While the last set of Dragon Age: Inquisition images released by BioWare showed the verdant forests of the Emerald Graves, today’s update gives us a look at a much harsher, less hospitable region of Orlais; The Western Approach.
First appearing in the novel Dragon Age: Asunder, this barren stretch of land was permanently corrupted by Darkspawn when they emerged from the Abyssal Rift to the south. A stark and unlivable area, the Western Approach was the site of a major battle during the Second Blight, and is home to the Adamant Fortress, a Dwarven keep once used by the Grey Wardens as an outpost.
Despite its uninhabitable environment, the Western Approach shown in these images is quite beautiful, and resembles the American Southwest with its red rock formations, sparse greenery and blinding sandstorms. It’s a shame, however, that we didn’t get a night-time shot of the region, as it may have shown us the breathtaking auroras that fill the skies of the Western Approach as described in Dragon Age: Asunder. The Adamant Fortress features some impressive architecture and statuary, and should be fun to explore and possibly reclaim for the Grey Wardens.
We’ll be exploring the Western Approach along with the rest of Orlais when Dragon Age: Inquisition launches Oct. 7 for the PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, Xbox One and PC.