Summary
After a decade-long wait,Dragon Age: The Veilguardhas finally hit the shelves, and it’s the perfect love letter for both newcomers and longtime veterans alike. Though with each entry, the series has gradually distanced itself from the more edgy tone ofDragon Age: Origins, it’s clear that BioWare has poured every ounce of their adoration for the series intoVeilguard.
There are plenty of cheeky winks and nods to the fans who’ve been playing since the Fifth Blight days, and with all of its hearty improvements - whether they’re more stylistic or gameplay-oriented -, there’s no reason for long-time fans not to pick this one up. With that said, here are a fewreasons why fans ofDragon Age: Originswill have a great time withDragon Age: The Veilguard.
This list contains minor story spoilers for Acts 1 & 2.
10The Gray Wardens
Get The Attention They Deserve
Though they have been far from absent in the previous two series entries, theGray Wardens are a main factionand play a vital role in the conflict ofDragon Age: The Veilguard- for good reason.
The odds are hopelessly stacked against Rook and their crew of mirror-traversing misfits, and one of the main factions that the group will need from are the Darkspawn slayers themselves. During character creation, the player can also choose for Rook to be a Gray Warden, and it’s brought up numerous times throughout the campaign. What better way is there to reminisce on those campfire chats with Alistair than to become a Gray Warden again?
9The Blight
This Time With A Twist
The Blight is one of many reasons BioWare’s now classic fantasy world would be challenging to settle in. Putting a stop to this seemingly endless threat was the primary focus ofDragon Age: Origins. Now, after the buildup of the prior two entries, it’s back, and it’s so much worse.
Though their design may be somewhat changed, the slightly under-prepared and massively overwhelming feeling ofDragon Age: Originsis back, with the team only getting brief moments of respite fromthe oncoming hordes of Darkspawn. Granted, this isn’t any regular Blight, and numerous surprises twist its usual rules, but it’s great to have it back.
8Morrigan
The Witch Of The Wilds
Depending on how players decide to endDragon Age: Origins, Morrigan is a pivotal aspect of the franchise, and thankfully, she’s just as present inVeilguard.
At this point in the series, she’s clearly developed and comes off as a far wiser figure. It’s also evident that Morrigan is far removed from her days ofconstant snide remarks made at just about anyone in earshot; she’s still that same old “better than everyone” apostate that fans of the series have come to know and love.
7The Antivan Crows
Finally, They’re Back
The infamously shady assassin organization is on full display in this one, finally giving the diehard Zevran fans some payoff. InVeilguard, they’re slightly moreBatman-esque in their presence than described in prior entries, but they’re still just as lethal.
Players also get the full opportunity to take on the mantle of Antivan Crow themselves. It’s a neat background for the more assassin-built Rooks and offers some unique dialogue and fun story interactions as players meet Lucian and navigate through the cozy Treviso.
6Stylish Combat
Takedowns Are Better Than Ever
Veilguard’snew and improved combat is more responsive than ever. Though it’s a far cry from the strategic gameplay offered in prior entries, it’s a lot more invocative ofMass Effectin its fluidity and has far fewer spells and abilities for Rook to play around with.
Players can only really have three of their own class abilities equipped and ready-to-use at any given time, but the trade-off is a new ‘Stagger bar’ akin toGod of War,which will gradually fill during combat,allowing rook to perform a takedown, which, depending on the enemy’s health, will either deal heavy damage or act as a flashy finishing move.
5More Linear Design
Goodbye, Hinterlands
Thankfully, the explorable areas available to the player aren’t quite as exhaustive asInquisition’s Hinterlands, but they are just open enough to feel like they’re actually worth roaming.
They strike a great combination of both the linearity ofOriginsand the vastness ofInquisition, with clear-cut paths for players to follow if they’re looking to steamroll their way through the main story. There’s plenty of hidden loot and chests to find, and the puzzles never feel overly intrusive, but it’s ideal for those looking to take the game at their own pace.
4Rook
They’re Just Rook
The series' new protagonist, known as Rook, isn’t perhaps quite as much of a blank slate as past main characters; there’s a very clear vision of who exactly Rook is.
That isn’t to say that they aren’t worth the player’s attention, however. Pre-determined or not, they’re fantastically voice-acted and just an all around great person. It’s tough to deny that Rook is just solid, someone who’s always willing to listen to those around them and verify all of their allies are comfortable. This new protagonist is also, thankfully, void of anything really ‘special’ about them. They’re not the chosen one; they’re just good at thinking on their feet and love their companions.
3The Companions
Just As Charming As Ever
There’s yet to be an entry into theDragon Agefranchise with truly weak companions, andVeilguardis no different, bolstering some ofthe most compelling followers in the series. From the eccentric necromancer afraid of his own mortality to a dragon slaying Qunari, they’re all entirely lovable.
Their party banter is always entertaining, and hearing them shout “Nice one, Rook!” in the heat of battle brings all thoseLord of the Ringsvibes flooding back. Their utility in combat is greatly changed, too; they’re not separate playable entities with their own classes, but their abilities are quickly usable via the ability wheel, and a new combo system means tht they’re always consistently useful.
2Spellblade Mages
Arcane Warriors Are Back (Kind Of)
SinceDragon Age 2, it’s been impossible for mages to wield any weapons other than staves, with the only real exception being the magical greatsword inInquisition.Now, with the new and improved weapon-switching mechanic,mages can wield a staff or a magical orb and dagger.
It’s also, thankfully, incredibly fun to play. Teleporting from enemy to enemy - detonating Arcane Bombs as one goes - feels great. The animations provide the perfect mix of acrobatic rogue and Lyrium-fueled apostate.
1The Story
It All Comes Together
Veilguardisn’t short onchoices for Rook to make in the heat of the moment, and there are certain ones littered throughout the story that deeply impact both the feelings of their surrounding companions and how the narrative unfolds.
It’s always fun seeing certain characters recall witty remarks made by Rook, and it helps the player feel like the dialogue and story choices they’ve made have actually made an impact, further adding to the game’s already high replay value. It answers a lot of questions that have long lingered in the minds ofDragon Agefans, finally letting them delve deeper into the story of Old Gods and Blights.
