Locations

Dynamic Areas and a "Contained Open-World"

• Players can choose whether to explore an area during the night or during the day.
• Weather effects can affect exploration. In a boggy area, rainfall can make the terrain difficult to move through, making you less agile and move slower. In a desert, a sandstorm can inflict damage to health gradually, forcing the player to find shelter.
• Movement animations are tailored to the type of terrain you are crossing.
• The map works similarly to that of Dragon Age: Origins, where you select your location from a "World Map"
• Each location is that big it is described as a "contained open-world", so you can explore each area like you can explore Skyrim (for example) but there are many contained locations too, reminiscent of the planets in Star Wars: The Old Republic.
• The locations are that big, the team has decided to implement a mount system, which is apparently more than just riding horses.
• Enemies are not scaled to your level, so if you're wondering around and find a High Dragon that's far too difficult for you to kill, you might have to level up and come back again later.

Thedas

• The game is set in "Southern Thedas", which incorporates places such as Ferelden, Orlais, Tevinter, Nevarra and possibly the Free Marches.

Exploration

• Gameplay threads are sprinkled throughout the areas, meaning you should explore as much as you can.
• Investigation can kick off unique side-quests that lie apart from the main story of the game, but yield rewards for your curiosity.
• You can gain strongholds for the Inquisition. For example, if you were to come across a ruined desert outpost, you can restore it and use it for your own needs.
• Mages and Mage party members can restore broken foot bridges.