I didn't get the feeling of no-win in Inquisition, even after Trespasser. Yes, you don't get to have an Ultimate Victory and Happily Ever After butthat's totally ok. Your character still can have fulfillment though. It depends on their personality and goals. I guess a certain type of Hawke can have a win too, it's just that mine was a not entirely selfish one... or at least he thinks he is not. It's not as much about making the world better as it is about the character's personal evolution. For my Hawke there wasn't any evolution at all, it was a descent, a road to despair. And no matter how he tries, he cannot pull himself out of that hole. He can't even in Inquisition. Not because it's impossible, but because he can't make himself do it.

 

I suppose technically a Mage Hawke who hates Templars with a passion could have a pretty justifed 'Good Ending', he has created a world that caused the downfall (to an extent) of the Templar Order and freed Mages. But that's a pretty narrow type of Hawke I guess, and even then it's not a complete win.

I suppose that does make sense...Honestly I think it was a case of feeling alright with everything until the Epilogue where I was struck by my decisions feeling a lot worse or less effective at least. I guess if my goal was fully focused on helping the Inquisition, stopping Corypheus or even claiming power it would lead to a satisfying end. Alright, I see the point there, suppose it's just me personally and Ellana that suffered an unhappy ending.

Yes, he cannot stop the war, but he can at least face the situation with honor. He also can face the conflict with the Qunari with more or less honor. He loses his family but in some outcomes he can at least see his sister/brother more or less happy.

True, I still don't consider the result a happy ending (though that's still probably limited by my personal opinions clouding my opinion on Hawke), but it makes sense. That's true, and I suppose it depends on whether the Hawke is 'selfish'

In DAO you can have either a win or a no-win depending on the character and the choices you make. But In DA2 you cannot shake off the feeling that you are an asshole no matter what, that's what I found disturbing.

I...suppose? It depends on how you look at it, but I guess a City Elf who hates Humans loses no matter what. But yeah there definitely is that difference between the two games. 

I suppose technically a Mage Hawke who hates Templars with a passion could have a pretty justifed 'Good Ending', he has created a world that caused the downfall (to an extent) of the Templar Order and freed Mages. But that's a pretty narrow type of Hawke I guess, and even then it's not a complete win.

I suppose that does make sense...Honestly I think it was a case of feeling alright with everything until the Epilogue where I was struck by my decisions feeling a lot worse or less effective at least. I guess if my goal was fully focused on helping the Inquisition, stopping Corypheus or even claiming power it would lead to a satisfying end. Alright, I see the point there, suppose it's just me personally and Ellana that suffered an unhappy ending.

 Well, that is if the conflict between Mages and Templars hold a high position in Hawke's priorities. If he, say, wants to become rich and famous, then it's pretty much a win and who cares about that war. In my case, Hawke's main priority was to see his family happy and well, hence the no-win.

In Inquisition, my character's main priority wasn't saving the world. That was an important motivation, yes, and the conflict with Corypheus in a way helped her to change her worldview. But her path was really more personal, it was to find a purpose for herself. And she found it. Her story is the evolution of a mindless weapon into a person. However, I agree, there's not much of a win for Ellana Lavellan, especially if she happens to be involved with Solas.

I...suppose? It depends on how you look at it, but I guess a City Elf who hates Humans loses no matter what. But yeah there definitely is that difference between the two games. 

Then maybe the elf should learn to hate them less? Or at least find some semblance of peace with himself and the world? A situation when one hates someone is hardly a happy end, in any circumstances.