Pros & Cons
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- Gorgeous graphics.
- New four-player online co-op mode.
- Deep character customization options.
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- No local co-op mode.
- Some bugs.
Dragon Age: Inquisition ($59.99), the latest role-playing game from developer BioWare and publisher Electronic Arts, puts players in the role of an Inquisitor who leads a team of heroes determined to uncover the truth behind potentially world-ending devastation. It's a lofty goal, and one that's reflected in Dragon Age: Inquisition's play mechanics. BioWare abandoned the previous games' linear gameplay for a more open-world feel. The resulting title is likely to please those who were disappointed with the ho-hum Dragon Age 2. This new fantasy game is a cross-platform, cross-generational release and is available for PC, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4($499.00 at Amazon), Xbox 360, and Xbox One($200.00 at eBay).
The Choice Is Yours
Like the Mass Effect series and other BioWare-developed titles, Dragon Age: Inquisition gives gamers the choice to shape narrative and gameplay experiences. The race, class, and gender that you give your character dramatically affect how non-player characters react to your in-game avatar. For example, a human character may be better received than the horned Qunari (a race that was unplayable in previous Dragon Age games), depending on the situation.An overhauled romance system debuts in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Previous games demanded that you woo characters with gifts to win their affections, but BioWare has moved away from that model. According to the developer, romance (and accompanying tasteful sex scenes) will now be driven by events and situations. Time will tell how the new romance system impacts the unfolding story.
But Dragon Age: Inquisition is so much more than personal interactions. Rest assured that you will slay many enemies. Combat combines Dragon Age: Origin's overhead, tactical commands with Dragon Age 2's flashier, more action-orientated gameplay to give you—once again—choice in how you want to approach the game.
Grab Your (Online) Friends
The Dragon Age series has long been a single-player affair, but Dragon Age: Inquisition adds a long-awaited multiplayer mode. You can now grab up to three friends and participate in four-player, cooperative dungeon-crawling stages. Unfortunately, co-op mode is online only; there's no local option.Still, you can collect loot, salvage items, and craft new weapons and armor. In addition to that, you can unlock twelve characters spread across the Mage, Rogue, and Warrior Inquisition classes. The multiplayer story has no impact on the main, single-player game.