When BioWare released Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2014, the studio introduced the Dragon Age franchise to the modern era of gaming. With sweeping open zones, expansive party dynamics, and complex systems that invited players to lead a political revolution as much as a military one, Dragon Age: Inquisition redefined what a modern RPG could be. It was a bold departure from the experimental, more reactive designs of Origins and Dragon Age 2, aiming instead to create a blockbuster-scale experience without losing the narrative weight the franchise is known for.
Over a decade later, Inquisition still holds as one of BioWare’s most ambitious titles. And in 2025, there's never been a better time to return. Whether revisiting it to compare with The Veilguard or playing for the first time, the best way to experience Inquisition now may be to start entirely fresh. From understanding deeper mechanics to appreciating companion stories in full, a new playthrough lets players approach Thedas with a fresh perspective and a bit more wisdom.
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Inquisition: An Important Piece Of Lore For The Dragon Age Series
BioWare is no stranger to creating narrative epics that span the course of several games. Although Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 set the stage for the larger world and setting, Dragon Age: Inquisition heightens the stakes of that world. The game not only pushed the overarching narrative into new, cosmic territory but also solidified key relationships, ideologies, and conflicts that continue to shape the series. For those looking to fully understand the stakes of The Veilguard and what lies ahead, Inquisition is an all-time great RPG that serves as an essential piece of the puzzle.
Catch Up On Events That Shaped The Veilguard
Sometimes, to look forward, one must look back. BioWare’s games are deeply interconnected. Major events, like the Inquisitor’s final choices, form the setup of what came with The Veilguard. With The Veilguard finally on shelves and fans parsing its take on the franchise, many players are reconsidering their choices in Inquisition. A new playthrough in 2025 offers a chance to revisit crucial decisions with fresh context and an optimized point of view—especially with Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC that puts The Veilguard’s chess pieces on the board. Starting over helps align a player’s Inquisition with the moral or narrative priorities they want to explore after seeing some aftermaths as explored in The Veilguard.
Inquisition Is A Less Controversial Title
BioWare’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard launched to critical acclaim. The same cannot be said for the fandom, whose reception of the game was incredibly divisive. The Veilguard’s release was marred by controversy, resulting in some media repercussions that overshadowed the game’s narrative and potential. EA reported that Dragon Age: The Veilguard fell short of financial expectations, piggybacked by major layoffs at BioWare. Overall, The Veilguard struggled to meet the hype set by its franchise and its followers—leaving a sour taste in many players’ mouths.
Inquisition is perhaps a throwback to a simpler time in Dragon Age history when in-fandom fighting and divisive discourse did not spring out of a title. Although Inquistion was not entirely free of controversy, it was at least a game that was well-received across the board when it came to both critics and long-time fans of the series.
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Inquisition is BioWare’s Craftsmanship at Its Best
Sometimes, players should revisit a game just by virtue of it being a stellar example of video game magic. Dragon Age: Inquisition is perhaps among the best titles produced by BioWare, gaining many accolades that include the very first Game of the Year award at The Game Awards. Whether players are familiar with BioWare’s many offerings or are just considering picking up their first BioWare title, they cannot go wrong with Dragon Age: Inquisition.
A Stellar Cast Of Companions
BioWare’s flagship franchises are known for many reasons, but a true virtue of the developer’s history is its character writing. One of Dragon Age: Inquisition’s greatest strengths is its cast of characters. Characters like Cassandra, Dorian, Iron Bull, and Blackwall offer rich, personal stories that evolve alongside the main plot. But in early or quickened playthroughs, players can miss key companion quests or make decisions that end certain arcs or romances unfavorably.
Starting over in 2025 means doing the stories of Inquisition’s dual-sided companions justice. It means investing in the quiet moments: revisiting banter, choosing different party configurations, and watching how relationships grow when prioritized. It also allows players to explore different potential paths, which could dramatically shift the emotional tenor of the game.
The Strength Of A Solid Visual Identity
The Dragon Age series has never quite settled on what the defining aesthetics of the franchise could look like. This stems from a variety of reasons, from the graphical limitations of the time of a game’s release to the evolving identity of a franchise that became more popular over time. However, Dragon Age: Inquisition took this unstable identity and used it to create something truly unique.
The visual identity in Dragon Age: Inquisition is a true highlight of the series. The game's aesthetics effectively underscore the dark themes and plot elements of the narrative without becoming overly grim or disjointed. The stylization feels sophisticated, yet a natural progression for the series. And Dragon Age: Inquisition’s companion tarot cards that evolve with a character’s story are among the most inspired aesthetic choices for the game.
Master The Complex Systems Of Inquisition
For players looking for a true challenge, Dragon Age: Inquisition doesn’t just offer a main quest—it invites players to lead an organization with intricate moving parts. The War Table, political alliances, requisition orders, crafting systems, class builds, and Skyhold upgrades all give players the tools to shape their Inquisition according to their playstyle and values.
That said, many players didn’t fully grasp how to navigate these systems on their first run. Starting over in 2025 means players can approach the game with a better understanding of mechanics: how to spend Inquisition perks effectively, what gear is worth crafting, which companions benefit most from certain party roles, and how to maximize approval gains or romance outcomes. With hindsight, every decision becomes more meaningful.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 88 /100 Critics Rec: 92%
- Released
- November 18, 2014
- ESRB
- M for Mature: Blood, Intense Violence, Nudity, Sexual Content, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- BioWare
- Publisher(s)
- Electronic Arts
WHERE TO PLAY
- Engine
- Frostbite
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
