​Man, just when I thought I'd escaped from the grasp of Dragon Age, it pulls me back in! Rumors of this DA retail expansion started flying a couple days ago, but now it's official. Even though the original game is ridiculously large and has already been expanded by DLC, it's getting even more content in the form of this disc-based expansion. Dragon Age: Awakening takes place years after the ending of the original game, raises the level cap (which I didn't manage to hit by the end of the game) and allows you to "re-spec" your attributes. Of course, the expansion features new areas, spells, enemies and party members. Thanks, BioWare. My spring was already super-crowded, and now there's another game I absolutely must play. If my wife leaves me, I blame you. Well, you and the drinking.

Here's the blurb from Gamestop:

For centuries, the Grey Wardens-the ancient order of guardians, sworn to unite and defend the lands-have been battling the darkspawn forces. Legend spoke that slaying the Archdemon would have put an end to the darkspawn threat for centuries to come, but somehow they remain. You are the Grey Warden Commander and have been entrusted with the duty of rebuilding the order of Grey Wardens and uncovering the secrets of the darkspawn and how they managed to remain. How you choose to rebuild your order, how you resolve the conflict with "The Architect", and how you determine the fate of the darkspawn will be but some of the many complex choices that await and shape your journey as you venture to the new land of Amaranthine.