How Inquisition`s Tweaked Combat May Save The Dragon Age Brand

Bioware are hoping to undo the damage done by Dragon Age II with a revamped combat system for Dragon Age: Inquisition

The once strong Dragon Age IP has had its name sullied in recent years. Despite obvious technical shortcomings, Dragon Age: Origins was a bit of a smash when it debuted back in 2009. The quality dipped slightly in the sizeable expansion pack Awakening, before it really took the critical plunge* with the undercooked Dragon Age II two years later. Admittedly, the rise to power of Bioware’s other RPG giant didn’t help matters either. First child syndrome, anyone?*Like, it scored 7s. The horror…Well, with Mass Effect nowhere to be seen and thus unable to steal its thunder, Bioware are taking another whack at it with Dragon Age: Inquisition. Not a reboot, less a reimagining but a decided reinvigoration of the brand, Inquisition is overhauling policies for the new console generation. Out go the repeated environs, in come expansive open areas and interconnecting hubs. You’ll now be able to capture forts and keeps to spread the influence of the titular inquisition across the map for greater resource benefits. Customization will no longer be the laughing stock of the (admittedly niche) fantasy RPG realm and romance will no longer devolve into buying your paramour’s affections with gifts and trinkets. Bioware, it seems, have finally come round to the notion that treating your lovers like cheap hookers isn’t the best way to build a stable relationship.