his Chasind bodyguard, Cahir, to deal with the interlopers. Prosper then meets with Salit, expressing his regret for agreeing to spare Tallis and Hawke, and insists they conclude their exchange. Instead of the blackpowder formula, dreadnought plans, or a map of Qunanadar Prosper was expecting however, Salit gives Prosper a list of names detailing the various Qunari Ben-Hassrath agents in Thedas. Prosper fails to see the value of the information and is angered by Salit's seemingly useless offer. As he is confronted by Hawke, he unknowingly passes the list to a disguised Tallis. After all parties exchange words, Prosper fires a green substance at Salit that attracts the wyvern mount Leopold, who mauls and kills the Tal-Vashoth. In the ensuing battle, Hawke manages to trip Leopold while Prosper is riding him in mid-charge, ultimately resulting in him falling to his death. His threats of reprisal against Hawke are futile, as it would become scandalous if it became public knowledge that he was dealing with Tal-Vashoth, possibly on the Empress' orders. Tallis and Hawke part ways at the conclusion of Varric's narration.

Mark of the Assassin received generally favorable reviews.[24][25][26] Felicia Day's involvement as Tallis in the DLC pack was considered a highlight by most reviewers. GameSpot editor Kevin VanOrd in particular commented that her "charming attitude gives the adventure a pleasant, buoyant vibe". He noted that the DLC pack's game environments were more spacious and inviting than before, and praised the humorous dialogue and story situations.[27] IGN's Dan Griliopoulos assessed that Mark of the Assassin was overall "a neat little expansion, well formed and surprisingly well-paced", and recommended it as a worthy download.[28]

Dan Whitehead of Eurogamer commented that BioWare's DLC output had been more variable than most in terms of quality, and noted that Mark of the Assassin was one of the better ones. Highlights for Whitehead included the narrative's superb plotting and pace, variety of quests, interesting enemy types, and the voice acting. He concluded that the pack was "an absorbing and varied side story" that subtly feeds back into the wider Dragon Age universe.[29] Destructoid's Joseph Leray compared elements of gameplay in Mark of the Assassin more favorably to what he encountered in Legacy, rated the overall experience as slightly above average and summarized the pack as a "lighthearted and straightforward game that does most things right and nothing truly wrong."[30]