'Dragon Age: Inquisition' News: Bioware Returns To A Beautiful, Dangerous Thedas [SCREENS]

Bioware has released new screenshots for their highly anticipated sequel Dragon Age: Inquisition and it looks like your return to Thedas will be, if not necessarily a pleasant one, then at least the scenery will make it all worth your while.

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The game itself is a thorough overhaul of the Dragon Age series and will take the best elements from the previous two games, such as the dialogue wheel, while excising those that didn't work out so great, like most of Dragon Age II! Bioware and the game's creative directors and writers listened to fans about what they liked and what they hoped to see in future Dragon Age games and believe that this new game will help reinvigorate the franchise.

The screenshots released feature several varied environments for your enjoyment, including a non-committal place called 'The Western Approach'. An interior location known as 'The Winter Palace' is very beautiful and very empty, a tricky, unnerving combination.

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Inquisition will be a more open ended game, according to Bioware's founder Ray Muyzka, and heavily influenced by The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in that regard. They promise it won't be that open ended and will still guide players along the brand new storyline and characters, but they will also give the illusion of freedom, too.

The game was unofficially announced via Twitter in 2011, and the first trailer came up at E3 last year. Bioware hopes to avoid the rushed and disjointed feeling of Dragon Age II, which came out a scant two years after the original and one can feel confident that the extra time in developing this game will help create a better overall experience. It sure looks great so far.

Dragon Age: Inquisition releases on October 7 of this year for PC, Xbox 360, Xbox One, PS3 and the PS4. Watch the trailer below, and check out all the new screenshots at the official site.