I don't think Bioware has really gone away from telling epic stories. Remember the first mass effect had a very central antagonist that was very well developed. Dragon Age had a couple though, for the most of the game, the antagonist is Logaine. You are building up support to get rid of him so that you can get the country behind you to fight the bigger challenge, the darkspawn.
I think the "addition" of well developed party member dialogue and story is a natural evolution for RPG's and Bioware is pioneering the way.







