Summary
Dragon Age: Inquisitionis sprawling. It builds on long-anticipated questions, has a stellar character creator, and features many recurring faces fans love, but there’s a lot more to why players are still playing this game. It has had its share of criticisms as well, from featuring fetch quests to a Storm Coast thatneverstops storming, and yet, it’s an epic that players aren’t likely to forget.
Dragon Ageis shaped by the actions of its heroes, and none play the role quite so boldly asthe Inquisitordoes. For dangers of mythic proportions, only a mythic leader will do. As the Inquisitor, players will navigate battlefields and ballrooms, excavate ruins and repel enemies out of nightmares. Thedas rests in the Inquisitor’s palm, and with this hero, players will do a lot more than just save the world.
1Unapologetically The Chosen One
Neither The Warden Nor Hawke Gets The Inquisitor’s Adulation
While the Warden’s Joining is scripted to be an unavoidable choice and Hawke earns a right to fame with hard work, the Inquisitor is thrust into a very public role very early in the game as the Herald of Andraste.
Regardless of how players roleplay their Inquisitor’s feelings, the publicsees the title, not the individual. At least this sword cuts both ways: the Inquisitor commands a power strong enough to conquer nations.
2The Inquisition Is An Army
And The War Table Is So Much More Than A Minigame
The progress of the Inquisition is represented in orders handed out to the Inquisitor’s three advisors representing three approaches. Although these choices may seem arbitrary at times, these missions contain a lot of valuable lore.
The War Table mechanic is far from the most popular feature inInquisition, and it’s easy to forget about its timers unless players regularly check-in. With a little patience – or the right mod – this feature can still enhance the feeling ofa leader delegating and commanding.
3The Great Game Is Grand
Orlesian Balls Put Ferelden & Free Marches Politics To Shame
Politics is an important facet ofDragon Agegames, starting with the Landsmeet inOrigins. After the Warden, Hawke also tests the political waters and becomes a familiar face at the Viscount’s Keep inDragon Age 2.
In contrast, the Inquisition is full-blown military power from the start of the game, therefore political entanglements are inevitable. Aspiring players can choose to learn the Game or risk alienating the support ofthe nations surrounding the Inquisition.
4The Inquisitor’s Love Life Changes Lives
Inquisition Gives New Meaning To Plot-Relevant Romances
Inquisition’s romance system is founded on preferences that meaningfully tie into the plot. In the case of characters like Solas, Dorian, or Iron Bull, their romances directly relate to the main story and players’ choices.
While not all the romances are equally impactful, players aresigning up for plot twistsno matter whom they choose. They all add story depth, whether it’s gaining insight into the Templar’s plight through Cullen or appreciating the demands placed upon Grey Wardens with Blackwall.
5Knife Ears, Topside Dusters, & Zealous Andrastians
The Inquisitor’s Background Changes Things
Some races are more comfortable with Andrastian beliefs than others, and being in charge of an organization with religious affiliation can be interesting with a non-human background. While a Dalish mage might be viewed by some as an apostate, a human one might have reason toside with the Circle.
One of the best things aboutInquisitionis the range players can roleplay when it comes to how the Inquisitor’s character responds to the world coming apart at the seams. This influences how players lead the Inquisition, and some quests and decisions will land quite differently.
6Orlais, Ferelden, The Frostback Basin, & Ancient Thaigs
The Inquisitor Really Gets Around
Making the map so expansive is not one ofInquisition’s most popular design choices, and some argue that it’s stretched thin with fetch quests. On the other hand, this game has some gorgeous settings to explore, and each area offers a different flavor of experiences and encounters.
Completionists and lore enthusiasts will want to grind through, however, to take in all the vistas, unearth every secret, and visitlong-forgotten temples and haunted chateausalike. Not counting Shard hunting, there are things of note in every corner.
7Lost History Is About More Than Revising Textbooks
Genetivi Would Have Been All Over The Inquisitor’s Ruin Spelunking
Depending on the Inquisitor’s origin, the forgotten history of their race might have unexpected details to surprise anyone who played the previous games. The true history hinted at is fascinating, but not all Inquisitorswill like what they learn.
Although every race has something relevant to learn in the game, without a doubt,Inquisitionhas the most to offer for elf players. Those who played a Dalish Warden inOriginswill have the most to appreciate in some respects, and it’s the most emotionally intensive background in this game.
8The Inquisitor Can All But Time Travel
Actually, Not Even Time Travel Is Out Of The Question
The Inquisition serves justice and seeks truth while moonlighting as a scarily well-funded archeology department. Aside from the actual dig sites the Inquisitor explores, the party’s adventures uncover plenty of startling facts in forgotten places.
Thanks tothe Inquisitor’s diverse companions, players will learn new things about modern Thedasian cultures in a way the previous games only alluded to. This insight also offers a fascinating contrast to the ancient lore the Inquisitor uncovers.
9The Inquisitor Has Impressive Enemies
Magisters Can Make Way For Veritable Gods
Although everyDragon Agehas followed the formula of the hero gathering influence and might to combat the pressing issues facing each of them,Inquisitionoutdoes its predecessorsin showing multiple sides of the conflict. Corypheus might seem larger than life, but it’s not his Shakespearean threats or Red Templars that make him so dangerous.
Much like the Architect’s machinations revealed inOrigin’sAwakeningDLC,Inquisitionproves that not all evil is straightforward or obvious. The true enemies of Thedas are only just awakening, and players have to wait forThe Veilguardto learn just how deep and dark the threat goes.
