Anticipation has been growing for the eventual release of BioWare's Dragon Age 4 in recent months, particularly as E3 2021 ed without any new footage of the game. As many begin to look towards EA Play Live as a potential source of news, speculation has also grown regarding the game's story and returning characters. In particular, fans want to know if the previous protagonist of the series from Dragon Age: Inquisition will have a role in DA4.
EA's alternative to the E3 Expo, EA Play Live, is scheduled for July 22, and many are looking forward to the potential of new Dragon Age 4 progress updates. Some have even speculated that a release date for the game could finally be provided. The title was first announced back in 2018, and since then several trailers have been released, although none have given many clues regarding DA4's gameplay. Some, however, have hinted at story elements and companions from previous titles that may feature heavily in the game.
It seems probable that Solas is being set up as the main antagonist of Dragon Age 4, but he isn't the only character to have made a return in BioWare's trailers. Varric provided the narration for the trailer that dropped back in 2020. More recently, DA4 was confirmed to be taking place in Tevinter, leaving many to speculate that Dorian will have a fairly large role within the game as well. However, given the return of these companions, some are beginning to wonder whether the player character from the previous release, Dragon Age: Inquisition, will be appearing in Dragon Age 4 at all.
Why The Inquisitor's Return Seems Likely In Dragon Age 4
The Dragon Age series has brought previous player characters back in the past. Hawke, the protagonist of Dragon Age 2, played a pivotal role in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Although the Warden, the player character in Dragon Age: Origins, doesn't make a physical appearance in the game, they're frequently mentioned by other characters and can even send a letter to the Inquisitor at one point. Considering this, it doesn't seem all that unreasonable to assume that the Inquisitor may make at least a small appearance within Dragon Age 4, particularly if their previous companions and advisors are heavily involved in the game's story.
Although some NPCs serve as companions across multiple games in the series - Varric, for example, can be used in both Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition - the majority of the cast within new releases tends to be new characters, or at least ones who haven't been available as a companion to the player in the past. Because of this, it's unlikely that DA4 will serve as a direct continuation of Dragon Age: Inquisition - it will probably feature a new protagonist and largely new companions even if several familiar characters do reappear throughout the game. That being said, as more Dragon Age 4 news is revealed it appears more and more likely that the Inquisitor will have a major role.