I think that was your problem right there. Once Bioware started talking about taking cues from Skyrim the expectations of DA:I being a complex RPG with interesting systems should of been chucked out the window. Still overall based on what I played I think that DA:I is an improvement over Mass Effect 3 and Dragon Age 2 at least. Of course I assume I still have enough game left to play that there is time for it to completely shit the bed towards the end.
It definitely doesn't shit the bed, but it never really reaches insane heights, either, at least with the gameplay.
The stars of the show here are definitely the character interactions and the gorgeous scenery. It's too bad the systems and minute-to-minute gameplay loop they designed for this game just aren't very interesting.
If you look at it as a follow up to Resident Evil 4? Damn, how could you not be disappointed?
Man, reflecting on this year and just about every big game I played was a disappointment.
Assassin's Creed: Unity
Destiny
Dragon Age: Inquisition
The Evil Within
Infamous: Second Son
Middle Earth: Shadow of Mordor
Thief
Titanfall (glad I got in on the beta and didn't actually buy this one)
were all varying levels of disappointment for me. I feel like I'm just jaded, but I loved stuff like Dark Souls II, which a lot of people seemed displeased with.
Other than Dark Souls II, I feel like only Mario Kart 8, Divinity: Original Sin, The Banner Saga, Shovel Knight, and Wolfenstein left a lasting positive impression on me this year.
I still really need to play Bayonetta 2 and Far Cry 4, though.