snowdrifting

As with every Dragon Age game, this latest entry is a departure from the one before it. It plays like a full action RPG and has distinct visual differences. But overall it is a competent and very polished video game. I didn't encounter a single bug during my time with it at launch. The main story is solid (if you're looking to resolve a particular cliffhanger from Inquisition, you should know that that part is handled far better than you might think after the prologue) and the game invests a lot of time in the main companions (who are still well executed) and their stories. It is a lot like Mass Effect 2 in that respect and in how it's main quests feel. The tighter narrative does seem to come at the cost of cutting some opportunities for choice/player agency and the tone can be inconsistent at times. It should also be mentioned that the dialogue isn't quite as good as prior entries. But these are negligible issues for me compared to what I enjoyed. Not only is the game visually gorgeous, but combat finally feels good in a Dragon Age game as well. No more awkward and slow middle ground between action and tactics. Dragon Age has committed to one style and it was a worthwhile sacrifice. I was having such a good time that I did every side quest I could, which is another thing that has improved since Inquisition. The side quests all feel worth doing and far more substantial than the tedious fetch quests of the past. Not to mention that there aren't any more empty open world zones to traverse. The map/level design is more tightly contained, but there's still plenty of exploration (which is almost always rewarded). Overall, it is a very different Dragon Age game, but it is one worth trying out for yourself. You might find you'll have fun.

This is a superb game that enhances almost everything that the previous installment started. Gameplay is better than ever, story is more complex, the performances are top-notch, and the visuals are stunning. My only critique is that the pacing needed to be better balanced, especially at the end. I also think the exciting setpieces were weighted a little too heavily on the second half of the game and that the first half needed a bit more on that front. Regardless, this is definitely a game that I'll be thinking about for a long time and likely replay in the future.