While being part of the same series, Dragon Age Inquisition and Dragon Age Origins are very different games. Despite being so different, we cannot help but compare the two since they are in the same world with even some of the same characters.
After looking at many forums that already discuss which game is better, most gamers say Origins. However, the reasons appear to mostly be matters of taste. Some even say Dragon Age 2 is their favorite, and that one is known to be the least popular by critics. So, here are some reasons fans may find Inquisition better—and some as to why other fans may see Origins as better.
Updated February 12th, 2021 by Meg Pellicio: Dragon Age fans are really excited about the forthcoming release of Dragon Age 4, with Bioware teasing players with snippets of information, teaser trailers, and concept artwork to keep the hype alive. Many fans are replaying the older titles in the series to keep them entertained while they wait for their new adventure in Thedas.
This in turn raises the age-old question of which title is the best in the series, with most fans immediately dismissing Dragon Age 2 as a contender, leaving just Origins and Inquisition in the running. Check out these seven reasons as to why each game is the best Dragon Age game to date.
14 Inquisition Gives More Insight into the Wider World
It's only natural that a more modern game with better technological features is able to offer a lot more in terms of gameplay, and a much larger world, but one of the best things about Inquisition is the insight it gives players into the world of Thedas. Though different places and nationalities have been mentioned or represented in previous games, it was great to be able to travel to Orlais and experience the culture first-hand.
Players were also given a glimpse into the ancient elven culture at the Temple of Mythal, and despite not yet visiting the Tevinter Imperium, Inquisition also offered more insight into this culture with Dorian and his side quests, as well as a number of main quests and other side quests.
13 Origins Had Multiple Endings
One of the great things about Origins is that player decision felt far more impactful, especially where the ending was concerned. Though it was a given that players would have to face the Archdemon, the who and how of it can be changed. The Warden can choose to sacrifice themselves, or Alistair or Loghain in their place, and as a result, remove them from appearing in any future titles (all three can appear or is referenced in Inquisition depending on choices made).
Or, players could do Morrigan's dark ritual, either impregnating her themselves or using faithful companion Alistair, meaning that no one had to die. However, in Inquisition, the end was pretty much the same with no real impact other than whether Morrigan fights as a dragon on your behalf, or the Guardian of Mythal does.
12 Inquisition Features More Dragons
For a game called "Dragon Age", there were surprisingly few dragons in Origins, with the player only really battling three proper dragons in total throughout the game, though there are smaller drake-like enemies.
However, Dragon Age: Inquisition really upped the ante when it came to the legendary beasts and truly lived up to its title by adding in 10 optional High Dragon bosses that players could fight, as well as the dragon battles tied to the main storyline.
11 Origins Allows Multiple Romances in One Playthrough
One of the fan-favorite aspects of any Dragon Age game is being able to romance your companions, but this is something that Origins arguably did better than either of its sequels. Here's why, Origins allowed you to romance more than one character in a single playthrough, though you couldn't be in a relationship with more than one simultaneously, you could romance one and end it, then move on to the next.
This was ideal for accolade hunters who wanted to get all trophies/achievements as it meant fewer playthroughs were required. However, in subsequent Dragon Age titles, you can only romance and obtain a romance accolade for one character per playthrough.
10 Inquisition Has More Romance Options
Having said that Origins was better for the digital lotharios out there who have a lot of love to give, Inquisition ultimately offered a wider variety of characters to romance. A lot of gamers care a ton about romance in their RPGs. It's nice to make friends with various characters, but the story often feels enriched when you can know one or a couple more intimately.
In Origins, you have Zevran, Leliana, Alistair, and Morrigan as romance options. In Inquisition, you have Solas, Sera, Cullen, Josephine, Iron Bull, Blackwall, Dorian, and Cassandra. That is nearly double the romance options.
9 Origins Has Origin Stories
This aspect of Origins is something fans really wanted in Inquisition but did not get. Depending on what race and what class you picked, you got a personal story that acted as a prologue to the main story.
It was a spectacular role playing element that really made Origins special. This allowed you to understand your characters background, culture, and even decide their motivations. It encouraged the role playing element, and it even would change how you saw the main story as you revisit your past later on at various moments in the game.
8 Inquisition Has Better Graphics
Though better graphics don't automatically make for a better game, it is really hard to go back to Origins after playing Inquisition due to the extreme gap in the graphics quality. Just the screenshots we have in this article show the jarring difference between the two games. No matter the opinion of which game is better overall, it is obvious which is visually more stunning.
There are plenty of fan-made mods to help breathe some life back into Origins and make it look a little better, but even then, it just can't compare to the gorgeous graphics of Inquisition.
7 Origins Has A Better Big Bad
A major flaw in the Dragon Age games after Origins is their villains. The stakes were very high in Origins, as it was a paranormal army led by basically a zombie dragon. They were un-feeling, powerful, and mysterious.
In Inquisition, the main villain is actually someone you already beat in Dragon Age 2. It is an individual that is not really explored. Though, to be honest, it may just have served as buildup to Inquisition's big twist at the end. However, that all means it was just a lead up to the next game which is not satisfying for a single title.
6 Inquisition Has More Exploration
The lands of Inquisition are very big and open. The Hinterlands alone may even have more to explore than the entire game of Origins. You could discover little Easter Eggs and tons of random cheeses, which is a big Dragon Age joke. It was obviously inspired by the open worlds of Elder Scroll games, and it did come out right after Skyrim.
Additionally, it's not just about the space, but what Bioware did with it. There is so much extra content and lore that players can discover by exploring the world of Thedas, and it's little secrets and interesting quests that players can discover that really encourages them to explore all the more.
5 Origins Has A Better Final Battle
The final battle of Inquisition was a major disappointment to its fans. It comes out of nowhere in the villain's last-ditch effort to kill you. There is little build-up and there is a lack of emotion in it compared to the Battle of Denerim in Origins.
You say goodbye to each companion, knowing that you or they might die. You have an intense night before the battle too, with Morrigan's shady offer to do a god-baby ritual. There are armies, dead people, and that weird scene where Sandal somehow kills an entire room of Darkspawn. It is pretty unforgettable.
4 Inquisition Has Playable Qunari
Inquisition has one more race option than Origins. It is pretty great, too, since it is a race that is original to the Dragon Age franchise, unlike elves and dwarfs. Fans were very excited about this and still appreciate it even though it did not come with an origin story.
One negative about this is that the Qunari option did not measure up to the other races in terms of additional dialogue choices and romance options. Still, it is definitely a positive for Inquisition as many fans love this race and it is great that they got the option to play as one.
3 Origins Has Better Pacing
In terms of pacing, Origins had the magic touch. The beginning, middle, and end all felt perfect in terms of timing and length. Inquisition's pacing was not as great, especially since the final battle comes out of nowhere. This may also be because Inquisition is very much over-saturated in exploration and busywork rather than the core story.
Origins focused more on the task at hand: get allies, defeat Darkspawn, and save Fereldan. Inquisition was less focused due to the number of companions you had to work with, the many fetch-quests, and the amount of exploration.
2 Inquisition Has More LGBT Characters
Dragon Age has always been a progressive series for LGBT characters. On that front, Inquisition has done the best job with representation. Origins had Leliana and Zevran as bisexual, but that was all. In Inquisition, you have gay, lesbian, transgender, and bisexual characters.
It was a big deal because most LGBT characters in video games are bisexual because the companies are afraid to make gender-locked romances that are not straight. Bioware did it and it paid off well in the characters, especially the Tevinter mage Dorian Pavus, who had drama with his family due to being a gay man.
1 Origins Has Less Busywork
A big complaint from the fans is that Inquisition has too many fetch-quests. In fact, when the game first came out, a ton of players were not leaving the Hinterlands because there were endless little quests to do on such a massive map.
It got to the point where everyone online was making it a joke and telling each other it was okay to leave and to enjoy the story instead. Origins never did that to its players. What side quests there were felt like they mattered more too.