Bioware has been struggling to regain the trust of its fans in recent years. However, after playing seven hours of Dragon Age: The Veilguard during a special preview event, it seems that the studio is returning to its strengths. The Veilguard is everything fans of the series have been asking for in terms of lore and story, and it brings new gameplay mechanics that fans might not have known they needed.
The character creator in The Veilguard is one of the best in the series. It offers gorgeous hair options, asymmetry, and makeup options that don’t feel gaudy or ridiculous. The story of The Veilguard takes place 10 years after Inquisition and 15 years after Origins, and it feels like the protagonist Rook is privy to some of the parts of Thedas that have only been hinted at in previous games.
The gameplay in The Veilguard has shifted away from RPG tactical control over the player character and their companions to action-style focus on Rook. The mage is actually fun to play now, with options to play with a traditional staff or a dagger-and-orb combo that incorporates melee combat. The focus on Rook does leave your companions sometimes feeling a little unfocused in combat, but it’s not a dealbreaker.
According to John Epler, the franchise’s creative director, “For us, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is about getting back to what the studio was built to build. We were always a studio about single-player RPGs and character-driven narratives.” It remains to be seen if The Veilguard can live up to its potential, but all signs are positive at the moment.
In conclusion, Dragon Age: The Veilguard appears to be a return to form for Bioware. With its improved character creator, engaging story, and new gameplay mechanics, fans of the series have a lot to look forward to.