‘Dragon Age: Inquistion’ E3 Gameplay Trailer Shows Off Hinterlands [VIDEO]

Bioware has released the first part of a gameplay video series displayed at E3. Oh dear gods, who's excited for Dragon Age: Inquisition? Show of hands! I'm assuming you all did just so we can continue to be friends and party members here.

Introducing Dragon Age Companion Cullen

In the 16+ minute video, creative director Mike Laidlaw takes you through the Ferelden Hinterlands, showcasing some really cool-looking features of the game. To get everyone good 'n hooked from the get-go, he happily exclaimed that he created a "fan favorite" female qunari mage to showcase the game's alpha build. Bioware, you are nothing if not audience-savvy!

Besides the hilarious post-Game of Thrones accents (don't remember hearing as many Mancunians in Origins), Laidlaw talks about the game's incredible size. The Fereldan hinterlands, a beautiful autumnal woodland, are said to be "bigger than the whole play area of the first game." The World Master system also sounds very interesting, as it appears to be a mechanic in place to make you feel like you're really influencing the world. For instance, if you kill a bunch of bears in an area in order to craft some armor, the bear population in that area will remain low. Oh and hey: mounts! A first!

Introducing Dragon Age Companion Dorian

My favorite part of the walkthrough was mention of the Focus System, where you can unlock powerful Focus Skills by engaging in teamwork and pulling off combo moves.

Speaking of which, Tactical Mode is back! Pause the game and plan out your moves in a top-down view. I didn't use it a lot in Origins, but I like the fact that you can, at least. A dragon fight near the end of the vid shows us the new targeting system for dragons, where one of your guys can attack the head while another works the wings, for instance. Somebody been playing Guild Wars 2, eh?