Dragon Age: Veilguard Emerges with Bold Identity

Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, heaps praise on BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a recent Twitter post, Douse lauded the game, revealing he'd been playing it secretly ("behind my backpack at the office," he joked).

Douse's key takeaway? The Veilguard "truly knows what it wants to be." This focused identity, he suggests, contrasts favorably with previous Dragon Age installments that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He even compared the experience to a "well-made, character-driven Netflix series," a far cry from a "heavy, 9-season long show."

The combat system also earned high marks. Douse described it as a "giga-brain genius" blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy, resulting in faster-paced, combo-driven battles reminiscent of BioWare's Mass Effect series, a departure from the more tactical approach of earlier Dragon Age games.

Douse highlighted The Veilguard's pacing, noting its "good sense of propulsion" and its skillful balance between cinematic moments and opportunities for player experimentation. He even lauded BioWare's continued industry presence, deeming it vital amidst "moronic corporate greed."

While acknowledging Dragon Age: Origins as a personal favorite, Douse emphasized that The Veilguard, despite its differences, possesses a distinct and compelling identity. His final verdict? "In a word, it’s fun!"

The game's focus on character customization further solidifies its appeal. The Rook, the customizable protagonist, allows for extensive personalization, from backstory and skillset to the player's in-game home, the Lighthouse. This deep level of player agency, as highlighted by Xbox Wire, ensures a truly immersive experience. Players assemble a party to confront two ancient Elven gods, with choices impacting everything from combat specialization (Mage, Rogue, Warrior, with sub-specializations like Spellblade) to personal details like face tattoos.

This profound player agency and the game's overall focus likely contributed to Douse's enthusiastic praise. With its October 31st release date fast approaching, BioWare will be hoping this positive reception translates into widespread player enjoyment. Our own review awarded The Veilguard a 90, praising its "faster pace" and "more fluid and engaging" gameplay compared to its predecessors.