Dragon Age: Inquisition Review: 'quite easily the best RPG of the year'

Platform reviewed: PS4

I will be the first to admit that western-developed role-playing games have never been my forte. Perhaps it's because I got tired of the fantasy-medieval settings that western developers seem to prefer. That all changed when I played Dragon Age: Origins--it instantly hooked me on its world with a compelling story and tactical combat. Naturally when Dragon Age II came out, I was ecstatic. Although I enjoyed Dragon Age II, its repetitive dungeons and locations were quite a letdown. So I waited patiently and thought, 'Will Dragon Age ever again reach the heights of Origins?” With the release of Dragon Age: Inquisition, I am happy to report that not only does BioWare reach those heights, it sets a new bar that every RPG developer should aspire to.

Story and Character Creator

Spoilers for Dragon Age II ahead: Skip the next two paragraphs if you have not finished the divisive sequel. When we last stepped into the world of Thedas, tensions between the Templar and Mages were reaching a boiling point. Knight-Commander Meredith's corrupt and tyrannical rule had begun to spread throughout the city. She abused the Mages of Kirkwall with extensive use of torture, forcing the Rite of Tranquility upon the mages (which equates to a lobotomy for a mage) alongside her Chantry superiors unwilling and unable to control her. First Enchanter Orsino, the head of the Circle of Magi in Kirkwall, decided to topple Meredith's leadership. When he failed, the Mages were forced to revert to blood magic, and a battle between the Templars and Mages ensued.

The Mage Anders had enough of the battle and orchestrated a massive explosion that leveled the Kirkwall Chantry and everyone in it, including its Grand Cleric. This act triggered a war between the Mages and the Templars across the city, forcing Hawke (the hero of Dragon Age II) to choose a side in the conflict. With Anders’ actions, the Circles of Mages from across Thedas began to rebel against the Chantry, leading to an all-out war across the land.

Dragon Age: Inquisition begins with peace talks scheduled to take place between the Templars and the Mages, led by Divine Justinia V. Before talks can begin, a massive rift opens in the sky and destroys the temple, killing hundreds of Templars, Mages, and Justinia herself. But one survivor emerges from the rubble, and that survivor is you. As you emerge from the rubble, you are quickly apprehended by Cassandra, who players will remember as the seeker interrogating Varric in Dragon Age II. Cassandra, along with the rest of the clerics, accuses you of the attack.

Convincing Cassandra that you can try to help close the breach in the sky, you're allowed to accompany her to the breach, which has begun unleashing demons and spirits from the Fade. Fighting off the demons and spirits, you discover you have the power to close these smaller rifts that have begun appearing all over the land. You later encounter Varric and newcomer Soles, an elf mage, and together you set off in hopes of discovering what happened and what caused the breach in the first place. 

Arriving at the breach, you discover from a vision that Devine Justinia cast you out of the temple before it was destroyed by an ominous force calling itself the "Elder One." After a massive boss battle, the party successfully closes the breach, but the hole in the sky remains and this hole continues to open rifts all over Thedas.