Okay, let's talk Dragon Age Inquisition on PlayStation 4. Seriously, if you're holding that controller wondering if it's worth diving into this massive RPG on your console, or maybe you're already knee-deep in demons and political chaos, this is the no-nonsense guide you actually need. I've sunk over 200 hours into the PS4 version across multiple playthroughs – the good, the bad, the "why won't this stupid wartable mission finish?!" moments included. We're covering everything from performance quirks to must-have DLCs, stuff most guides gloss over.
Gripping the Controller: What You Get with Dragon Age Inquisition PS4
Fire up Dragon Age Inquisition on your PS4 and you're stepping into this huge, messy, beautiful fantasy warzone. You lead the Inquisition, trying to seal these giant holes in the sky (called rifts) while dealing with warring nations, ancient elves, and your own growing power. It honestly feels huge compared to older Dragon Age games, especially roaming the open areas on console. The PS4 version is the full package, no compromises on scope. Honestly, sometimes it feels almost too big, especially when you're trying to find that last shard in the Hissing Wastes at 1 AM.
Visually? It holds up surprisingly well even now. Thedas on PS4 has these jaw-dropping moments – sunsets in the Emerald Graves, the creepy glow of the Deep Roads. Yeah, textures aren't always razor-sharp close up, and you might spot some pop-in here and there, but the art design carries it. Hearing the crackle of the rift-closing magic rumble through your controller speaker? That immersion is pure PS4 magic you don't get elsewhere.
PS4 Performance & Loading: The Real Talk
Let's not sugarcoat it – the loading screens. Oh man, the loading screens. Traveling between major zones? You've got time to make a coffee, especially later in the game. It was annoying back in 2014, and it's still annoying now.
| Performance Aspect | PS4 Experience | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Frame Rate | Solid 30 FPS (mostly) | Generally smooth combat feel, occasional dips in massive battles |
| Resolution | 1080p Native | Clear visuals, decent texture detail |
| Load Times | Long (25-45 sec avg) | Biggest pain point, especially when backtracking |
| Crashes/Bugs | Occasional (less post-patches) | Save often! More frequent in late-game zones |
Pro Tip: Install the game on an SSD if you can. Swapping out the stock PS4 hard drive for a solid-state drive cuts those load times almost in half. Seriously, it's the single best upgrade for your Dragon Age Inquisition PS4 playthrough. Makes those Hinterlands fetch quests slightly less painful.
Controls & Interface: Console Comfort
Playing Dragon Age Inquisition on PS4 feels different than PC. The radial menu for abilities takes getting used to, but once you get the muscle memory down, swapping spells mid-fight becomes second nature. Looting and navigating the tactical camera (hold L1) work surprisingly well with a controller. My biggest gripe? Inventory management is clunky. Scrolling through hundreds of items gets old fast. Wish they'd implemented a better sorting system for consoles.
Essential Dragon Age Inquisition PS4 Info at a Glance
Need the cold, hard facts? Here’s the quick rundown every PS4 player should know before jumping in:
- Install Size: Base game ≈ 45GB. Game of the Year Edition ≈ 70GB. Clear some space!
- PS4 Pro Enhancements: None officially. Runs same as base PS4 (disappointing, I know).
- Latest Patch: Version 1.12 (fixed tons of quest bugs, but some linger).
- Save Transfer: PS3 saves? Nope. Dragon Age Keep website required for world state choices.
- Multiplayer: Still functional! Servers are up, though finding groups takes patience.
DLC Deep Dive: What's Worth Your Crowns on PS4?
BioWare released some killer DLC for Inquisition, but buying them piecemeal gets pricey. Here’s the lowdown:
| DLC Name | PS4 Price (USD) | Essential? | Why You Care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trespasser | $14.99 | MUST-HAVE | The true ending of the game. Seriously, don't skip this. Huge story payoff, new areas, major lore. |
| The Descent | $14.99 | Recommended | Deep Roads adventure. Tough combat, great loot, answers dwarf lore questions. Atmosphere is top-notch. |
| Jaws of Hakkon | $14.99 | Recommended | New Frostback Basin zone. Beautiful environment, challenging fights, explores Inquisition history. |
| Black Emporium | Free | YES | Free! Get the Mirror of Transformation (change appearance anytime), unique gear, and a weird cat. |
| Multiplayer Packs | $1.99 - $4.99 | Skip | Cosmetic items or multiplayer boosts. Not needed for single-player enjoyment. |
My advice? If you love the base game, spring for the Game of the Year Edition. It includes all story DLCs and costs way less than buying separately. Playing Trespasser on PS4 felt like the proper finale the base game deserved – that final scene still gives me chills.
PS4 Gotcha: Activating DLCs on PlayStation can be fiddly. After purchase, you MUST manually download each DLC pack from the PSN store (Library > Your Collection > Dragon Age Inquisition > PlayStation Store > Your Add-ons). Then, inside the game, check 'Downloadable Content' under Options to verify they're enabled. Took me an hour of frustration to figure that out on my first playthrough!
Beating the PS4 Quirks: Performance Tips & Fixes
Alright, let's tackle those annoying console-specific issues head-on:
- The Infamous Skyhold Bug: Game freezes when entering Skyhold? Reload an older save BEFORE approaching Skyhold. Disable any equipped trials in the Settings menu before entering. Works 90% of the time.
- Long Load Times: SSD upgrade is king. If not, disable "Connect to Dragon Age Servers" in Network Settings. Reduces background checks that slow loading.
- Weird Texture Pop-in: Annoying but mostly harmless. Try restarting your PS4 completely (not rest mode). Avoid fast-traveling constantly.
- Crashes During War Table: Save IMMEDIATELY before using the War Table. Complete advisor missions one at a time. Don't spam selections.
- Controller Disconnects: Seems tied to long play sessions. Fully power down your PS4 (don't use rest mode) every few hours. Weird, but it helps.
Playing Smart: PS4-Specific Gameplay Tips
Mastering Inquisition on controller needs a different approach:
Combat Tweaks: Go into Settings -> Gameplay and turn on "Auto-Attack". Saves your thumb from button mashing. Tweak "Stick Sensitivity" if the camera feels sluggish. Use the tactical camera (L1) liberally to position your party members – crucial for tough dragon fights!
Managing your inventory is painful on console. Here's how I cope:
- Purge Often: Sell or dismantle junk gear constantly. Don't hoard "maybe" items.
- Crafting is Key: Seriously, craft your own gear. Store-bought stuff is mostly trash. Use the search filter! (Triangle button in inventory).
- Use Storage Chests: Found in Haven/Skyhold basement. Dump unique schematics or gear for other builds here.
PS4 Trophy Hunting: What's Tricky
Platinum on PS4 is doable, but brace yourself:
- Nightmare Difficulty: Play as a Knight-Enchanter Mage. It trivializes most fights. Save constantly.
- Dragonslayer: Kill all 10 high dragons. Emprise du Lion dragons are hardest. Come prepared with fire/cold resistance gear.
- Harbinger: Close 75 rifts. Easy but grindy. Do side zones like Exalted Plains thoroughly.
- Belle of the Ball: Wear formal attire at the Winter Palace. Buy the "Velvet Choker" from Val Royeaux merchant early!
The "Trials" trophies are brutal. "Walk Softly" (Trials active for 5 hours) glitched on me twice. Backup saves are mandatory.
Community Corner: The PS4 Multiplayer Scene (Still Alive?)
Surprisingly, yes! You can still find Dragon Age Inquisition multiplayer matches on PS4, especially evenings (EST/PST). Don't expect instant queues, but it works. Stick to Threat Level I or II missions for quicker matches. Playing as an Arcane Warrior or Katari feels fantastic with a controller. Loot drops are still RNG hell though.
Dragon Age Inquisition PS4 vs. Other Platforms
Worth a quick comparison? Sure:
- PS4 vs. PS5: Runs via backwards compatibility. No enhancements (faster load times only if using PS5 internal SSD). Visuals identical to PS4.
- PS4 vs. PC: PC wins on mods (cosmetic fixes, quicker war table), graphics settings, load times (with SSD). PS4 wins on big-screen couch comfort and vibration feedback.
- PS4 vs. Xbox One: Virtually identical performance/content. Choose based on controller preference.
For pure value and accessibility? The PS4 version holds up remarkably well as a console RPG experience nearly a decade later.
Your Dragon Age Inquisition PS4 Questions Answered (FAQ)
Is Dragon Age Inquisition PS4 Game of the Year Edition worth it?
Absolutely yes. The base game feels incomplete without Trespasser DLC, which is included. Buying GOTY is cheaper than the base game + DLCs separately on PSN. Plus, you get all the cosmetic packs and multiplayer items bundled in.
How long is Dragon Age Inquisition on PS4?
Massively variable. Just the main story? Maybe 40-50 hours. Doing substantial side content? 80-100 hours. Completionist run with all DLCs? 130-170+ hours. My first playthrough, trying to do everything, clocked over 160 hours. Pace yourself!
Can I import my Dragon Age Keep world state on PS4?
Yes! This is crucial. Before starting a new game, go to Dragon Age Keep in a browser. Log in with your EA/PSN account. Create your custom world state (choices from DA:O and DA2). Name it and export to Dragon Age Inquisition. Launch the game on PS4, select 'New Game', then 'Import a World State' when prompted. Check it loaded correctly in the character creator!
Does Dragon Age Inquisition run better on PS4 Slim or Pro?
Marginal difference at best. The Pro doesn't have a dedicated enhancement patch. You might get slightly more stable framerates in hectic battles on the Pro, but the resolution (1080p) and core performance are identical. Load times might be a tiny bit faster on Pro if both use stock HDDs, but putting either console on SSD is the real game-changer.
Are there any PS4-exclusive features or content?
Nope. Dragon Age Inquisition content is identical across all platforms. The only "exclusive" is the timed mission "Destruction of the Darkspawn Guild" which expired years ago. Nothing gameplay-critical was locked to PS4.
Why does my PS4 sound like a jet engine playing Dragon Age Inquisition?
This game pushes the PS4 hardware, especially in detailed zones like Emerald Graves or during massive battles. It's normal (though annoying). Ensure your PS4 has plenty of ventilation space. Cleaning out dust from the vents can help reduce fan noise. Switching to an SSD also generates less heat than the stock HDD.
The Final Verdict: Should You Play Dragon Age Inquisition on PS4?
Look, if you love deep RPGs with fantastic characters, tough choices, and a world that sucks you in, Dragon Age Inquisition on PS4 is absolutely still worth playing in 2024. Yes, the load times suck. Yeah, the inventory is clunky. But the core experience – the story, the companions (Dorian forever!), the dragon battles, the sheer scope – that magic is still there. It feels great on the couch with a controller. Grab the Game of the Year Edition on sale, install it on an SSD if you can, and maybe keep your phone nearby for those loading screens. Dive in, close some rifts, and save Thedas. You won't regret it.
Just... maybe don't try to complete every single shard collection. Trust me on that one. Some quests aren't worth the headache, especially playing Dragon Age Inquisition on PS4.
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