Dragon Age: Inquisition

Dragon Age: Inquisition
Developed by	BioWare
Published by	Electronic Arts
Release date	November 18, 2014 (NA), November 20, 2014 (IT), November 21, 2014 (EU)
Engine	Frostbite 3
Mode	Single-player, multiplayer
Version	pcps3ps4xbox360xboxone

Dragon Age: Inquisition is BioWare's third installment in the Dragon Age video game series, continuing the journey throughout the medieval-themed continent of Thedas, introduced in Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II.

Announcement and Release

On the evening of May 19, 2011, BioWare Creative Lead Alistair McNally informally announced the game via Twitter.

The title was formally confirmed as Dragon Age III: Inquisition on September 17, 2012 in an open letter by Executive Producer Mark Darrah. The game was originally set to release in fall 2013.

During its 2013 E3 press conference, publishing house Electronic Arts announced that Dragon Age: Inquisition would be delayed by a year, to fall 2014.

On April 22, 2014, BioWare released a trailer confirming an October 7, 2014 release date for Dragon Age: Inquisition. On July 22, 2014, a second delay was announced; the game finally released on November 18, 2014 in North America and November 21, 2014 in Europe.

Development

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

BioWare originally planned on combining elements of earlier installments in the series (Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II) into the creation of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Combat differs somewhat from its predecessors, focusing more on a player's ability to prepare, position and form a cohesive team with their party members, requiring fewer repetitive finger strikes and more tactical thinking through the tactical camera mode. The armor customization also differs from both Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, in that each party member has interchangeable armor pieces that customize the look according to its specification and class.

The game includes a myriad of environments, with one level in Inquisition being as large as all the levels in Dragon Age II.

BioWare uses a brand new game engine founded upon Frostbite 3.

The game introduces new creatures and enemies, including several new demons, non-aggressive critters, and several High dragons.

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

The narrative of Dragon Age: Inquisition involves investigating a tear in the Veil--a breach into the Fade.

The protagonist of this installment is known as the Inquisitor. As was the case in Dragon Age: Origins, players will be able to choose from multiple races--including a previously unplayable race, the Qunari--and classes. With four playable races available this time for the Inquisitor, the game recognizes race flags, class flags, and sometimes a combination of the two depending on the situation. There is no option, however, to create a dwarf mage for lore reasons.

The game is set in Thedas, covering parts of Orlais and Ferelden, and covers 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.

Choices made by the players impact the game's ending, with a wide variety of different endings possible based on choices made throughout the game with regards to quests and companions, among other things.

Planning the battle

The plot, as stated by BioWare, centers around "saving the world from itself," sealing the Breach and defeating the Elder One. It also involves the Mage-Templar War, the foundations of which comprise the main plot of Dragon Age II.

The subtitle Inquisition had been previously hinted at by the Dragon Age II 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."

Trevor Morris is responsible for the composition of the soundtracks.

Data transfer and world-states

Main article: Dragon Age Keep

Selecting a custom Warden in the Keep-Beta version

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 (including DLC and the Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening expansion) in a cloud-based system called Dragon Age Keep. This new system prevents plot logic issues that have occurred when importing save-games in other titles.

Dragon Age Keep also has the ability to give a narrative based on the world state to players, using the framing device of Varric Tethras telling a story, to reacquaint returning players to the significance of their choices and to introduce new players to the world's lore and backstory.

The Keep system aims to allow the player to customize cross-generational and cross-console world-states, ideally circumventing import bugs or other issues.

Selecting a custom Hawke in the Keep-Beta version

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.

Players are not 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 can be imported into the Keep if you're online while playing (or they will import next time you go online).

Patch 10 introduced the Golden Nug which allows players to migrate several different types of collection items and schematics across multiple Dragon Age: Inquisition playthroughs; once a single full playthrough has been completed, items can be transferred to any saved playthrough, including future ones.

Reception

Dragon Age: Inquisition received "generally favorable" reviews on Metacritic getting a metascore of 85/100 on PC based on 45 critic reviews, 89/100 on PS4 based on 43 critic reviews, and 85/100 on Xbox One based on 28 critic reviews.

Plot

Main article: Storyline for Dragon Age: Inquisition

The game starts in 9:41 Dragon, one year after the events of Dragon Age II and ends in 9:42. Orlais is undergoing a civil war, threatening the stability of southern Thedas. The Circle of Magi have rebelled against the oppressive templars in a bid for independence, leading to all-out war. In a last ditch effort for peace, Divine Justinia V has orchestrated the Divine Conclave − a peace summit between the ambassadors of the templars and the rebel mages for the purpose of negotiating a peaceful compromise.

A massive explosion kills the attendants of the Conclave and creates a massive tear in the Veil called the Breach, allowing Demons to invade Thedas unchecked. The player protagonist is the sole survivor of the explosion and wielder of the "Anchor" − a magical mark that bestows control over the Breach and Fade rifts. The player's miraculous accolades and ability to seal the Fade rifts leaves many to believe they are a messiah, specifically the Herald of Andraste. The player is inducted into the reborn Inquisition − an independent organization sanctioned by the late Divine Justinia to restore order should Thedas erupt into chaos − and eventually becomes its Inquisitor. Throughout the game the Inquisitor will be forced to make choices that directly impact the plot of the game. The actions of the player shake the very foundation of Thedas as it leads to the ultimate build up against an evil ready to usurp the throne of the Maker Himself.

Characters

For information about recruitable companions, see Companions and advisors (Inquisition).

The core members of the Inquisition

Major characters

• The Inquisitor: The protagonist of the game and leader of the Inquisition.
• Cullen Rutherford: 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.

Companions

Dragon Age: Inquisition character Icons

• 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, first introduced in Dragon Age: Asunder.
• Dorian Pavus: An Altus mage from 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 Loyalist Circle mage and First Enchanter of Montsimmard as well as Enchantress to the Imperial Court of Orlais.

Secondary characters

• Alexius: A member of the Magisterium who leads a band of Venatori into Redcliffe.
• Alistair (conditional): A Grey Warden, former companion of the Hero of Ferelden and, depending on player choice, King of Ferelden.
• Anora (conditional): Queen of Ferelden, depending on player choice.
• Briala: Ambassador for the elves of Orlais.
• Calpernia (conditional): Leader of the Venatori on behalf of the Elder One.
• Celene Valmont I: Empress of Orlais.
• Clarel: Warden-Commander of Orlais.
• 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 Alistair's mother and 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.
• Lace 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.
• Loghain Mac Tir (conditional): Former Teyrn of Gwaren, father of Anora and, depending on player choice, companion to the Hero of Fereldan.
• Mother Giselle: A Chantry Mother and early supporter of the Inquisition.
• Samson (conditional): Leader of the Red Templars on behalf of the Elder One.
• Stroud (conditional): An Orlesian Grey Warden.

Romance

Main article: Romance (Inquisition)

There are eight romances available in Inquisition. Six are companions and two are advisors. Six romances are restricted by gender and two romances are restricted by race.

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

Gameplay and Combat

Although touted as an "open world" game at E3 2013 presentation, the developers quickly clarified that Inquisition is not an open world in the same way as The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, but instead simply feature larger locations than Origins and Dragon Age II with more exploration freedom. There are 10 large "open world" locations in the game. Gameplay continues 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 displays 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, with three specializations for each available later in the game. The player has the ability to choose one of 4 playable races - human, dwarf, elf or qunari - of either male or female gender. Body sliders are unavailable to customize the player character's physique; rather, the engine supports differing body shapes for each race. Two voice sets are available for each gender: in the English-language version of the game, one has a British accent, and the other an American one.

Like the Warden, the Warden-Commander, and Hawke in previous titles, the Inquisitor can recruit companions. There are a total of 9 possible party members who can be recruited. All companions can be customized via armor and in-class weapon style. Similar to Dragon Age: Origins, some companions can leave the party if approval ratings are too low, and it is possible to only have one companion remaining in the end.

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 used to accomplish various tasks, and which serve as a hub for promoting the interests of the Inquisition.

While playing, the GUI for Inquisition includes a radar displaying important points and foes. 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 has a greater focus on strategy than does Dragon Age II. Party health doesn't regenerate automatically after an encounter as it did in Dragon Age II and Dragon Age: Origins, and mage characters are not able to repeatedly cast, or "spam," healing spells. Similarly, the ability to carry healing items is limited, though the maximum number can be increased by certain perks.

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

Griffon Wing Keep, A possible Inquisition stronghold

During fights, the environments may 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.

Abilities

Main article: Abilities (Inquisition)

Multiplayer

Main article: Dragon Age: Inquisition multiplayer

For the first time in the Dragon Age series, Multiplayer is available in Inquisition. It consists of a 4-player co-op mode, with players taking on the role of members of the Inquisition.

Locations

Ferelden

• Crestwood
• Fallow Mire
• Haven
• Hinterlands
• Ruined Temple
• Storm Coast
• Therinfal Redoubt

Orlais

• Arbor Wilds
• Dales
  • Emerald Graves
  • Emprise Du Lion
  • Sahrnia
• Exalted Plains
• Winter Palace
• Forbidden Oasis
• Hissing Wastes
• Lost Temple of Dirthamen
• Western Approach
• Val Royeaux, capital of Orlais

Other

• Skyhold
• Fade

Factions

• Inquisition
• Avvars
• Grey Wardens
• Mages
• Red Templars
• Templars
• The Freemen of the Dales
• Venatori

Quests

Main article: Quests (Inquisition)

Crafting

Main article: Crafting (Inquisition)

Crafting returns in Inquisition, more diverse than in previous games. 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 determine its appearance.

New creatures

For a complete list of new creatures, see Category:Dragon Age: Inquisition creature images.

Fear demon

• Behemoth
• Despair demon
• Envy demon
• Fear demon
• Fennec
• Giant
• Wraith

Downloadable content

Main article: Downloadable content (Inquisition)

A total of three campaign DLC's were released for Inquisition: Jaws of Hakkon, The Descent, and Trespasser. Two item packs, Spoils of the Qunari and Spoils of the Avvar contain new equipment and mounts, and the free DLC The Black Emporium hails the return of Xenon the Antiquarian from Dragon Age II, who sells various unique equipment and schematics as well as crafting materials.

System requirements

System	PC
	Recommended	Minimum
OS	Windows 7 or 8.1 64-bit	Windows 7 or 8.1 64-bit
CPU	AMD six core @ 3.2 GHz Intel quad core @ 3.0 GHz	AMD quad core @ 2.5 GHz Intel quad core @ 2.0 GHz
System RAM	8 GB	4 GB
Graphics Card	AMD Radeon HD 7870 or R9 270 NVIDIA GeForce GTX 660	AMD Radeon HD 4870 NVIDIA GeForce 8800 GT
Graphics Memory	2 GB	512 MB
Hard Drive	26 GB	26 GB
Miscellaneous	DirectX 11	DirectX 10

Trivia

• According to the developers, Dragon Age: Inquisition has 88,000 lines of voiced dialogue and there are nearly 1 million voiced and written words in the game.

Gallery

• Promotional media
• Concept art
• Videos

Dragon Age: Inquisition

An Orlesian ball

The human Inquisitor with his companions, Cassandra, Varric, and Vivienne

The party attacking a dragon

Turnaround sheet showing Solas and examples of clothing customization

Promotional image of an Inquisitor with a flaming sword

Dwarven Paragon statue and architecture

Tevinter imagery

The Inquisitor and companions Varric Tethras, Solas, Iron Bull, Vivienne and Cassandra Pentaghast

Advisor agent cards

Party companion cards: Varric, Cassandra, Blackwall, Cole and Solas

The Inquisitor and companions Cassandra Pentaghast, Iron Bull and Vivienne shadowed by a sinister dragon.

“It wasn’t hidden, it was uncontrolled. Like the power you now command.”

“The graves of our ancestors are littered with the bones of long-forgotten betrayals.”

“The Old Gods will call to you, from their ancient prisons will they sing.”

"They looked on what pride had wrought, and despaired"

“In the absence of light, shadows thrive.”

“Seek the light, for the wicked take root in the darkest corners.”

“Through a breach in the sky, the brave now walk where once we feared to dream.”

“Foul and corrupt are they who have taken His gift and turned it against His children.”

“Oh Maker, hear my cry. Guide me through the blackest nights.”

“And their bones shall spread across the land, the remains of an empire lost to folly.”

“In places untouched by the feet of Man, in shadows unspoiled by the fires of Right.”

“Here lies the abyss, the well of all souls. From these emerald waters doth life begin anew.”

Dragon armor concept

War Table concept

Chantry sculptures concept 1

Chantry sculptures concept 2

Intro concept

Character study concept

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Official Trailer – Dragonslayer (DLC)

Dragon Age Inquisition E3 2013 Teaser Trailer

Dragon Age Inquisition - A World Unveiled

Dragon Age Inquisition World Tour Video

Dragon Age Inquisition Trailer - E3 2014

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Official Trailer – The Breach-0

Dragon Age Inquisition Extended Gameplay Demo - IGN Live Gamescom 2014

Dragon Age Inquisition - Multiplayer Trailer 1080p TRUE-HD QUALITY

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Gameplay Trailer - The Inquisitor

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Official Trailer – The Enemy of Thedas

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Official Trailer – The Hero of Thedas

E3 2014 - Dragon Age Inquisition - Lead Them or Fall Official Trailer

Dragon Age Inquisition - Choice and Consequence Video

Dragon age inquisition Characters Trailer - All Characters

Dragon Age Inquisition - Developer Expert Showcase

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Gameplay Launch Trailer – A Wonderful World

The Art of Dragon Age Inquisition Trailer

DRAGON AGE™ INQUISITION Official Gameplay Trailer – A Word From Our Fans

External links

• Wikipedia page
• RPG-Gaming Skill tree calculator