Well I could think a huge number of things this game needs, but I try to keep it within reason, so here goes:
1, More UNIQUE Armor option for early game, in fact make all armor models in game be a schematic not tiered but usable all the way to endgame. Remove the tier level on schematics let the materials I use decide what armor/damage rating I get. Well this should have been obvious why create a dozen schematic about the same model on 3-4-5 tiers? Needles extra work.
1.1 As and extra emphasize the background of all characters / race and class. Meaning: Since we can not have a race specific starting mission like Origins had, At the beginning give every character a unique armor design dependent on which race/class we pick. On top give us the schematics of this design so we can craft a better version later on.
Putting everyone in that garbageman outfit at the beginning just destroys the whole concept and background your character's have. I mean give a dalish scout a dalish scout armor, human noble warrior a proper armor, a charta dwarf a proper charta themed unique armor just as the Qunari Tal-Vashot armors etc-etc.
So all in all make 3 UNIQUE RACE specific armors for all races, 1 should be the starter armor the rest given to us at a later date.
And please do NOT just throw them in a chest or something DA2 style, but instead insert each new armor/outfit into the game. Lootdrops, shops, quest rewards, puzzles etc-etc.
Anyway that's it or armor
2. A game needs some major overhaul in EXP gain. The regions I unlock have too much overlap between them by the time I get there I'm way overleveled and Nightmare difficulty is no longer challenging.
A couple of suggestions: Scale every area to the level of the main character! Done. In that way you can go whichever order you wish to (considering you did the main story mission to unlock the regions) and not feel like the difficulty is gone. Positives of this change: Constant difficulty not just in the first couple of hours but all the way throught the game. Negatives it might diminish the feeling of beeing OP at later stages of the game. But I still think that's not entirely true. Considering by that time everyone has a lot of abilities at his or her disposal so you can cut yourself out of any tricky situation.
But if that's not good enough fine: 2. solution: Pace out the region levels by let say 10. Especially the middle ones: Fallow Mire, Crestwood, Western approach, Storm Coast, Exalted Plains, Emerald Greaves, Meaning ELIMINATE level OVERLAPPING. So I don't become overleveled when I enter the zone. In truth this would have exact same results as the first option.
But if this also not good enough fine: 3. suggestion: Put in an option for a reduced EXP gain all across Thedas. Make optional for people in the option menu. Make 5 different settings: minus 5, 10, 25, 50% less exp, well you are at it, make an option to gain more if someone doesn't wish to go through all the side content multiple times plus 5, 10, 25, 50%
3. New Game Plus: Considering I only got to use the best looking armor models in the last couple of minutes in the game. Make a new game plus! Create a Hard level cap. Let's say 25, and level the entire game up to that point. Change the quest rewards to Gold and valuables, weapons and armor (no exp), and optinally create a Nightmare plus or Veteran mode for extra challenge (not just extra health but, better coordinated AI with abilities and such). This should somewhat similar to Mass Effect 1's Difficulty modes. Hard Veteran Insane or something.
Well that's it about difficulty an experience.
Now as everyone mentioned it:
4, HAIRSTYLES! 5 unique for each race and gender. Create 5-5 unique hairstyle option for each race and each gender. NO BALD!
4.1 In-game appearance changer should be a given for all game you create in the future.
Well all the above should have been in the game in the first place. Now here comes what's new for future Expansions and DLC:
5. Don't create more areas! Yeah a lot of people will hate me for this, but what's the point? You have a huge world filled with nothing but fetch quests. Instead. Create One cinematic SIDE mission for EACH area. Fallow Mire: The mission is good expand it. Cinematic conversations with the Avvar, I wish to see how he kidnaps/captures my boys, Option to choose at the end, talking you know? Exalted plains: Huge area with nothing to focus on. Make a dalish specific quest here. Delv deeper into their culture etc-etc. Make it cinematic (pls forget that new conversation camera it destroys the emotional connection between you and the speaker, it's immersion breaking and very-very bad. If nothing else at least the companions should speak to you face-to-face.)
Anyway I'm sure you can come up all sorts of interesting thing in this topic. Just Fill the WORLD you created!
5.1 Additionally make the keeps as you promised! Customizable, fully upgradable, and functional. Tie it into a major Side quest.
(5.2) This might be a little bit over the top, but you made the same mistake here just like in ME 3. All those assets all the armies all everything we collect throughout the game have zero impact on anything whatsoever. Make them useful! Not just War table mission. Remember Origins Battle or Denerim? Yeah. Such a simple mechanic to use you collected warriors to help you out at the final battle. It's not much but it makes a World of differenc that the player get some tools to use. Let me feel like the INQUISITOR LEADER of nations!
5.3 Divine Coronation ceremony! Even if it's just a cutscene (it shouldn't be) but I take it!
Ah yes Give us Wicked grace as a minigame! Just for fun to play with all companions and associates. Hell make a small tournament in Redcliff/Haven/Skyhold tavern.
Alright that's it.
P.S.: To Bioware
The game is good. Nothing fantastic, but not bad either as some might claim it to be. The regions and areas are wast and beautiful, but there is a lot to be desired. Origins had interesting side quests, which you could solve in multiple ways, hell just check Dragon Age Keep and see for yourself what I'm talking about. example: Bevin in Redcliff, Or Bella, or Denerim Crow sidequests, or Slim Couldry, or Dagna, Ruck for crying out loud. Is this significant? No not at all, but giving back the sword to Bevin and at the epilogue reading what happens with the kid was all the more rewarding. Or did you steal it? Bought it? You didn't even bothered to look for the kid? Killed Master Ignacio on sight? Did everything he asked then killed him? Or Did everything and he left? Or you refused his offer but didn't kill him? Or Bella in redcliff? Did you kissed her? Given her money to go somewhere else? Or she just took over the inn? Or you aren't even bothered so save them at Redcliff (heartless)? All options resulting a mission successful.
Here the quest are tasks and they are extremely simpleminded you have to options do it or don't but if you don't the quest will remain unfinished. Is that what you call an option nowadays I wonder. Seriously write compelling side stories and missions. That's all we ask. A lot of people think that pretty graphics are the most important thing. I don't mind pretty graphics but Pretty Graphics should only be a bonus, an extra flavour not the main ingredient like it is here. If I could I would trade it all in for a game which looks as Origins plays as DA2 and have Origins fantastic quest story and mission design.