Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook (Merch)
Official GBAtemp Review
Product Information:
- Publisher: Insight Editions
- Official Store: https://geni.us/dragonagecookbook
BioWare and Electronic Arts are keeping us on our toes for news about the next planned Dragon Age title, Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. While there has been little news about the latter, the franchise has received an official merchandise in the form of publisher Insight Edition’s Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook. Maybe it can make the wait more… palatable…
This hardcover cookbook is priced at $35 and features over 60 recipes for every meal course and even includes a “Drinks & Potions” section. Authors Tom Grimm and Jessie Hassett didn’t deliver a book that takes the officially licensed moniker for granted but crafted one that sets the fantasy tone of a Dragon Age merchandise. It already starts from the cover with an embossed title with golden accents, while the inner pages emulate a rustic, “used book” look that would make this print be right at home in the Shattered Library.
Further fitting the book into the game’s lore is the opening note by Devon who mentions that the contents are based on his culinary experiences across the land of Thedas. Indeed, each entry starts with in-world stories and how it relates to cultures across Thedas as well as its inhabitants.
On a more practical note, each entry also includes full-colour photography - adorned with fantasy props of course - to provide a glimpse of what the dish/drink looks like and this can help you determine if you fancy trying to make it. To further assist you in your decision, the entries include the estimated number of servings, cook time, difficulty, ingredients and steps. Based on these, you can decide if you’re up for making a particular dish or swap it for another that’s easier and quicker to make.
That said, you’ll definitely be tempted to come back to try some of those entries, even if they are ranked as difficult, simply by their looks. For example, the Lamprey Cake would be an adequate dessert served for Halloween while you can impress your guests over the festive season with beverages such as The Hissing Drake or Dragon Piss.
Speaking of the festive season, Insight Editions’ Dragon Age: The Official Cookbook will make for an original gift for the gamer, particularly the Dragon Age gamer, in your life. The book’s finish is of high quality, with a hardcover and laminated coloured pages adorned with original designs and high-quality photographs. Some of the entries can feel generic and uninspired such as croissants and hot chocolate, but even these are tied to the Dragon Age universe with their own in-world stories. It will help the aspiring cook to concoct a dish or drink that will feel straight out of Thedas, right from their own kitchen.
Verdict
- In-world stories for each entry that ties them to the Dragon Age universe
- Lots of original recipes that provide a taste of Thedas
- Book quality
- Affordable, official merchandise
- Some entries feel generic and uninspired