Dragon Age: The Veilguardis filled with wonderful set pieces, world-shaking new lore, engaging combat, and fun companions, all involving a new story involving the Blighted Elven gods, Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain. Like most modern games too, it is filled with Easter Eggs and nods to its own past and other games. For example, while there are no imported decisions fromDragon Age: Origins,Dragon Age: The Veilguarddoes feature quite a fewOriginsEaster eggs.
Please Note: This article contains minor spoilers for Emmrich’s storyline.
Interestingly, one of the manyEaster eggs inDragon Age: The Veilguardis a nod towardElden Ringdeveloper FromSoftware. Given the popularity of FromSoftware’s work, its impact on action RPGs as a whole, and how Soulslike is a genre borne from it, this should come as no surprise. But the way that it is handled should make any FromSoftware fan smile, given thatDragon Age: The Veilguardmakes a classic joke that no one expected.
FromSoftware’s Messaging System is Iconic
Anyone who has played a FromSoftware game, beitDemon’s Souls, Bloodborne, Elden Ring, or anything in between, is familiar with the company’s message system. Simply put, it is a form of asynchronous communication where players can give hints to others. Saying “boss ahead” may not be the most effective in front of a Fog Door (already indicating a boss), but it has been used in creative ways ever since its inception. Sometimes it lets players know where there is hidden loot, a hidden path, or something like that, but it is used for fun trolls just as much. This can be simple crude messages like a certain thing involvingfingers inElden Ringor it could be telling players that there’s a weak boss ahead…when it’s definitely not a weak boss.
Seeing a message on a cliff telling you to jump is most likely telling you to jump to your death, but sometimes it can also lead to genuine discovery or treasure…sometimes, rarely. Okay, maybe it’s something some FromSoftware fans tell themselves after falling for it so many times. Either way, “Try jumping” is an iconic FromSoftware experience, one thatDragon Age: The Veilguardtaps into.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Tells You to ‘Try Down’
DuringEmmrich’s storyline, players will eventually enter The Fade in pursuit of a rival necromancer. While that story unfolds, players will be able to do a little exploring and can eventually come across a message on a cliff. Interacting with the glint will reveal a tattered note that reads: “Treasure…try down.”
The funny part is, if someone were to jump, they could completely miss the ledge beneath them. Instead, as is often done when exploringlegacy dungeons inElden Ring, players benefit the most by peering over the edge and slowly dropping down to collect the treasure that does exist. A message indicating treasure actually indicating treasure is a surreal moment. Of course, there is a way back up, and should someone notice it before they notice the tattered note, they could probably just take the ladder down like a reasonable Rook. A proper Purple Rook is missing the ledge at least once, though.
It’s not surprising to see BioWare give FromSoftware the nod, but it is a joy nonetheless. Right now, the future for both companies is bright. It’s unknown what FromSoftware is exactly working on right now, butmultiple FromSoftware games are confirmed to be in development. Meanwhile,BioWare will be putting all its focus onMass Effect 4once any required updates forDragon Age: The Veilguardis complete. While it may be disheartening to hear that there will be no DLC forThe Veilguard, the silver lining is that, hopefully,Dragon Age 5doesn’t take as long to come around asThe Veilguarddid.
