It’s been a staple in RPGs for so long now. You head to the new major city and pick up a pile of quests to complete and hand back in. They might make you journey into the countryside, but the starting points are all bundled together. Dragon Age: Inquisition is forging a new questing path.
Speaking to VG247, lead designer Mike Laidlaw explained that it all links back to the main theme – the Inquisition is growing, which pushes back enemies and claims new territory.
By doing that what I’m hoping is that the side quests still feel tied back to the main story in that by completing them you’re growing your Inquisition and then that in turn is what enables you to go on the big [quests]. Like ‘okay, now we’re gonna lay siege to this fortress’ or what have you. Rather than it just being well, you could do them and you’ll get some gold – nah! At that point, they feel pretty trivial.
In fact, while you don’t have to sink all 200 hours of gameplay into Dragon Age: Inquisition, you will be forced to explore to some extent:
If you do the bare minimum, you do still have to engage with some of the exploration content. The exploration content is what empowers you to pursue the core story, right? You can’t do only core story. That’s one of the fundamental changes is that the exploration content is part of that experience
This is why side missions will often only pop up when you’re already exploring the area. As you explore, you might find tombs or special events that could unlock items that might be used to impress others and get them to join the Inquisition. It all ties together, something that I saw even in my short time with the game. I did a small task, but I saw my Inquisition power grow. It definitely triggers my need to complete all side missions possible, which means that I’ll be exploring the entire map and getting all sorts of extra goodies.
The more I hear about the game design, the more excited I get. I know I need to contain myself – too much excitement or hype and the game will feel disappointing by comparison. However, it’s just got too many things that I want in one game to ignore how excited it makes me.
Last Updated: November 6, 2014
Ghost In The Rift
November 6, 2014 at 14:39
Think i should name my character “Dog”,and when i do a side quest the NPC’s will say “fetch boy fetch”,which i seriously hope is not the case with this game.
Willem Swanepoel
November 6, 2014 at 14:40
ETA 15 days till hype train hits stores near you! I need to stock up on food and booze for all those hours being locked in my cave…
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 6, 2014 at 14:45
Hope you have more than one, cave that is. 😉
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 6, 2014 at 14:41
So it works like the galactic readiness in ME3.
RinceThis
November 6, 2014 at 14:42
Are you galactic ready though?
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 6, 2014 at 14:48
I’m so ready I could do something that would demonstrate how ready I am. What that would be escapes me right now because my readiness takes all my attention. But it will be very demonstrative.
RinceThis
November 6, 2014 at 14:49
0_O
RinceThis
November 6, 2014 at 14:42
Getting excited about this game, all the potential uses for microtransactions blow my mind.
Hammersteyn
November 6, 2014 at 14:50
http://s1.ibtimes.com/sites/www.ibtimes.com/files/styles/v2_article_large/public/2014/02/10/dungeon-keeper-money-message.png?itok=t9Xfujrq
Alien Emperor Trevor
November 6, 2014 at 14:55
haha Never forget! What’s that save game thingy they’re so proud of? Dragon Age Keeper? 😉
Matewis Jubilai
November 6, 2014 at 14:56
Don’t do that! I almost punched my own monitor!
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:17
Now you reminded me why I hate EA.
Hammersteyn
November 6, 2014 at 15:35
That’s one reason, would you like some more.
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:39
No thanks. My week’s been terrible as it is.
Kensei Seraph Never Forget
November 6, 2014 at 14:46
Hey, that header is misleading.
I remember at least 6 areas that you had to go to for side quests in DA2… is what I’d like to say but I can actually only remember 2 areas.
Ghost In The Rift
November 6, 2014 at 14:53
And 1 cave with extreme deja vu!!
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 6, 2014 at 14:55
In ME2 the trigger for the Collector abduction caught me off-guard the first time. Rushed in and lost some important squad mates. Reloaded the game and I didn’t rush in and completed all the loyalty quests – lost everyone of the abductees. I hope there are things in this game like that which are time/mission dependant to screw with us!
Admiral Chief 0
November 6, 2014 at 14:55
Hahaha, loyalty first!
RinceThis
November 6, 2014 at 14:58
Haha! I think I managed to keep them all!
Lardus-Resident Perve
November 6, 2014 at 15:05
My 2nd and 3rd play-through I kept everyone alive as well – helped to know recruiting Legion gives you 2 missions before the abduction. So 2nd and 3rd play-through I finished everything except Talis mission, got him, took him along for her mission, did his and BAM everyone stays alive and I can make the two races play nice!
RinceThis
November 6, 2014 at 15:56
So much win! Damn you! Now I want to play again!
BacchusZA
November 6, 2014 at 16:38
Screwed it up on my first play through, was all “meh, whatever, the redshirts will all be fine on the Collectors’ ship, I’ll just finish this mission, and that loyalty quest, and go fetch pizza and beer, and swoop in to rescue them all”.
Cut to a few hours later, and it was a very Darth Vader-esque “NOOOOOOOO!!!! KELLY!!!!!!” as I arrived just in time to watch her get fed into the food processor. I was legit traumatised and felt soul-crushingly guilty, and had to revert to an earlier savegame so I could prevent that from happening.
Brady miaau
November 6, 2014 at 15:19
I got lucky first playthough, all worked out for me. Saved everyone, did all the deeds. 2nd play through? Whoops.
Johann
November 6, 2014 at 14:58
I’m so psyched for this game. Pre-ordered on Xbox Live last night, R100 cheaper than a physical copy in store. 41GB download though
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:19
Shadow of Mordor was 44gb on pc. And considering how much bigger the map of DA:I is than SoM, it’s well worth it.
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:03
Another bit of “inspiration” from Skyrim. Which only intrigues me more about DA:I
Brady miaau
November 6, 2014 at 15:18
Zoe, I think you may be right about the increased expectation causing a want for a game that could never be.
I have not watched many videos, for that reason alone.
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:21
I’m YouTube handicapped at work (when I’m most on Lagz) and I haven’t watched a single DA:I video.
Brady miaau
November 6, 2014 at 15:34
Well, it is so right up my alley, the game already has an address AND mail. Courier, of course, not post office
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:41
Yes. The post office problems have really messed up a few things for me. I’m out R600 for something I was meant to receive months ago, but I assume never will.
Brady miaau
November 6, 2014 at 15:50
My wife as well. She actually got one or two items from China now. Through post office.
But we know of someone who received her new cellphone, just a box with no contents
Captain JJ the pout
November 6, 2014 at 15:51
O_O
Mine is from South Korea. So maybe there’s hope.
Sageville
November 6, 2014 at 16:08
Zoe Nightmares: “Sorry Zoe, you are too close to this one… perhaps intern should do the review…..”
Her Highness the Hipster
November 6, 2014 at 16:23
i actually dibsed to NOT review it – want to play it without my critical brain turned on.
Sageville
November 6, 2014 at 16:27
Huh, never thought of it that way, suppose critical brain would hurt the enjoyment of a game. #GamezJurnalistProblems
Brady miaau
November 6, 2014 at 16:39
OK, makes sense. Enjoy it!
20twelve
November 7, 2014 at 08:03
I cannot wait for this game….