So I just completed KotFE for the second time last night and I was struck by how similar the story was with Inquisition. I started breaking down the similar elements just to see if it was all in my head or actually there and no it wasn't actually in my head. Thought I'd list down the similarities here in case anyone was interested:
1. Two factions who are at war with each other are currently holding a truce when a third new faction attacks both sides in an ambush that causes massive casualties. KotFE : Republic and Empire are attacked by the Eternal Empire. Inquisition : Mages and Templars are attacked by Corypheus and his followers.
2. New faction manages to kill off a major character that was trying to unify both sides for a specific purpose. KotFE : Darth Marr who was trying to get everyone to unite against the Emperor. Inquisition: Divine Justinia who was trying to unite everyone to put an end to the war.
3. Hero of the story becomes the greatest threat to the new faction when they acquire a dangerous new ability. KotFE : Hero gets stuck with Valkorion in their head and are able to use his abilities. Inquisition : Hero gets the Anchor in their hand which they can use to close fade rifts.
4. Hero is rescued by their first companion - A woman who belongs to one of the earlier factions but sees the bigger picture. KotFE : Lana was the head of Sith Intelligence in the Sith Empire. Inquisition : Cassandra was a Seeker, considered to be a leader of sorts among Templars.
5. Hero meets their first three companions, who all already have a relationship with one another making the Hero feel like an outsider. KotFE: Lana, Koth and HK-55. Inquisition : Cassandra, Varric and Solas.
6. Hero is brought to a temporary base. KotFE: Asylum. Inquisition : Haven. The base is then destroyed by the new faction. Hero also has their first real fight with main enemy here. KotFE : Arcann. Inquisition : Corypheus.
7. One of the hero's companions informs the Hero of a new possible location for a base. The base can't be found easily by the new enemy and Hero and friends start construction there. KotFE: Odessan introduced by Lana. Inquisition : Skyhold introduced by Solas.
8. By the end of the known story, one of the original three companions leaves the companion roster permanently. KotFE : HK-55 who is destroyed by Arcann. Inquisition : Solas who has other plans.
9. Hero gets air support in dealing with a powerful weapon the enemy has. Though the air support helps the hero, it is damaged in the fight. KotFE : Gravestone vs Eternal Fleet. Inquisition : Dragon Morrigan vs Red Lyrium Dragon.
10. One of the Hero's companions has a crew of their own. KotFE : Koth. Inquisition : Iron Bull.
11. One of the Hero's companions are part a of a once respected order that they believe has lost it's way. They also have a personal connection with the Emperor/Empress. KotFE : Senya Tirell who is a member of the Knights of Zakuul and former lover of Emperor Valkorion. Inquisition : Vivienne who is a member of the Circle of Magi and an advisor the Empress Celene.
12. Both villains originally wanted the power the Hero now possesses. KotFE : If the Hero kneels towards Valkorion, he will begin to share his power with the Hero. Arcann, in a jealous rage, kills Valkorion's physical form. Inquisition : Corypheus wanted to use the Anchor to enter the Fade.
(While not part of the KotFE storyline this last similarity is still worth noting)
13. Hero of this game meets a hero of the previous game. KotFE : Hero meets Revan and Exile. Inquisition : Hero meets Hawke.
Well those are the similarites I've come up with. Don't get me wrong though, I'm not complaining about KotFE's storyline. I enjoyed it immensely but thought the similarities were worth noting. That said, hopefully Mass Effect : Andromeda doesn't follow the same formula. As Assassin's Creed and COD have proven, repeating the same thing again and again eventually makes it dull, even if it was great the first time it came around.
