1.)
Very engaging characters (in party and out of party). Most of my points after this are pretty much derived from this.
2.)
Varric tells the story again. His voice actor and writer were F'n epic. The whole "What's happening now is actually the past" aspect of DA:2 was really the only good thing going for it. It added enough speculation right of the start that you couldn't help but be interested in how everything was going to play through.
3.)
Morrigan and Flemeth. I need closure.
4.)
Better combat. DA:2 was too flashy and I had a hard time not having a seizure while I tried to make sense of what was going on. It was too 'Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon / Matrix' for me. Make the combat believable.
5.)
Localized story like in DA:2. It was a great idea. There's no use attempting to one-up the severity and impact the blight has on the world.
---- I HAVE MORE THAN 5!!!

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6.)
Pain and Suffering! Nothing has more impact than losing a 'friend' in a game. I like it when my party isn't equipped with 'plot armor'. People gotta have a chance to die based on my command decisions. Bioware titles flirt with this idea, but it is never implemented properly. Mass Effect 2 was the closest you guys have come to this idea, but it just doesn't count to have them die at the climax. Every corner needs to be a surprise.
Also on the note of death... it shouldn't be pre-decided where and when a character can die. Bad playing, no healer or took too long to heal - If your party member dies... they die! None of this crappy "knocked out" thing. This allows for a few things, like leaving a party member to die. If you want to solo the game with only your Mabari hound (man's best friend... ) it should be your choice.
7.)
The choice to be a leader or a just one of the crew. Rather than pulling that whole auto-text crap option we got in ME:3, just give us the choice to put one of our party members in charge of the group. At least then it fits. You want to just hack and slash and watch the story unfold? Step back and let Alistair or Morrigan call the shots.
8.)
Affect the environment around you. DA:2 should have given you the option to damn, or save, Kirkwall. Maybe you want it to be a haven for all? Maybe you want it to become a shady city? Maybe everything is fine as is.... your choice.