Dragon Age: Inquisition was a game that came with a lot of hype. Obscene amounts, some would say. I actually bought the game later on, I think it was a year later? I distinctly remember paying less than £10 for it anyway, being a poor fella on minimum wage, I couldn’t buy it immediately upon its release. Anyway, onto the game.
First impression was that this was a RPG slash war simulator, and I was really hyped to play it. I admit I read up a few internet articles on it, which also influenced my selection of race and class. I ended up as a massively stereotypical nerdy Elf Wizard, but with the deepest voice known to man (elves?). Compensating? Maybe. He was a weedy little thing in my defence.
The character build screen is very in-depth, and I took my time with the build as I was going to be looking at that face for a long time. So good detailed amount of options to customise your hero. Wouldn’t have minded a few more voices but can understand budgetary issues considering how much dialogue there is.
Gameplay wise, it seems that Bioware took note of the lessons from Dragon Age 2 and morphed the player input combat with the strategic Dragon Age: Origins system. You can play real time, and focus on immediate demands of combat but the strategic camera view, that very handily stops time, can make some encounters extremely easy. You are given several areas to traverse and early on are given a horse (or you can buy one) so that you can get places at a decent pace. Admittedly some areas are so busy that the horse isn’t necessary, while some are wastelands which you definitely want the horse.
The war table is a nice addition, but there are few moments where the things you do on there affect the game you, though when they do you really feel like you’re part of the war effort.
The human and monster graphics and animations are excellent, but a horse animation just looks awkward. Like the legs are running separately from the body, kinda freaked me out. Considering the game is from 2014, it does look really nice. People look fairly lifelike and the environments are good, barring a few hiccups, it technically holds up and plays smoothly.
The skill tree offers good diversity, especially in the magic classes, where you can shape you and your allies to deal with different types of fights. This is more important at the higher difficulties, like the strategic camera, so you don’t get killed by a minion.
I will admit that the user interface is a bit messy, especially item management. I personally preferred the Dragon Age 2 system, where your main character got the new stuff, and your allies got upgrades.
Onto the best bit, story and characters. You are joined by a very diverse group of interesting people, though some being more interesting than others (yes, you Blackwall). Having Varric back from Dragon Age 2 is awesome, because I love that clean shaven little dude, and his obsession with his crossbow. Iron Bull is particularly fun to talk to, just because he’s a) a badass and b) a Qunari that doesn’t bore you to sleep. Romance options are a good mix for everyone’s palette and tend to provide more depth to some characters (e.g. Cassandra). Your choices carrying over from previous games of the series being a particular highlight, as it affects the story and the backgrounds of the people around you.
The story is that of a luckless person who was in the wrong place at the wrong time and ends up being the chosen one through no intention of his own (the way I played first time, I outright made out that anyone could’ve been the hero, second time I went with it and stated I AM the Chosen One!). From there the story goes from strength to strength with you growing from prisoner to head of an army with a badass castle.
Each area of the game is crammed with things to do, which mostly comprises of fun quests, though I must admit that some areas have the most tedious quests. The shards in particular, occupy a special place in hell as far as I am considered. But between fun character quests and genuinely odd NPC’s, you would have some serious chops to complain about not having enough to do.
Hints and tips for the Inquisitor:
- Best tip I can give is do not try to complete an area 100%, if it stops being fun move along to somewhere new. Don’t worry too much about missing things, because chances are something will crop up and you will end up going back.
- In terms of combat, play through once on easy if you just want to kick ass and roll with your favourite characters. On hard, you’re going to want some balance.
- Don’t be afraid to pimp your castle up, make it look how you want.
- Playing as an elf, a minority citizen, was a unique experience and I would recommend it. Although anything other than human is pretty interesting.
- If you want OP, go mage and learn knight enchanter. Even patched up, it is a ridiculous glass cannon class, combined with some ways to keep you alive longer, your damage output is off the scale crazy.
- You need to be able to lock pick immediately, nothing more annoying than a locked door. Get the perk.
- Do all character quests, they add backstory to your friends and are usually the most fun things to do.
- Hunt dragons, for god sake you’re playing Dragon Age, so hunt them dammit! They provide the best challenge and have the best loot.
- Take the time to talk to everyone often, it can open up side quests and keep things interesting.
- Sell equipment often. If there is something you can’t part with, store it at your base. Inventory can get clogged pretty easily.
- Try your hand at crafting, not only can you create amazing equipment but you can give them cool names (Had a helmet called ‘Visor of the Laser Lord’)