TGA 2014 GOTY Winner - View Awards Archive
The Inaugural TGA GOTY Winner

Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014 - 2026 Review)

BioWare's grand fantasy roleplaying epic. In-depth analysis of 10 High Dragon battles, Skyhold fortress management, Trespasser DLC, and buying verdict.

What is the Game About?

When a catastrophic blast obliterates the Conclave peace summit and rips open a massive tear in the sky known as the Breach, demons flood the continent of Thedas. As the sole survivor blessed—or cursed—with a glowing green mark on your hand capable of closing Fade rifts, you are declared the Inquisitor.

Dragon Age: Inquisition weaves a sweeping story of political maneuvering, faction leadership, and ancient elven magic. From your majestic mountain fortress of Skyhold, you dispatch scouts across the War Table, forge alliances between mages and templars, and lead a squad of legendary companions (including Solas, Cassandra, Dorian, Varric, and Iron Bull) into real-time tactical battles against 10 colossal High Dragons.

Game Performance & Technical Analysis (2014 – 2026)

Built on EA's Frostbite 3 engine, Dragon Age: Inquisition scales smoothly across modern PCs and consoles:

4K 60+ FPS on Modern PC

Modern GPUs effortlessly maintain ultra settings at native 4K 60–120 FPS with lush volumetric fog, Frostbite particle effects, and high foliage density.

Xbox FPS Boost (60 FPS)

Xbox Series X and Series S run the game at a silky smooth 60 FPS via Microsoft's backward compatibility FPS Boost feature.

10 High Dragon Encounters

Each of the 10 High Dragons features unique elemental vulnerabilities, wing barrier mechanics, and distinct multi-phase arenas.

Essential Trespasser Epilogue

The included *Trespasser* DLC resolves the central character arcs and provides the critical narrative setup for *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*.

Launch Editions & Which Version to Buy

Priced at $39.99 for the complete Game of the Year Edition (frequently discounted to $3.99–$5.99):

  • Game of the Year Edition ($39.99): Contains the base game and all 3 major expansions: *Jaws of Hakkon*, *The Descent*, and *Trespasser*, plus all weapon and mount packs.
  • EA Play / Xbox Game Pass: Included in subscription.

Recommendation: Only buy the Game of the Year Edition—it is often cheaper on sale than the base game alone and includes the mandatory *Trespasser* story.

Rating of the Game

91 / 100
(Inaugural Winner - TGA 2014 GOTY)

Calculated from IGN 8.8/10, Metacritic 89/100, and won the first ever Game of the Year award at The Game Awards 2014.

The Good & The Bad

The Good

  • Thrilling multi-phase tactical battles against 10 unique High Dragons
  • Exceptional companion writing, lively party banter, and rich romance arcs
  • Skyhold fortress customization and War Table strategic missions
  • *Trespasser* expansion delivers one of the finest plot revelations in RPG history
  • Unbeatable value on sale ($3.99–$5.99 for 100+ hours of content)

The Bad

  • The starting Hinterlands area has repetitive fetch quests (pro tip: leave the Hinterlands early!)

Similar Fantasy RPGs Comparison

Game Title Combat Mechanics Party Size MSRP / Sale Price Length
Dragon Age: Inquisition Real-Time + Tactical Camera 4-Hero Party $39.99 (Sale: $3.99) 50 - 100+ Hours
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Action RPG / Signs & Swords Solo (Geralt) $39.99 (Sale: $9.99) 60 - 150+ Hours
Baldur's Gate 3 Turn-Based D&D 5E Rules 4-Hero Party $59.99 (Sale: $47.99) 100 - 150+ Hours
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Fast-Paced Action RPG 3-Hero Party $69.99 (Sale: $49.99) 40 - 70 Hours

Is it Worth Buying?

The Verdict

Dragon Age: Inquisition is a grand, sweeping fantasy epic that rewards patient exploration. At modern discounted prices ($3.99–$5.99), the GOTY Edition is an astonishing value that any RPG enthusiast must play.

Who Should Buy:

Party-based RPG fans, Dragon Age lore buffs, players who enjoy companion banter, castle management, and epic dragon hunting encounters.

Discount Predictor

Frequently on sale at a staggering 85% to 90% off ($3.99–$5.99) across Steam, PlayStation Store, and Xbox Live during EA seasonal sales.

Major Sale Calendar

  • Steam Summer & Winter Sales: 90% off ($3.99).
  • EA Publisher & Spring Sales: $3.99–$5.99 on all digital storefronts.
  • EA Play & Xbox Game Pass: Permanent catalogue inclusion.
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