Dragon Age: Inquisition can be described in one word; daunting. This is a very special game. Not in terms of originality or revolutionary gameplay, but how all the elements of this game come together to form something very unique and fresh for the franchise. This game feels like a next gen Bioware title. Using the Frosbite 3 engine, the folks at Bioware have created a game world that is truly vast and feels just as alive as any other fantasy world I've set foot in. The animations are leagues above anything that we've seen in previous Bioware titles and the audio and overall aesthetic is handled with masterful precision.
This game is absolutely massive in every single sense of the word. I've logged around twenty hours and I'm still exploring the first region I've come across; The Hinterlands. It's an absolutely beautiful place that's enthralling atmosphere has kept me exploring for around eighteen of my twenty total hours. I love the sense of discovery this game carries with it. The game map starts out completely darkened, but as you explore, your progress sheds light across the map and the many quests and battles that come with it. This is a game that will suck away your time, and you really have to be committed to it's devices if you want to see it through to it's conclusion. As I said before, I've spent nearly my entire playthrough explicitly exploring the Hinterlands; which I've heard is bigger than the entirety of Dragon Age: Origins. Here's the kicker though; There are 9 other regions to explore as well. I'm not sure if they're all as big as the Hinterlands, but the fact that there are 10 "large" open world locations to get lost in is extremely intimidating yet immensely exciting. The scope of this game is the reason why it takes most players seventy to ninety hours to complete the game, while still missing a majority of the side content.
The game's story may be Bioware's version of Oblivion, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Yes, this game does follow some familiar tropes that hold it back from being something different in regards to narrative, but I do feel like this game does handle storytelling differently to some extent. It's a Bioware title, so choice is there from the beginning. Creating the exact character you want, and choosing what to say and how to act is what drives the narrative forward. Without spoiling the game for those who have yet to give it a chance, you as the player character are quickly thrust into the role of savior. Your character carries a mark that could bring an end to the evil forces invading the realm of Thedas. Basically, you are the key to everyone's salvation, and even though the transition from suspect to savior is a quick one, I do think it makes sense within the world and story. Too often do these "save the world" type of games take place in a completely oblivious universe, where the average person has no clue of what you're doing to save them or of the imminent threat that persists. Dragon Age: Inquisition is a game that breaks this mold. The threat is very real, and very apparent to everyone you meet. All of the NPC's know what's going on and they thank you for risking your life and the lives of your companions to bring peace to Thedas. This type of recognition is gratifying, and as you build up the inquisition, it really feels like your building up an army of supporters who will stand by you until the end.
I'm currently playing on PS4, and the game looks gorgeous; it also plays relatively smooth considering how much can be on screen at once. The combat is brutal, tactical, and satisfying. There are encounters that can truly test your tactical prowess, and others that can be conquered easily. There can even be moments when you stumble across fights that you have no right taking part in. Higher level enemies can be numerous in certain areas, and you'll quickly find out that those are areas best left to a more experienced you, ten hours down the road. All in all, this a great achievement on PS4 and I'm happy with the optimization effort that Bioware put forward. That being said, this game can be a little too ambitious for it's own good at times. Some weird framerate drops during dialogue and cutscenes often took me out of the experience, and there's often quite a bit of pop in, especially in regards to the NPC's. However, when you take into consideration the scope of the game and all that it does right, it's easy to forgive minor issues such as those.
This game totally get's my recommendation and it's no secret that critics and consumers alike adore this game. It demands your time, and that might be a turn of for some of you. That being said, give it a shot. It's been awhile since we've had a good Bioware RPG, and this might be just what you're looking for. If you like huge fantasy worlds, the freedom to explore at your own leisure, and enough content to keep you coming back until The Witcher 3 arrives; This game's for you.
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