Unraveling the Tapestry: How Many Endings Are There in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

The world of Thedas is vast, the stakes are high, and the choices are yours. Dragon Age: Inquisition, BioWare’s epic RPG, is celebrated for its intricate narrative and player agency. One question that often surfaces amidst the dragon-slaying and political intrigue is this: Just how many endings are there in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

The short answer? There isn’t a single, easily definable number. Initial reports, fueled by previews and developer comments, suggested upwards of 40 “major endings with variations.” While technically accurate in spirit, this number is misleading. Instead of 40 entirely distinct conclusions, the game features a handful of key endings, each significantly shaped by the player’s decisions throughout the campaign. These decisions influence everything from the fate of nations to the composition of your inner circle, leading to a multitude of nuanced variations on the core finales. It’s more like a constellation of possibilities emanating from a few central points.

The game’s ending is not necessarily a neat and tidy “Game Over” screen. Instead, it’s more of a cliffhanger that leads directly into the Trespasser DLC. This DLC serves as an epilogue, wrapping up loose ends and setting the stage for future Dragon Age installments. It’s within Trespasser that many of the consequences of your choices truly solidify, impacting the future of Thedas and the Inquisitor’s own destiny. So, when considering the “endings,” it’s essential to factor in the impact of both the main game’s conclusion and the Trespasser DLC.

Therefore, while a concrete number is elusive, Dragon Age: Inquisition offers a rich tapestry of endings, woven together by your actions, alliances, and moral compass. Your unique Inquisitor will experience a conclusion distinctly their own, even if it shares fundamental elements with other playthroughs.

Delving Deeper: Key Factors Shaping the Endings

Several crucial elements dictate the shape and flavor of your Dragon Age: Inquisition ending:

• Major Story Choices: Obvious forks in the road, like allying with the Magi or Templars, have immediate and lasting consequences that ripple through the narrative and ultimately affect the ending.

• The Divine Election: The choice of who becomes the Divine – Leliana, Cassandra, or Vivienne, or disbanding the Chantry altogether – has profound political and religious implications for Thedas and, consequently, the world’s future.

• The Fate of the Wardens: Your decisions regarding the Grey Wardens, their alliance with Corypheus, and their ultimate fate profoundly impact the Blight and Thedas’s long-term security.

• War Table Operations: While seemingly minor, completing or ignoring certain War Table missions can influence the availability of resources and allies during the final battles and the overall political landscape.

• Romances and Relationships: Your chosen romances and friendships with companions will directly impact their fates and involvement in the ending sequences. A loyal companion will stand by your side through thick and thin, potentially altering the course of events.

• Judgment of Captured Enemies: The decisions you make regarding the fates of captured enemies, such as the Envy Demon and the Venatori leaders, reflect your Inquisitor’s moral code and can trigger unexpected consequences later on.

FAQs: Answering Your Burning Inquisition Questions

Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Dragon Age: Inquisition, addressing a variety of topics relevant to understanding the game’s intricacies and possibilities.

1. Are there multiple endings in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

Yes, but not in the traditional sense of dozens of entirely distinct endings. There are a few core endings that are heavily modified by your choices throughout the game, resulting in a multitude of variations.

2. Does Dragon Age: Inquisition have an ending?

Yes, but it is a cliffhanger that leads directly into the Trespasser DLC, which provides a more conclusive epilogue.

3. Will Cassandra rejoin the party after the ending?

Yes, if you speak with her at Skyhold after the main story, she can rejoin your party for post-game exploration.

4. Does Dragon Age: Inquisition have choices that matter?

Absolutely. Choices regarding alliances, leadership, and personal relationships have significant consequences that shape the world and the ending.

5. Can you marry someone in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

Yes, but only in the Trespasser DLC. Both Cullen and Sera can marry the Inquisitor in on-screen ceremonies, provided they have been romanced.

6. Can you have sex in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

Yes, if you successfully romance a character, the game will imply intimacy through cutscenes.

7. Can you date Cassandra as a woman?

No. Cassandra can only be romanced by a male Inquisitor.

8. Can you still romance Cassandra if she becomes Divine?

No. If Cassandra becomes the Divine, it ends the romance. However, you can choose to allow her to rejoin your party.

9. Should I soften Leliana?

Whether you soften or harden Leliana will influence her actions and beliefs, especially if she becomes Divine. A softened Leliana is more compassionate, while a hardened Leliana is more ruthless.

10. Who should be divine, Leliana or Cassandra?

Each has their strengths. Leliana is skilled at politics and desires the role, while Cassandra is honest and incorruptible but dislikes politics. The best choice depends on your vision for the Chantry.

11. Can you have more than one love interest in Dragon Age: Inquisition?

No. While you can flirt with multiple characters, you can only pursue one romance at a time. Trying to juggle multiple relationships will eventually lead to a confrontation.

12. Does Solas take your arm?

Not necessarily. The Trespasser DLC reveals that the Anchor’s influence has severely weakened the Inquisitor’s arm, and the exact circumstances of its removal are left somewhat ambiguous.

13. Does Cassandra like the Templars?

As a Seeker, Cassandra supports the Chantry’s institutions, including the Templars and Circles. To gain her trust, suggest reforming rather than abolishing these organizations.

14. Can you romance Vivienne?

No. While you can flirt with Vivienne, she is not a romance option.

15. Why is Solas evil?

Solas’s motivations are complex. He’s not necessarily evil but driven by his belief that he can restore the ancient elven world, even if it means sacrificing the current one. His actions are driven by a desire for what he believes is a greater good, but his ego and inability to admit mistakes lead him down a destructive path.

Beyond the Game: Learning and Dragon Age

Video games like Dragon Age: Inquisition offer rich opportunities for learning and skill development. From strategic decision-making and problem-solving to empathy and understanding of complex social dynamics, games can be powerful educational tools. The Games Learning Society explores these connections, researching and promoting the use of games in education and beyond. Discover more at GamesLearningSociety.org.

Ultimately, Dragon Age: Inquisition’s diverse endings highlight the game’s core strength: player agency. Your journey through Thedas is uniquely your own, shaped by your choices and leaving an indelible mark on the world. And like all great tales, its ending, however varied, leaves you pondering the choices you made and the future that awaits.