BioWare recently offered more details about its upcoming role-playing game Dragon Age: Inquisition to GameInformer in their latest issue, detailing the state of the world and how the player arrives at the central role in the story. The magazine issue also contains a number of new screenshots showcasing the game's visuals.
According to the preview, top-ranking agents from the Circle of Mages and Chantry meet together for peace talks after the events of Dragon Age 2 in an attempt to end the war that began at the end of the second game. Unfortunately for these emissaries, a portal to the Fade (that’s where the demons are from) opens up in the middle of the sky and kills everyone. The player survives the blast, escaping the Fade, but comes out with a mark on his or her hand that allows interaction with various breaches to the Fade.
The player has the unique ability to enter into these tears, and that becomes a “key factor” in the player’s ascension to becoming the head of the Inquisition. However, the mark also makes the player a target by those who consider him or her a threat. It’s up to the player to find out who’s out to kill him or her and that makes up a big portion of the game’s storyline.
Thus far, the story sounds a lot like another BioWare-developed title, Baldur’s Gate, and its deal with a mysterious stranger who wants to kill the protagonist.
The preview goes on to state that building up the Inquisition is a parallel form of progression for the player, alongside advancing the player’s personal abilities. There are apparently three facets to the progression of the Inquisition, led by a particular character each. Each one of these facets has its own talent tree and through them, you unlock various benefits for the player character and the Inquisition. Benefits include the ability to strengthen your soldiers, bring in more gold, or give a personal boost in gathering crafting materials.
As previously detailed, the player will also be able to customize Skyhold, the Inquisition home base and center of the player’s operations.
One location detailed in the preview is a location called Emprise Du Lion, in the highlands of Dale. You have the option of invading the place with your Inquisition army against Templars who have taken over.
Interestingly enough, the preview states that most of the content in Emprise Du Lion is so difficult that the player won’t even be able to experience them until the post-game, implying that there is going to be more content for the player to explore even after the campaign has ended.
Dragon Age: Inquisition will be out for the PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 and PS4 on october 7, 2014.