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Dragon Age: Inquisition

Name: Comprehensive Review and Analysis of Dragon Age: Inquisition
Item: Dragon Age: Inquisition
Author: Critik Editorial Team

2014

GenresFantasy, Adventure, Action, Third Person Perspective, Open World, RPG, Top-Down Perspective, Military and Warfare, Single Player, Multiplayer

AvailableNov 18, 2014

PlatformXbox One, PC, PlayStation 4

DeveloperBioWare

Overview

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a role-playing game and the third main game in the Dragon Age series. It is set in the Thedas continent, the same fantasy world as the two previous games. It consist of two large countries: Ferelden (from Dragon Age: Origins) and Orlais, as well as the land inbetween. True to the spirit of the series the character can be customized for appearance, sex, class and race. The available races are dwarf, elf, human, and Qunari and the classes are mage, rogue, and warrior with three specializations each. To grow the Inquisition experience needs to be earned by completing quests, which allows the player to further define allegiances and pursue romances. A custom party can be defined and each member benefits from experience as it opens up access to better weapons and more abilities. Power points open up new areas and Inquisition points define the influence over the region; each new level provides a perk that benefits the entire Inquisition.

Elsewhere

8.6

Game analysis

Monster Scorecard

EXPAND ALL

Story and Narrative

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY

Story Score

Positive (80-100)

76%

Mixed (50-79)

24%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Dragon Age: Inquisition are varied, with some praising its depth and engaging narrative, while others find it lacking in originality and emotional impact. In terms of positives, several critics highlight the vastness and engagement of the story. GameTrailers mentions that the game has numerous small stories that build a meaningful whole, while NZGamer praises the compelling framing narrative that ties together various game elements and quests. Critical Hit praises the interweaving tales and the noticeable impact of player choices on the world. The Escapist also mentions the twists and reveals that reference previous Dragon Age games and DLC, appealing to fans of the series. These positive aspects of the story contribute to the immersive and expansive experience that the game offers. On the other hand, there are critics who find negatives in the story of Dragon Age: Inquisition. IGN and Telegraph both criticize the story for lacking heart, pathos, and a memorable villain. Telegraph specifically mentions the reliance on hackneyed plot devices and the lack of meaningfulness in the narrative. GameCritics notes that the story starts off muddled and confusing, although it improves later on. These criticisms suggest that the story may not fully resonate with all players and may have missed opportunities to deliver a more impactful and original narrative. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While some critics, such as Critical Hit, Gameplanet, and MMORPG.com, praise the story for its depth, world-building, and well-written nature, others, like IGN and Telegraph, find it lacking in emotional depth and originality. However, it is worth noting that many critics appreciate the immersive world and engaging quests that the story offers. The positive aspects of the story, such as its vastness, engagement, and cohesive narrative balance, seem to outweigh the negatives for many reviewers. Ultimately, the story of Dragon Age: Inquisition may appeal to players who enjoy exploring a richly detailed world and making impactful choices, but it may not resonate as strongly with those seeking a more emotionally resonant and original narrative.

TL;DR

story and narrative

Critics have mixed opinions on the story of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Some praise its depth and engaging narrative, while others criticize it for lacking originality and emotional impact. Positive aspects include the vastness of the story, engaging quests, and player choices that impact the world. However, critics point out flaws such as a lack of emotional depth and a memorable villain. Overall, the story may appeal to those who enjoy immersive world-building and impactful choices, but it may not resonate with everyone seeking a more emotionally resonant and original narrative.

Gameplay Mechanics

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY

Gameplay Score

Positive (80-100)

77%

Mixed (50-79)

23%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.

The majority of the critics praised the gameplay of Dragon Age: Inquisition, with many highlighting its positive aspects. Arcade Sushi commends the immediate and strategic combat, emphasizing the variety of ways to create and seize advantage. Critical Hit describes the combat as slick, fluid, and satisfying, with the tactical camera being a useful feature. GameTrailers notes that the combat offers both immediacy and tactical options, while also praising the well-done character progression. IGN mentions that the gameplay combines old-school BioWare tactics with action-oriented combat, providing both direct control and tactical coordination. Softpedia highlights the solid experiences of combat and exploration, as well as the need for solid thinking and tactics. However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Telegraph mentions that the focus on making all approaches viable sometimes leads to a lack of depth in the combat system. Gameplanet criticizes the game for lacking tactical options in combat, with a poorly designed tactical camera. Guardian points out issues with the camera and the treatment of magic. Cheat Code Central finds the combat system boring, while Digital Spy mentions that side missions can be less interesting and more focused on fetch quests. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Dragon Age: Inquisition is very good. The positive aspects of the gameplay, such as the immediate and strategic combat, well-done character progression, and the combination of old-school tactics with action-oriented combat, were highlighted by multiple critics. The negative aspects, including the lack of depth in combat, issues with the camera, and some less interesting side missions, were mentioned by a few critics but did not overshadow the overall positive reception of the gameplay. The majority of the critics found the gameplay mechanics to be polished, engaging, and enjoyable, making Dragon Age: Inquisition a highly recommended experience for gamers of all levels.

TL;DR

gameplay mechanics

Critics mostly loved Dragon Age: Inquisition's gameplay for its immediate combat, well-done character progression, and blend of old-school tactics with action-oriented combat. Some critics noted issues like lack of depth in combat and boring side missions, but overall, the game received positive feedback for its polished and engaging gameplay experience. Highly recommended for all gamers.

Graphics and Visual Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS

Visual Score

Positive (80-100)

79%

Mixed (50-79)

17%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Dragon Age: Inquisition are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praise the game's stunning landscapes and incredible attention to detail in character design. Arcade Sushi describes the visuals as having "sweeping landscapes and incredible character detail." Critical Hit commends the game's varied and interesting art direction, mentioning the breathtaking beauty and stunning vistas. IGN also highlights the diverse and well-designed environments, with a smart balance between open spaces and narrow paths in the landscapes of Ferelden and Orlais. Official Xbox Magazine UK emphasizes the beautiful and expansive regions brought to life by the Frostbite 3 engine. While the majority of the critics were impressed with the graphics and visual design, there were a few minor criticisms mentioned. Telegraph notes that despite the well-realized environments and varied landscapes, the game struggles to convey a sense of impending destruction. Softpedia mentions that while the characters have plenty of detail, there are moments when their faces look like they are made of wax. Cheat Code Central criticizes the visuals, pointing out visual errors, stiff character animations, and screen tearing. Digital Spy mentions that while the environments are technically impressive, they lack intrigue and the enemy designs are predictable and lack flair. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the Graphics and Visual Design of Dragon Age: Inquisition are very good. The game is praised for its stunning visuals, beautifully rendered maps, and attention to detail. Gameplanet describes the visuals as "stunning" with detailed locations, while Impulsegamer commends the game for its impressive graphics, realistic level design, and well-animated characters. The immense scale of the world and the large exploration zones are also highlighted as positive aspects by Game Informer. The few criticisms mentioned do not outweigh the overall positive sentiment expressed by the critics. Dragon Age: Inquisition is widely regarded as visually elegant and one of the best-looking games around, particularly on PC as noted by Pelit (Finland).

TL;DR

graphics and visual design

Critics rave about Dragon Age: Inquisition's stunning graphics and visual design, praising its landscapes and character detail. While some mention minor flaws like stiff animations and lackluster enemy designs, the overall consensus is overwhelmingly positive. The game is lauded for its attention to detail, beautifully rendered maps, and impressive scale, making it a visually elegant and top-notch gaming experience.

Music and Sound Design

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN

Sound Score

Positive (80-100)

55%

Mixed (50-79)

45%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.

The Sound Design and Music of Dragon Age: Inquisition received a mix of positive and negative opinions from the critics. Several critics praised the soundtrack and music of the game. Arcade Sushi described it as a "fittingly haunting soundtrack," while COGconnected mentioned that the audio is crisp and clear, with wonderful background noise. Pelit (Finland) also praised Trevor Morris' excellent soundtrack, stating that it greatly adds to the atmosphere. These positive opinions highlight the immersive and atmospheric qualities of the game's sound design and music. However, there were some negative opinions regarding the sound in Dragon Age: Inquisition. IGN mentioned that the game suffers from occasional sound issues, such as random cutouts during battles. This inconsistency in sound can be disruptive to the overall gameplay experience. Softpedia also criticized the uneven voice work, with some characters being disappointing. While the main character and most companions sound great, this inconsistency in voice acting can detract from the overall immersion of the game. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Dragon Age: Inquisition has a well-designed and immersive sound experience. The majority of the dialogue in the game is voiced by actors, adding to the immersive experience, as noted by ActionTrip and GRYOnline.pl. The voice acting and writing are of high quality, with characters expressing themselves through subtle gestures, according to Guardian. Additionally, the soundtrack delivers impressive main themes and cool battle tunes, as mentioned by Softpedia. Despite occasional sound issues and uneven voice work, the positive aspects of the sound design and music contribute to the overall positive reception of Dragon Age: Inquisition.

TL;DR

music and sound design

Critics had mixed opinions on the sound design and music of Dragon Age: Inquisition. While many praised the haunting soundtrack and immersive atmosphere, some criticized occasional sound issues and uneven voice work. Overall, the game offers a well-designed and immersive sound experience with high-quality voice acting and writing, despite some flaws.

Voice Acting

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VOICE ACTING

Acting Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the voice acting.

The voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition has received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics. Many critics praised the spot-on dialogue and the diverse and interesting cast of characters. They highlighted the emotionally deep characters and skilled writing, which contributed to a highly immersive experience. Critics such as Critical Hit and GRYOnline.pl commended the well-written dialogue and most of the voice acting, with memorable characters like Dorian and Varric. GameTrailers also mentioned the remarkable and relatable personalities of the characters, with personal stories that seep into the game despite its scale. COGconnected praised the in-depth characters and the strong attachment created through the cutscenes and character interactions. The conversation choice system, as mentioned by The Escapist, allowed for an impressive amount of expression, further enhancing the voice acting experience. Freddie Prinze Jr.'s performance as Iron Bull, as highlighted by The Escapist, was also entertaining. Overall, the positive opinions of the critics indicate that the voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition was highly regarded for its quality and contribution to the game's immersive atmosphere. While the majority of critics praised the voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition, there were a few mentions of negatives or areas that could be improved. Softpedia mentioned that the voice work was uneven, with some characters being disappointing. However, they also acknowledged that the main character and most companions sounded great. The villains, on the other hand, were described as entirely disappointing. Game Revolution also noted that some dialogue options led to predictable responses, suggesting a lack of depth in certain areas of the voice acting. These criticisms, although present, were not widely echoed by the other critics, indicating that they may be more subjective or isolated experiences. In conclusion, the overall consensus among critics is that the voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition was very good. The majority of reviewers praised the well-written dialogue, diverse and interesting cast of characters, and emotionally deep performances. The voice acting contributed to an immersive experience and created a strong attachment to the characters. Despite a few mentions of unevenness or areas for improvement, the positive opinions of the critics outweighed the negatives. The high quality of the voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition is evident in the positive reception it received from the majority of critics, making it a standout aspect of the game.

TL;DR

voice acting

Critics overwhelmingly laud the exceptional voice acting in Dragon Age: Inquisition for its spot-on dialogue, diverse characters, and deep emotional performances, creating an immersive and engaging experience. While some critics mention minor flaws like unevenness in voice work and predictable dialogue options, the overall consensus is highly positive, making the voice acting a standout feature of the game.

Technical Performance

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE

Tech Score

Positive (80-100)

Mixed (50-79)

93%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.

In terms of the Technical Performance for Dragon Age: Inquisition, the opinions of the critics varied across different gaming platforms. Starting with the positives, some critics mentioned that a day-one patch was expected to address technical annoyances, such as dialogue hanging and interface elements not working, on both Xbox One and PC versions of the game (IGN). Additionally, Game Revolution stated that the game on PS4 was overall polished and presented with the player in mind. These positive remarks suggest that the developers were aware of the technical issues and actively working on resolving them, which is a good sign for players. On the negative side, there were several criticisms regarding the Technical Performance of Dragon Age: Inquisition on different gaming platforms. Xbox One players experienced crashes, cutscenes that wouldn't load properly, numerous bugs preventing progress, choppy cutscenes, odd animations, and characters getting stuck in the environment (Arcade Sushi, GameTrailers). PC players encountered odd sporadic moments when characters appeared and disappeared at a speed that would make Tyler Durden jealous, noticeable pop-in issues with open locales, and issues with multi-monitor setups (AusGamers). PS4 players faced visual errors, screen tearing, odd world glitches, crashes, audio bugs, and graphical hiccups such as objects popping into frame and unstable animations on the battlefield (Cheat Code Central, Game Informer, Slant Magazine). Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Dragon Age: Inquisition had technical issues across all gaming platforms. While some critics mentioned that the game was polished and presented with the player in mind (Game Revolution), the majority of the reviews highlighted various technical annoyances and bugs. However, it is worth noting that some critics mentioned the expectation of a day-one patch addressing these issues (IGN). This suggests that the developers were aware of the problems and actively working on resolving them, which could potentially improve the Technical Performance of the game for all platforms.

TL;DR

technical performance

Critics had mixed opinions on the Technical Performance of Dragon Age: Inquisition. Positive remarks noted a day-one patch to fix issues on Xbox One and PC, while some praised the polished experience on PS4. However, criticisms included crashes, bugs, choppy cutscenes, and visual errors on all platforms. Despite some positives, technical problems were prevalent, but hopes were high for improvements with a forthcoming patch.

Replay Value

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SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE

Replay Score

Positive (80-100)

75%

Mixed (50-79)

25%

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.

Dragon Age: Inquisition has received overwhelmingly positive reviews regarding its replay value. The majority of critics praised the game for offering a vast amount of content and activities that keep players engaged for hours on end. Critics such as Critical Hit and Impulsegamer highlighted the game's immense scale and the potential to spend over 100 hours exploring its main storyline and side quests. AusGamers also mentioned the game's various opportunities to impress or disappoint colleagues and pursue romantic interests, adding to the game's replayability. Additionally, the game's multiplayer mode, as mentioned by IGN and Softpedia, was seen as enjoyable and added to the overall replay value. However, there were some criticisms regarding Dragon Age: Inquisition's replay value. Telegraph mentioned that the game's lack of focus and purpose may impact its replayability. X-ONE Magazine UK expressed disappointment in the lack of depth in the multiplayer mode. Softpedia also noted that while the game offers a lot of content, the multiplayer mode may require further evolution to fully enhance the replay value. Overall, the consensus among critics is that Dragon Age: Inquisition offers exceptional replay value. The game's vast world, numerous side quests, and optional activities provide players with a wealth of content to explore. The ability to make choices that have lasting effects, as mentioned by Polygon, adds to the game's replayability. Critics like COGconnected and Cheat Code Central praised the game for its abundance of content, while Game Informer highlighted the continuing support in the form of free DLC for the multiplayer mode. The positive opinions from multiple critics, combined with the praise for the game's replay value, indicate that Dragon Age: Inquisition is a highly replayable experience.

TL;DR

replay value

Dragon Age: Inquisition wows critics with its massive world, engaging storylines, and endless activities, offering over 100 hours of gameplay. Despite minor criticisms of multiplayer depth, the game's replay value shines through player choices, romance options, and a plethora of content. With ongoing free DLC and positive reviews, it's clear that this game is a highly replayable masterpiece.

Overall Verdict

MONSTER

OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION

Monster Score

Positive (80-100)

91%

Mixed (50-79)

Negative (0-49)

Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.

Dragon Age: Inquisition received overwhelmingly positive reviews from the majority of critics, who considered it a very good game overall. The game was praised for its vast and immersive world, compelling story, engaging gameplay, and memorable characters. Critics such as GameTrailers, Official Xbox Magazine UK, and Gameplanet highlighted the quality core experience and well-crafted world of Dragon Age: Inquisition. The game was described as a glorious return to form for the series, with Arcade Sushi stating that it is a must-have for most gamers. AusGamers even compared it favorably to Skyrim, praising its consistently fantastic characters, compelling storyline, and breathtaking visual fidelity. However, Dragon Age: Inquisition was not without its flaws. Some critics, like Telegraph and GameCritics, pointed out issues with the story, stating that it was lackluster and lacked motivation. IGN also mentioned technical issues and a vague plot as drawbacks. Cheat Code Central criticized the visuals, stating that they could have been better. Despite these flaws, the negative aspects of the game were overshadowed by its positive qualities. In conclusion, Dragon Age: Inquisition received high praise from the majority of critics, with many considering it a masterpiece and a triumphant return for BioWare. The game's positives, including its vast world, compelling story, engaging gameplay, and memorable characters, were consistently highlighted by critics such as NZGamer, GRYOnline.pl, and The Escapist. While there were some criticisms regarding the story, technical issues, and visuals, they did not diminish the overall positive reception of the game. Dragon Age: Inquisition is widely regarded as a highly enjoyable and immersive experience, making it a must-play for fans of the series and RPG enthusiasts alike.

TL;DR

Dragon Age: Inquisition hailed as a triumphant return for BioWare, praised for its vast world, compelling story, and engaging gameplay by critics. While some flaws like lackluster story and technical issues were noted, the game's positive qualities shine through, making it a must-play masterpiece for RPG fans.

MONSTER

Reviews

158 reviews found

100

NZGamer

Xbox One

Nov 16, 2014