Dragon Age: Inquisition came out in 2014 to critical and commercial success. Hailed as one of the best video games of all time, Inquisition was the most ambitious entry in its franchise, pushing Thedas' boundaries further than ever before.
The game's legacy prevails, and the many hints about Dragon Age 4 have fans revisiting the first three games in the series. Each one is unique and excels in different areas, but it's undeniable that Inquisition stands out. Thanks to its ambitious storytelling, vast and richly detailed open world, and engaging and three-dimensional characters, Inquisition becomes the best entry in the Dragon Age saga.
Absurdly Vast Open World
Thedas in Dragon Age: Inquisition is vast and sprawling. Every corner hides a secret, from the average abandoned shack at the Hinterlands to the many ruins at the Hissing Wastes. Furthermore, the game expands on the world with the DLCs, which introduce the underground world of dwarves and the ancient world of Elvhenan, inspired by ancient Greece in one of the most glaring examples of Dragon Age myths borrowing from real life.
The open-world aspect of RPGs enhances the game's immersive qualities, allowing players to truly get lost in them. Inquisition is a perfect example, presenting a far larger world than anything the previous two games did. In doing so, the game's world rivals creations by George R. R. Martin or Stephen King, becoming an enduring part of pop culture.
Opportunity To Explore Other Races
The world of Dragon Age presents four main races: humans, dwarves, elves, and Qunari. The first two games featured many side characters representing these races, but the main player was always human. Inquisition flipped the script by allowing the Inquisitor to be any of the four races.
This seemingly small change had massive implications in-world. Dwarves, elves, and Qunari have complicated relationships in Thedas, so making the Inquisitor one of them was nothing short of a revolution for the continent's politics. Furthermore, players learn more about the intricacies of these races via specific dialogue and interactions with NPCs, expanding the franchise's already impressive lore.
Compelling Romances
Romance is a crucial part of BioWare's games. The studio's two main franchises, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, feature romantic relationships prominently, presenting compelling stories of love between their many characters. Previous entries in Dragon Age presented compelling romances — Alistair, Morrigan, Zevran, Fenris — but Inquisition has arguably the best love stories in the series.
Every romance feels unique and complex. Not all have happy endings. Indeed, some are tragic and culminate in lovers separating. Still, each is worth the time invested, with players learning new things about their romantic partners. The writing in the game adds a distinctive element to each romance, pushing boundaries by including S&M elements in Bull's relationship or issues of trauma, mental health, and addiction in Dorian and Cullen's romances.
Unforgettable Companions
Companions are often some of the most memorable parts of BioWare's games. They can make or break an adventure with their witty banter and useful abilities, which come particularly useful during the long campaigns. Dragon Age: Inquisition has a slew of amazing companions, each unique and helpful in their own particular way.
Furthermore, every companion is unforgettable. Iron Bull, Solas, Cassandra, Cole, and Dorian are some of the best characters in modern video games, and, love them or hate them, there's no denying Vivienne and Sera are memorable and completely original, adding a level of unexpected hilarity to the otherwise serious adventure.
Menacing Yet Thee-Dimensional Villains
Origins and Dragon Age II featured some pretty great villains. Urthemiel, in particular, is a menacing enemy that makes things particularly difficult for players. However, Inquisition's antagonists, Corypheus and Solas, are on a league of their own.
Corypheus has an amazing design and some pretty sick lines. His shadow looms large over the game, manipulating the events as if playing chess. His final battle is disappointing, but it doesn't diminish his overall characterization. As for Solas, he is a layered and complicated character that's more antihero than an outright villain, but his actions put him directly at odds with Thedas as a whole. Players get to know him and understand where he's coming from, and even if he's an antagonist, fans can sympathize with him. Solas is an incredible creation, and he has the potential to become one of the most iconic villains in video game history.
Character Progression
Dragon Age: Inquisition brings back several characters from previous games, satisfyingly continuing their story. However, certain figures stand out because of how much they grow between games, with character development that would make most other franchises jealous.
Cullen goes from traumatized NPC with a couple of lines to Commander of the Inquisition with a full character arc that allows him to move past his past mistakes and fears. Leliana struggles with her faith and role in the new Divine-less world, with players ultimately deciding if she becomes "hardened" or "softened." Even Varrick, one of the most likable characters in the Dragon Age franchise, gets some much-needed personal development thanks to his relationship with Bianca.
Ambitious Plot
Previous games in the Dragon Age series limited the action to a specific region of Thedas. However, Inquisition expands the world's limits, introducing the Empire of Orlais and increasing the importance of regions like Tevinter, Nevarra, Antiva, and Par Vollen.
Inquisition's plot also expands on the series' lore, going in-depth about the Fade and the Tevinter magistrates that entered it. Players even visit the Fade during one of the game's main missions, Here Lies the Abyss. The Treser DLC further expands on the elves' past, featuring the ruins of Elvhenan and tying the events of past and present. Inquisition is Dragon Age at its most ambitious and creative, daring to expand its fantastical world past its initial limits.
Many Possibilities For The Future
Treser is one of the best DLCs of the 2010s, presenting one final adventure for the Inquisitor and his crew. Most importantly, it finally answers the many questions fans had and paints a clear path forward as Thedas prepares to face the Dread Wolf himself, Solas.
Dragon Age 4 still has no release date, but Inquisition went out of its way to destroy many walls to make it possible. Players will visit Tevinter and continue their quest to stop Solas' plans to tear down the Veil, and it's all possible thanks to the groundwork Inquisition laid.
