There’s little to know of the upcoming game situated in Tevinter, but fans already know what they would like to experience in the Dragon Age: 4.
Dragon Age: 4 is currently in development and fans all over the world are waiting for the release date. It’s been eight years since Dragon Age: Inquisition made its way to the top rankings and won over 130 Game of the Year Awards. Since then, there has only been one cinematic trailer release of Dragon Age: 4, so there’s little to know or expect of the upcoming game situated in Tevinter, but fans already know what they would like to experience in the fourth game of the franchise.
Reddit is full of experienced Hero of Fereldens, Hawkes, and Inquisitors who have played the best and the worst of each game and are certain of what should be included or excluded in the upcoming Dragon Age. Combat systems, commands, character customization, among other expectations, have been shared between savvy Redditors.
Dragon Age: Origins took a huge step in-game narrative when it gave the player the option to choose a race, class, and origin that would lead to a different prologue. The dialogues and overall story were affected depending on whether the Hero of Ferelden was a dwarf, elf, or human – a mage, rogue, or warrior – or a noble, commoner, dalish, among others.
A lot of fans would love for Dragon Age 4 to bring this back, Opensession666 spoke for many when he commented, “I really hope, that Bioware takes its time flushing out just how much your background affects the overarching narrative.” It looks like players would like to feel like they truly own their destiny once more.
Sometimes it can be challenging to control four different characters on the battlefield, and the restrictions within the game mechanics can be frustrating. That’s why Fankyvander pointed out “in Inquisition the tactics options for NPC followers are fairly limited. I would like a bit more depth to that system, let them use potions, bombs or tonics or what not.”
In each previous game title, the combat systems have been changed, and even though Bioware has aimed for more instinctive, friendly, and effective battle tactics for the NPCs, a lot more can be done for the companions of the player to become efficient warriors. This could make combats more enjoyable and tactical in Tevinter.
The Dragon Age series has always been outstanding when it comes to character customization, but many fans are still not satisfied and can see the potential Bioware could achieve through more stylish assets. Perspectivedouble783 commented, “I’m hoping for more cool hair options and for some more badass looking spells.”
Although the overall visuals in Dragon Age: Inquisition makes it one of the best games in the series, a lot of the spells and hairstyles can feel non-creative or standard. Maybe more available extravagant styles and surprising magic effects can make the player feel more unique, attractive, and powerful.
Dragon Age: Origins offered more than seventy spells between Arcane, Primal, Creation, Spirit, and Entropy. As if this was not enough, mages could access four more spells for each of the six specializations. In Dragon Age: Inquisition the spells were reduced into four abilities: spirit, storm, inferno, and winter.
“I wish they returned spells from DA: O. Honestly it was probably like the best spell system I ever saw in RPG,” pechmark commented. Many fans agree with this wish, given that engaging in combat with multiple enemies in the first game felt more tactical and entertaining when so many options for spells were at hand.
But not all opinions in Reddit about DA: I are unpopular. There are players that prefer to not take a distanced combat with spells and arrows. Some rather fight in the front lines without falling into the battle style of a two-handed weapon berserker or a shielded knight, and as one of those gamers, Lichdemon mentioned “At the BARE MINIMUM, I’d love having the option to dual wield as a warrior again.”
Even though Tevinter is the territory of mages and spells, players who love to attack and sink their two blades in the back of an enemy would appreciate being able to choose between dual weapon rogue or warrior again in the fourth title of the franchise. This subdivision of the same combat weapons was definitely appreciated in Inquisition.
It seems a lot of players are feeling nostalgic about the Dragon Age: Origins combat system. Not only are the numerous spells missed, but also the specializations of every class. Beyond the various special attacks each warrior, rogue and mage had, the player could choose one of four different specializations that granted four talents for combat.
Regarding this, Doodlebugfour commented, “I wouldn’t mind seeing Companions having Unique Specializations again. Return of older Specializations such as Bard, Shadow, Berserker, Spirit Warrior, Spirit Healer, and Blood Mage.” A combination of the specializations of Origins and Inquisition will prove to be the best mixture for Dragon Age: 4.
Fans do not only want certain characters to return in Dragon Age 4, but also companion’s quests have to make a strong comeback. Getting to know characters, gaining their trust, knowing their secrets, and helping them in special quests that strengthen the player’s relationship with their fellow companions is one of the things that distinguish the Dragon Age series from any other RPG.
But for some fans dialogues and cut scenes are not enough, and it would be ideal for Dragon Age 4 to have more developed quests. As user Rod133 expresses, “I would like to have complete companion/loyalty quests in DA.” Maybe in the next game, every single companion quest should feel as relevant as Morrigan’s or Varric’s.
Dragon Age: II was not forgotten as a reference for future improvements. User CathanCrowell commented, “I really want back friendship/rivarly system” and a lot of fans reacted in agreement. In Dragon Age: Inquisition it was hard to be disapproved by the companions, but in the previous two games decisions in dialogues felt like walking on a tight rope.
This was not that bad though, as rivalry and approval meant different combat bonuses for Hawke or the whole party in Dragon Age: II. Relationships went beyond chats and cut scenes, and actually altered the conditions of battle.
For a universe with four different playable races, two of them usually take the spotlight. Brotherhoodveronica pointed out “Humans and elves had so many focus in the last two games, dwarves (and qunari) really need a time to shine.” Sadly though, given the story of Tevinter, and Dwarves’ incompatibility with magic, this probably won’t happen.
Everhardt94 also commented, “Agreed. I want to see the Amabassadoria and Kal-Sharok. I want a dwarven companion who actually cares about their culture. I want my dwarf romance already.” There are hopes for other races to have a little more attention and development though, and fans are talking about a probable Qunari invasion.
Almost every player in Dragon Age: Inquisition tried jumping their way through mountains, rocks, and other places only to fail terribly or get stuck in a funny glitch of the Dragon Age series. On this, f0revern1h1l1st commented, “Trying to parkour around levels that weren’t designed for it with a movement system that wasn’t designed for it is frustrating.”
Dragon Age: 4, as most players agree, has to improve its movement dynamics and the main character’s interactions with the surrounding space and objects, as it can become very stressful for the player to have an item recovery quest somewhere on an uneven surface and not be able to complete it without repeatedly clicking A.
“Having the JUMP and the INTERACT command on the same button. No. Just…no,” Knight-Enchanted joked. Nothing is more frustrating than wanting to read a book or pick up an object and jump instead or vice-versa. A player may take several seconds just trying to get it right, and it can be as funny as it can be stressful.
The Most Noble of Creatures followed up the comment by saying, “What, you don’t hop up and down before having a conversation with someone? Weird”. Dragon Age 4 should definitely consider the practicality of its controllers. Between that and the reliable physics, jumping around and interacting with other characters and objects should not be such a headache.
Tamara Garcia is a writer from Mexico with a passion for literature, music, film, and pop culture. Her articles have been published in different Latinamerican music platforms and her poems have also been published in literary magazines. She appreciates art in every shape or form (which has led her to argue video games should be officially considered the eighth art) and is naturally curious, creative, and most of all, a fan of good stories. Consequently, she likes to write about almost anything that involves movies, books, songs, artists, games, or any other subject related to human creativity and artwork.
