Table of Contents
Introduction
“Dragon Age: Inquisition” is an expansive role-playing game developed by BioWare, renowned for its rich narrative, complex characters, and immersive gameplay. This walkthrough review serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating the epic journey through Thedas, detailing main quests, side quests, exploration opportunities, and key decisions that shape the game’s narrative and world.
Getting Started
Character Creation
Upon starting the game, players begin by creating their protagonist, known as the Inquisitor. This involves choosing the character’s race (human, elf, dwarf, or Qunari), class (warrior, rogue, or mage), gender, and appearance. Each choice impacts gameplay, dialogue options, and how NPCs perceive and interact with the protagonist.
Prologue: The Conclave
The game opens with a catastrophic event at the Conclave, where leaders from across Thedas gather to discuss rising tensions between mages and Templars. A mysterious explosion disrupts the meeting, resulting in the death of many attendees and the emergence of a massive rift in the sky known as the Breach. The protagonist survives the explosion and is marked with a magical sigil, granting them the ability to close rifts and control the Fade.
Main Quests Overview
Establishing the Inquisition
After surviving the explosion at the Conclave, the protagonist is hailed as the Herald of Andraste, a figure prophesied to restore order and close the Breach threatening the world. The Inquisition, a new organization dedicated to combating the chaos caused by the Breach, is formed with the protagonist as its leader. The main questline revolves around expanding the Inquisition’s influence, gaining allies, and investigating the true nature of the Breach and the forces behind it.
Key Main Quests:
- The Wrath of Heaven: Investigate the aftermath of the explosion at the Conclave and begin closing smaller rifts to gain the trust of potential allies.
- In Your Heart Shall Burn: Defend the Inquisition’s headquarters from a massive attack orchestrated by enemies of the Inquisition, showcasing the organization’s strength and resolve.
- Here Lies the Abyss: Delve into the Fade to confront a powerful enemy and make critical decisions that impact the future of the Inquisition and its allies.
- What Pride Had Wrought: Uncover ancient secrets and mystical artifacts that hold the key to understanding the true origins of the Breach and how to close it permanently.
- Doom Upon All the World: Lead the final assault against the forces threatening Thedas, culminating in a climactic battle that determines the fate of the world and the future of the Inquisition.
Side Quests and Exploration
Regions and Zones
“Dragon Age: Inquisition” features vast open-world environments divided into distinct regions, each offering its own quests, challenges, and opportunities for exploration:
- The Hinterlands: A sprawling wilderness teeming with bandits, Templars, and wildlife. Players can establish camps, recruit allies, and aid local villagers in exchange for support.
- The Storm Coast: A rugged coastline dominated by cliffs and crashing waves. Players can uncover hidden caves, ancient ruins, and resources vital to the Inquisition’s cause.
- The Emerald Graves: A lush forest inhabited by noble houses and ancient elven ruins. Players can delve into political intrigue, hunt legendary beasts, and uncover forgotten lore.
Side Quests and Activities
In addition to main story quests, “Dragon Age: Inquisition” offers a plethora of side quests, activities, and collectibles scattered throughout each region:
- Agent Recruitment: Recruit agents for the Inquisition from various factions and backgrounds, unlocking unique benefits such as improved diplomatic relations or access to rare resources.
- Companion Quests: Develop relationships with companions by completing personal quests that delve into their backgrounds, motivations, and personal struggles.
- War Table Operations: Utilize the Inquisition’s war table to dispatch agents on missions that yield rewards, unlock new areas, and influence the geopolitical landscape of Thedas.
Character Development and Progression
Abilities and Specializations
As the protagonist gains experience and levels up, they can unlock and upgrade a wide range of abilities and talents tailored to their chosen class and specialization:
- Warrior: Specializations include Champion, Reaver, and Templar, each offering unique combat styles and abilities.
- Rogue: Specializations include Assassin, Artificer, and Tempest, focusing on stealth, traps, and devastating attacks.
- Mage: Specializations include Rift Mage, Knight-Enchanter, and Necromancer, harnessing elemental magic, spirit manipulation, and defensive spells.
Influence and Decisions
Throughout the game, players make critical decisions that shape the Inquisition’s reputation, alliances, and the world’s perception of their leadership:
- Political Alliances: Forge alliances with factions, kingdoms, and influential figures to bolster the Inquisition’s resources and influence.
- Morality and Ethics: Navigate moral dilemmas and ethical choices that impact character relationships, narrative outcomes, and the overall direction of the story.
Strategic Choices and Consequences
Consequences of Decisions
“Dragon Age: Inquisition” emphasizes the consequences of player decisions, with choices made throughout the game impacting:
- World State: Determine the political landscape, social dynamics, and the fate of nations based on diplomatic choices and alliances.
- Companion Loyalty: Influence companion relationships and loyalty through dialogue choices, actions, and personal quests that reveal their backgrounds and motivations.
- Endings and Epilogues: Shape the game’s conclusion and epilogue based on decisions made during key moments, including alliances forged, enemies defeated, and moral stances taken.
Visuals, Sound, and Technical Performance
Visual Design
“Dragon Age: Inquisition” features stunning visuals, detailed character models, and expansive environments that bring Thedas to life. Each region is meticulously crafted, from lush forests and towering mountains to ancient ruins and bustling cities, offering a diverse and immersive world to explore.
Sound and Music
The game’s soundtrack, composed by Trevor Morris, enhances the epic scope and emotional depth of “Dragon Age: Inquisition.” Orchestral arrangements, atmospheric sound effects, and dynamic musical cues underscore key moments, battles, and narrative beats, contributing to the game’s immersive experience.
Technical Performance
On a technical level, “Dragon Age: Inquisition” delivers solid performance across various gaming platforms, with optimized graphics settings, smooth frame rates, and minimal loading times that maintain immersion during gameplay sessions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, “Dragon Age: Inquisition” stands as a monumental achievement in the realm of role-playing games, offering a vast and immersive experience filled with rich narrative, complex characters, and meaningful choices. From the opening moments at the Conclave to the climactic battles that determine the fate of Thedas, the game captivates players with its epic scope, diverse gameplay mechanics, and unforgettable storytelling.
Whether embarking on main quests to close the Breach, exploring expansive regions for hidden treasures and lore, or forging alliances that shape the world’s destiny, “Dragon Age: Inquisition” invites players to embark on an unforgettable journey through a world teeming with danger, intrigue, and the enduring spirit of heroism. As the Inquisitor, your choices and actions will define not only your legacy but the future of Thedas itself.