Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a sequel to Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II and is developed by BioWare. It was first (informally) announced on Twitter, the evening of May 19th, 2011, by BioWare Creative Lead Alistair McNally. It was then formally confirmed as Dragon Age III: Inquisition on September 17th, 2012 in an open letter by Executive Producer Mark Darrah. It was revealed during Electronic Arts' E3 2013 press conference that Dragon Age: Inquisition will be released in the Autumn of 2014. As of November 18th, the game has been released on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and PC in the United States, and has released on all of the same systems on November 21st in Europe, after being delayed from its initial release date of October 7th. On April 22nd, 2014, BioWare released a trailer confirming an October 7th, 2014 release date for Dragon Age: Inquisition. On July 22nd, 2014, the game release was delayed to November 18th for North America and November 21st for Europe.

Development
Development of Inquisition began prior to the release of Dragon Age II, and it was originally conceived as a multiplayer-only game, codenamed "Blackfoot" during development.

BioWare is planning on combining elements of earlier installments in the series, Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, into the creation of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Combat is also expected to differ somewhat from its predecessors and focus more on a player's ability to prepare, position and form a cohesive team with their party members, requiring fewer repetitive finger strikes but better thinking. The armor customization will differ from both Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, in that each party member will have interchangeable armor pieces that will customize the look according to its specification and class. They will also refrain from reusing environments, a common criticism of Dragon Age II. Cinematic designer Jon Perry said that "one level in Dragon Age 3 is as big as all of the levels in Dragon Age 2."

BioWare will use a brand new engine which will use Frostbite 3 as a foundation.

The game will have creatures new to the series.

Regarding character creation, the advent of multiple playable races will by necessity require different body and armor models for the protagonist. This aspect, according to Mike Laidlaw, will furthermore take precedence over any potential body shape choices or sliders in the Inquisition character creator. Additionally, according to David Gaider, Inquisition will feature even more race-specific content than was planned for the protagonist backgrounds originally designed for the game.

Trevor Morris is responsible for composition of soundtracks.

Gameplay and Combat
Although touted as an "open world" game at E3 2013 presentation, the developers quickly clarified that Inquisition will not be open world in the same way as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but instead simply feature larger locations (than presumably Origins and Dragon Age II) with more exploration freedom. There are 10 large "open world" locations in the game. Gameplay will continue post-story completion, as opposed to retroactive DLC such as in Dragon Age II.

It is the first game in the series to feature mounts. The dialogue wheel, first featured in Dragon Age II, returns. Like in Dragon Age II, the wheel will display the type of emotion that matches your dialogue choice.

As in both previous installments, the player character can be one of three classes; warrior, rogue or mage. The player will have the ability to choose one of 4 playable races - human, dwarf, elf or qunari - and of either gender. Body sliders will not be available to customize the player character's physique; rather, the engine will support differing body shapes for each race. Two voice sets will also be available for each gender: in the English version, one will have a British accent, and the other an American one. Like the Warden, the Warden-Commander, and Hawke in previous titles, the Inquisitor will be able to recruit companions. It has been revealed that there will be nine possible party members in total. All companions can be customized via armor appearance and in-class weapon style. Furthermore, in exploration they will assist the player by calling out sights of interest.

According to Mike Laidlaw, as in Dragon Age: Origins, the Inquisitor will be able to speak to companions as desired, though not necessarily in every location.

According to Mike Laidlaw in an interview with Eurogamer, companions will leave the party if approval ratings are too low, similar to Dragon age: Origins, and it is possible to only have one companion remaining in the end. It's also possible for the companion to betray the Inquisitor depending on the choices made by the player.

Part of the gameplay of Inquisition involves obtaining and maintaining power in various regions of the map. In part, this is done through strongholds, which can be seized and upgraded to accomplish various tasks, and which serve as a hub for promoting the interests of the Inquisition.

Crafting returns in Inquisition, which according to Cameron Lee, is the deepest BioWare has ever created. In addition to crafting items from raw materials, players can create different parts of the final product and then combine them (e.g. different sections of a staff may be crafted before combining them). The materials used to create the item will determine its appearance.

While playing, the GUI for Dragon Age: Inquisition will include a radar which displays important points and foes. Mike Laidlaw has stated it's better for battles. The game can be played using a tactical camera view (where the party is controlled from overhead), or from the third person.

Combat in Dragon Age: Inquisition will have a greater focus on strategy than in Dragon Age II. Party health will not regenerate automatically after an encounter as it did in Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Origins, and mage characters will not be able to repeatedly cast, or "spam," healing spells. Similarly, the ability to carry healing items will be limited, to instill a need to adequately prepare for combat and exploration.

With regards to the PC edition of Inquisition, Laidlaw revealed that the tactical quickbar will be locked at 8 slots, because "32 abilities (along with passives/upgrades) across the party provides a broad spectrum of tactical options."

During fights, the environments will also be able to be exploited and manipulated to a greater degree than in Dragon Age II. This capacity goes both ways, however. For example, a mage character may cast an "ice wall" spell to create cover on a battlefield or hem an enemy into a corner—a similar idea to a mage casting a fire spell after using a grease spell in Dragon Age: Origins—but the enemy may respond by melting the ice wall, eliminating the player's advantage.

Eliminating other NPCs, including wildlife, will also have an effect on gameplay in Inquisition. The player will have the ability to forage or hunt an area into scarcity, which will allow other species of plants and animals to proliferate instead. Furthermore, clearing an area of intelligent enemies like bandits or dragons will impact the locale greatly. Each dragon is unique from a gameplay standpoint.

Data transfer and world-states


On August 28, 2013, it was announced that players will be able to create their own specific canon and customize all important decisions from previous games in a cloud-based system called Dragon Age Keep. This new system will also solve plot logic issues that occurred when importing save-games in previous titles.

The Keep system aims to allow the player to customize cross-generational and cross-console world-states, ideally circumventing import bugs or other issues. According to Mark Darrah, BioWare is looking into the possibility of traditional save game transfers via the Keep, as well. Unconnected consoles will not be able to access the Dragon Age Keep, though it will be able to be downloaded onto a PC or tablet initially and then introduced to a console. Players who do not have or choose not to import a world-state into Inquisition will be provided a default "canon" as in Dragon Age II: an "Ultimate Sacrifice" Dalish Warden, Alistair made King, and Hawke a male mage who sided with the mages in DA2. Mark Darrah and Aaryn Flynn indicated as well that choices from Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening and other DLC will also impact playthroughs. The prologue of the game is designed in a manner that players new to the series will not be overwhelmed.

Players will not be able to directly import save files from previous games into the Keep, regardless of the platform the games were played on. However, Inquisition save files will import into the Keep if you're online while playing (or they will import next time you go online).

Plot
The game starts in 9:41 Dragon, one year after the end of Dragon Age II.

According to Aaryn Flynn from BioWare, the narrative of Dragon Age: Inquisition will involve investigating a tear in the Veil, a breach into the Fade.

The protagonist of this installment will be known as the Inquisitor, following the player characters of previous two games: the Warden, the Warden-Commander, and the Champion. As was the case in Dragon Age: Origins, players will be able to choose from several playable races for the Inquisitor, and the game will recognize race flags, class flags, or a combination of the two depending on the situation. There would be no option, however, to create a dwarf mage for lore reasons.

The game will be set in Thedas, covering parts of Orlais and Ferelden. The game will cover more geographic territory than its predecessors, with one map being described as four to five times the size of Ferelden, the setting of the first game in the series.

Mike Laidlaw and Cameron Lee have stated that the main quest alone will be 50 hours long and sidequests are 100 hours long, making a total of 150 hours of gameplay overall. Choices made by the players will impact the game's ending, with 40 different variations reported to be present, from a best to a worst possible outcome.

BioWare mentioned that the main plot will be "saving the world from itself," sealing the Breach and defeating the Elder One. The plot will also involve the Mage-Templar War, the foundations of which comprise the main plot of Dragon Age II. Along with the larger size of the game map, the player will be able to travel to various areas to either calm or encourage the fighting.

The subtitle Inquisition has been previously hinted by the Dragon Age 2 strategy guide's epilogue, which asked "Will some kind of inquisition be at the heart of events of the next Dragon Age title?" David Gaider has also said, "It'd be interesting to see if the Inquisition ever rose up again."

Quests
Main Article: Quests (Dragon Age: Inquisition)

Major characters

 * The Inquisitor: The protagonist of the game and leader of the Inquisition.
 * Cullen: Advisor to the Inquisitor and a Knight-Captain of the Templar Order, who witnessed the deeds of both the Hero of Ferelden and the Champion of Kirkwall. He leads the Inquisition's military forces.
 * Elder One: A mysterious entity who is served by the Venatori and the Red Templars.
 * Josephine Montilyet: Advisor to the Inquisitor, a skilled diplomat and an old friend of Leliana.
 * Leliana: Advisor to the Inquisitor, the Left Hand of the Divine and, depending on player choice, former companion of the Hero of Ferelden. She leads the clandestine division of the Inquisition responsible for espionage and assassination.
 * Morrigan: A Witch of the Wilds, a shapeshifting apostate mage, and former companion of the Hero of Ferelden. She disappeared at the end of the Fifth Blight and reappeared years later as the arcane advisor to Empress Celene.
 * Roderick: The Grand Chancellor of the Chantry and one of the antagonists of the game.

Companions

 * Blackwall: A Grey Warden of Orlais.
 * Cassandra Pentaghast: The Right Hand of the Divine and one of the last loyal members of the Seekers of Truth.
 * Cole: A mysterious ghost-like rogue, originally appearing in Dragon Age: Asunder.
 * Dorian: An Altus mage of the Tevinter Imperium.
 * Iron Bull: A Qunari mercenary and agent of the Ben-Hassrath.
 * Sera: An elven archer and member of the enigmatic group of rogues known as the Friends of Red Jenny.
 * Solas: An apostate elven mage and expert on the Fade.
 * Varric Tethras: A dwarven rogue and member of the Merchant's Guild. He is a consummate storyteller and former companion of the Champion of Kirkwall.
 * Vivienne: A Pro-Circle mage and former Senior Enchanter.

Secondary characters

 * Alexius: A member of the Magisterium who leads a band of Venatori.
 * Alistair: A Grey Warden, former companion of the Hero of Ferelden and, depending on player choice, King of Ferelden.
 * Anora: Queen of Ferelden, depending on player choice.
 * Briala: Ambassador for the elves of Orlais.
 * Celene I: Empress of Orlais
 * Connor: Son of Arl Eamon and Isolde. He discovered his ability as a mage when he was young and fell victim to a demon
 * Dagna : A smith caste dwarf or scholar of the Circle of Magi, depending on player choice.
 * Fiona: Former Grand Enchanter of the Circle of Magi, now leader of the mage rebellion. She is also a former Grey Warden.
 * Flemeth: The legendary Asha'bellanar, Witch of the Wilds, and mother of Morrigan.
 * Gaspard de Chalons: Grand Duke of Orlais, rival of Celene in the Orlesian Civil War.
 * Harding: The dwarven head scout and lieutenant of the Inquisition.
 * Hawke: The protagonist of Dragon Age II, Champion of Kirkwall and, depending on player choice, Viscount of Kirkwall.
 * Justinia V: Divine of the Andrastian Chantry.
 * Krem: Second-in-command of the Bull's Chargers.
 * Loghain: Former Teyrn of Gwaren, father of Anora and, depending on player choice, companion to the Hero of Fereldan.
 * Stroud: An Orlesian Grey Warden.

Romance
There are eight romances available in Inquisition. Six are companions and two are advisors. Some romances are restricted by gender, and two have been confirmed to be restricted by race. .


 * Blackwall (female Inquisitors only)
 * Cassandra Pentaghast (male Inquisitors only)
 * Cullen (female human and elven Inquisitors only)
 * Dorian (male Inquisitors only)
 * Iron Bull (male and female Inquisitors)
 * Josephine Montilyet (male and female Inquisitors)
 * Sera (female Inquisitors only)
 * Solas (female elven Inquisitors only)

New creatures

 * Behemoth
 * Despair demon
 * Fear demon
 * Fennec
 * Giant
 * Terror demon
 * Envy demon
 * Wraith

Factions

 * Inquisition
 * Avvars
 * Grey Wardens
 * Mages
 * Red Templars
 * Templars
 * Venatori

Locations

 * The Deep Roads
 * Valammar
 * The Fade
 * Ferelden
 * Crestwood Hills
 * Fallow Mire
 * Frostback Pass
 * Haven
 * The Hinterlands
 * Avvar Blade Valley
 * Hafter's Woods
 * Redcliffe
 * Storm Coast
 * Therinfal Redoubt
 * Orlais
 * The Dales
 * Emerald Graves
 * Emprise Du Lion
 * Exalted Plains
 * Halamshiral, once the capital city of the elven nation of Dales
 * Winter Palace
 * Val Royeaux, capital of Orlais
 * Western Approach
 * Griffon Wing Keep, a former Grey Warden fortress
 * Adamant Fortress, first featured in Asunder
 * Forbidden Oasis
 * Hissing Wastes
 * Skyhold, headquarters of the Inquisition
 * Still Ruins

Multiplayer


Dragon Age: Inquisition will feature a four player co-op mode. At launch there will be three multiplayer campaigns. Maps will be randomly generated and BioWare expects the matches will last between 20-30 minutes.

Initially there will be twelve heroes to choose from, four rogues, four warriors, and four mages. All will have distinctive looks and abilities. The player will be part of the Inquisition, running a behind the scenes operation.

There will be no subscription or premium services. However, you can purchase platinum, which is described as a "time saver" currency.

Multiplayer characters

 * Warriors
 * Korbin: The Legionnaire
 * Tamar: The Reaver
 * The Katari
 * Belinda: The Templar
 * Rogues
 * Argent: The Assassin
 * Hall: The Archer
 * Luka: The Alchemist
 * Thornton: The Hunter
 * Mages
 * Neria: The Keeper
 * Rion: The Elementalist
 * Cillian: The Arcane Warrior
 * Sidony: The Necromancer

Gallery
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