If three is indeed the magic number, it's certainly working well for Dragon Age. The third instalment in the series is its best yet, and also its most complex. A rich, explorable world with numerous regions to wander and side missions to take on gives you hours of playing time.
The game opens with your character in restraints, suspected of causing the deaths of leaders of the realm. A conclave aimed at achieving peace between the mages and templars was destroyed in an explosion, which resulted in a large rift opening with a demonic world. It’s letting all sorts of nasty characters loose on the world. You appeared from the rift, carrying a mark on your body, leading to the conclusion that you were somehow responsible.
That mark helps you close the mini rifts that are opening all over the world, but it’s also slowly killing you. As the rift widens, the mark spreads across your character’s body; the only chance you have to survive is to try to find a way to close the rift.
This is not an easy one. Alongside the demons pouring through the rifts. you also have to deal with a war that has broken out between the templars and the magi.
A tactical camera mode will give you an overhead view of the battlefield, providing you with a better idea of where your enemies lie and allowing you to command your small squad to better tactical positions. Or you can get your hands dirty and take them on yourself.
It’s tempting to forget your mission and simply go for a wander around the lakes and mountains, which are beautifully designed and rendered. You could easily lose a few hours just seeking out new haunts, finding NPCs to shoot the breeze with, and spreading the influence of the Inquisiton.
But the scale of Dragon Age: Inquisition isn't limited to the size of the world. Side quests are many; as you complete them you will increase your power and influence, and up your character's experience level. Even the smallest decision could have a potential impact on the game further down the line. Replay value comes with the multiplayer option, which gives you a whole new character to fight through dungeons alongside friends. It's completely separate from the single-player campaign. Inquisition isn't perfect. But as far as Dragon Age titles go, it stands tall beside its predecessors.
