tldr: I replayed Dragon Age: Inquisition in 2024 on Steam and if you're wondering whether this game is still worth playing a decade after its release, here’s my simple answer: YES.

A little nugget of wisdom before we dive into the actual review: you HAVE TO use the EA App, even if you’re launching it from Steam. 🙄

BUY THIS GAME ON SALE. Don’t let EA pocket any more of your hard-earned cash than they already have.

Here’s a big tip: If you can, play Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age 2 first. THEY ARE GREAT GAMES! And trust me, your choices in those games matter. Use the Dragon Age Keep website to import your decisions—it allows you to carry over your choices into Inquisition. The best part? When you import your save into DA:I, you’ll see the results of your decisions—both the good and the bad. It's like a “choose your own adventure” book but with much higher stakes and far more emotional damage. Plus, if you play the earlier games first, you’ll understand DA:I’s world and characters much better.


DA:I was released during the 2014 shift in video game quality and it still holds up remarkably well. It’s visually stunning, the writing is solid, and it gives you a wealth of content. However, and it’s a big HOWEVER, the game does suffer from bloat. It is a great 40-60 hour game wrapped up in a 100+ hour package. There are a ton of side quests that eventually start to feel like filler. Let’s get something straight: you don’t have to do every side quest. I know, shocking, right? The game hands you a mountain of activities, but you don’t have to climb every single peak. Do what feels fun. Focus on the main story when you’re feeling purposeful but feel free to deviate when something catches your eye. Don’t fall into the trap of clearing areas one by one like it's some sort of scavenger hunt. Circle back when you’re at a higher level and the enemies don’t make you question all your life choices. The side quests are mostly world-building—they flesh out the universe but aren’t necessarily designed to make you grind for hours.

And, oh boy, don’t get me started on the Hinterlands. That first zone? It’s huge. It’s overwhelming. And it’s probably where a lot of players gave up because the game doesn’t tell you that you’re supposed to be a much higher level before tackling some parts of it. (But at least it’s a great place to practice your “crying while running away from overpowered enemies” skills.) And let me tell you, YOU WILL RUN A LOT. Like this:

https://steamoss.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=502918832

Without giving anything away, the story has it all—drama, betrayal, tragedy, fun, dancing, parties, suspicion, and a history so complicated it might need its own therapist. It’s like the ultimate mix of a fantasy epic and a juicy reality show.

Now, let’s talk about the banter. This is the real heart of DA:I. The conversations with your companions are where the magic happens. You’ll get some of the best story moments, inside jokes and emotional scenes from chatting with your crew. And let's not forget the Easter eggs and random hilarity that’ll make you smile. Some companions will nerd out about magic, others will fall in love and some will just get into the most absurd, hilarious arguments. There’s never a dull moment in camp.

Listen to NPCs. Seriously, don’t just rush past the random conversations happening around you—they’re not just filler. Take a moment, hang around in the tavern and listen to the bard songs. Talk to everyone, recruit agents, read the notes and dive into the codex entries. It’s like a treasure hunt, but for lore. You’ll find hidden gems that make the world feel alive.

Thanks to the Frostbite engine, DA:I boasts a color palette that’ll make your eyes dance with joy in different maps. The game still looks stunning, even after a decade. You’ll explore lush green forests, vast deserts, eerie swamps, snowy mountains, and SO MUCH MORE. The graphics hold up incredibly well and honestly, they outshine a lot of games released in recent years. It’s a perfect example of a game that ages like fine wine.

+ You ACTUALLY get to fight more than TEN HIGH DRAGONS. Not just one or two. TEN. And their fights? Super entertaining.

https://steamoss.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3359910348

Also the soundtrack—thanks to the incredibly talented Trevor Morris. Every map has its own unique tune, perfectly capturing the atmosphere of the environment. The game’s highlight moments are brought to life with epic themes that make you feel like you're living through a truly legendary adventure. The soundtrack is as much a part of the experience as the gameplay itself.

Here’s one final recommendation: If you’re into mods, I would highly recommend using some but that’s totally up to you. Frosty Mod Manager has a super user-friendly layout, and some of the mods—especially Bugs Be Gone, War Table - No Waiting and Quicker Looting—will seriously enhance your experience. These little tweaks can make the game flow much more smoothly and save you time, which means you’ll enjoy the game even more. Trust me, once you try them, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

Plays like a bad MMORPG, but without the benefit of meeting other players: Tedious busy work, lackluster exploration, detached feeling combat. Made me play Dragon Age 2 again.

immersive