Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare and EA’s highly anticipated title, is set to launch this fall, marking the series’ return after a decade-long hiatus. This single-player RPG aims to be a return to form for BioWare, following the less-than-stellar reception of Anthem. If you’re planning to dive into The Veilguard’s world, revisiting the series’ lore is highly recommended. Luckily, the PlayStation Store Summer Sale presents the perfect opportunity to catch up with Dragon Age: Inquisition.
For the remainder of July, the Game of the Year Edition of Dragon Age: Inquisition, which includes the 50+ hour RPG and all its DLC, is available for just $4 on the PlayStation Store. This represents a massive 90% discount from its usual $40 price tag. If you’re looking for a great deal during PlayStation’s Summer Sale and plan on playing The Veilguard, securing Dragon Age: Inquisition for $4 is an absolute steal.
Inquisition begins with the player surviving a devastating explosion at The Conclave, an event that tears a hole in the Veil, a mystical barrier surrounding the world of Thedas. After halting the breach’s expansion, the player becomes a pivotal figurehead leading an inquisition dedicated to sealing the remaining breaches. The game unfolds as a world-spanning RPG adventure, filled with encounters, recruitments, and impactful choices that shape the narrative. It encapsulates classic BioWare storytelling.
The Veilguard displays clear connections to Inquisition, with familiar faces like Solas and Varric playing significant roles in its opening. Harding, a supporting character from Inquisition, becomes a full-fledged party member in its sequel. While jumping straight into The Veilguard is possible, playing Inquisition first offers a smoother transition into Thedas’ world and introduces you to its characters beforehand.
As players rebuild and expand the inquisition, they discover open-ended areas ripe for exploration. The game’s visuals and gameplay have aged gracefully compared to its Dragon Age predecessors. Its diverse locales are vibrant and adorned with stunning vistas. Actions undertaken in these open worlds contribute to the inquisition’s growth, providing a visible sense of rewarding progression beyond character stat increases. Combat leans towards action but seamlessly incorporates magical abilities and complex RPG systems into encounters.
Even a decade after its release, Inquisition remains a captivating experience, offering dozens of hours of engaging gameplay. Even for those who’ve played it before, trying out different classes, specializations, or making different choices can lead to entirely different experiences. The Game of the Year Edition encompasses all of Inquisition’s DLC, ensuring a complete and enriching playthrough.
In terms of scale, Inquisition stands as one of BioWare’s most ambitious games. It’s an achievement the studio has yet to surpass. Mass Effect Andromeda, while impressive, lacked the polish and detail found in games like Mass Effect 3 and Inquisition. Anthem, despite its ambitious multiplayer elements, ultimately fell short of its RPG aspirations due to its misguided live-service approach.
Almost a decade later, Inquisition remains the benchmark that BioWare strives to reach with The Veilguard. Revisiting this 2014 classic provides valuable insights into the bar that BioWare needs to meet with the next installment in the series. At just $4, this is an easy recommendation and one of the best deals available in 2024’s PlayStation Store Summer Sale.
The PS4 version of Dragon Age: Inquisition – Game of the Year Edition will remain at the discounted price of $4 on the PlayStation Store until 11:59 p.m. PT on July 31st. If you’re an Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscriber, you can also experience this game on PC or Xbox One through the EA Play catalog.
