This long-awaited Dragon Age sequel is a top-tier, GOTY-worthy game—held back only by its terrible writing.
For nearly two decades, Dragon Age has held its place as one of BioWare’s most iconic franchises, drawing players into a rich, dark fantasy world full of complex characters, moral ambiguity, and epic battles. So, when The Veilguard was announced as the follow-up to Inquisition, fans were understandably thrilled. Many of us hoped for a return to that deeply woven, morally gray narrative that defined the series, combined with the high-stakes gameplay and intricate character dynamics that have come to define Dragon Age. The Veilguard shines in many respects, but it also reveals a clear disconnect from the essence of what has made Dragon Age so beloved, leaving fans questioning if this is truly the next chapter or simply a polished experiment.
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The reaction to the early gameplay reveal was mixed, and the unease was justified. While The Veilguard looks like a Dragon Age game at a glance, it soon becomes apparent that it lacks some of the darker, grittier elements that made Origins and Inquisition such standouts. The game is polished to a T—visually stunning and technically impressive—yet it feels like EA and BioWare have drifted away from the heart of Dragon Age, making The Veilguard an experience that, while engaging, may feel like it’s missing the mark for series veterans. It’s a polished game that hints at BioWare’s technical prowess, but it may leave long-time fans feeling as if the franchise itself has been abandoned in favor of broader appeal.
A Legacy to Live Up To
The Dragon Age series began back in 2009 with Dragon Age: Origins, which captured fans with its unflinching, dark fantasy setting, moral complexity, and rich lore. The game introduced players to the world of Thedas, where magic, politics, and faith collide in a realm on the brink of chaos. With each subsequent game, BioWare added layers to the complex tapestry of Thedas, exploring themes like oppression, sacrifice, and redemption, while continuously challenging players’ choices and ethical stances. From the grim tone of Origins to the more expansive and nuanced approach in Inquisition, the series has managed to maintain a unique voice that resonates with fans.
However, The Veilguard feels like it’s drifting away from this legacy. After Inquisition, which left fans on a cliffhanger regarding the Dread Wolf’s plans, anticipation was high for a continuation that would delve deeper into the lore and wrap up loose ends. Yet, after so many years, The Veilguard comes across as a shift in both style and substance, almost as if the developers aimed to create a different type of game under the Dragon Age brand and not your typical role-playing game. Fans who have patiently waited since 2014 may find themselves both captivated and alienated by The Veilguard, which, despite its dark fantasy veneer, doesn’t quite capture the thematic gravitas that earlier games did so naturally.
Straying from the Source
The biggest flaw in The Veilguard lies in how it handles its story and lore, almost as if the writers only skimmed the source material. Dragon Age has always taken pride in its layered history, filled with ancient myths, historical conflicts, and philosophical debates about fate and free will. Yet, The Veilguard veers away from established canon in jarring ways. Some fans might find themselves scratching their heads over inconsistencies and even outright retcons of past events and character arcs, which are hard to reconcile with the previous games. For instance, certain factions and historical events are reimagined in ways that feel more like fanfiction than an authentic continuation, detracting from the immersion.
It’s as if the game’s writers had only a ing familiarity with the deep lore of Dragon Age. Long-standing truths and characters are given new interpretations that clash with their established narratives, creating an experience that may feel disted to long-time fans. The lore has always been one of the series’ strongest assets, allowing players to immerse themselves in a world as intricate as it is dangerous. Unfortunately, The Veilguard seems to overlook the importance of continuity, which can be frustrating for those who’ve invested years into understanding the rich history of Thedas. The story struggles to hold weight, and many fans may find themselves disengaged as a result.
Evolving (and Simplifying) Combat
Combat is one area where The Veilguard has seen a significant transformation, though not necessarily in a way that will please everyone. Earlier Dragon Age games leaned heavily on party tactics and strategic decision-making, where positioning and skill synergy were vital to success. The Veilguard moves away from this, embracing a faster-paced, action-oriented style. The changes make battles feel more streamlined, with a focus on flashy attacks and real-time mechanics that are designed to keep players engaged. This isn’t inherently negative—there’s a genuine satisfaction in unleashing powerful abilities and watching the battlefield light up with special effects.
However, for fans of the old-school, tactical approach, the simplification of combat may feel like a downgrade. The party management and layered tactics that were hallmarks of the series are less pronounced here, replaced by mechanics that, while engaging, are more straightforward. The Veilguard is undeniably fun during intense battles, and the combat system is intuitive, making it accessible for newcomers. The skill tree offers some depth, with abilities that feel powerful and rewarding to unlock, yet it lacks the complexity and customization that series veterans may have hoped for. It’s a trade-off that might appeal to a wider audience but could leave traditional fans yearning for more depth.
A Narrower World with Stunning Detail
In The Veilguard, exploration has taken a more linear approach, with smaller, more contained maps rather than a vast open-world setup. Each location serves as a hub that players can fast-travel between, creating an experience that feels focused, albeit somewhat restrictive. Unlike Inquisition, where sprawling landscapes invited players to wander and discover at their own pace, The Veilguard guides you through its areas with a tighter hand, often funneling you from one quest objective to another. It’s an adjustment that could feel limiting to those who enjoyed the freedom of previous entries, but it also allows the developers to craft detailed, visually stunning environments.
While the world may be smaller in scale, it’s incredibly well-designed, with each area exuding its own distinct atmosphere. The environments are packed with intricate details, and there’s a tangible sense of place in every location. Loot chests, hidden paths, and interactive objects make exploration feel worthwhile, even if the world itself is less expansive. The game’s art team deserves credit for making each zone feel vibrant and alive, capturing the essence of Thedas even within these more confined spaces. It may not be the vast, open-world experience some fans hoped for, but The Veilguard does an irable job of making each corner of its world feel meaningful.
Visual Mastery, But Character Designs Fall Flat
On a technical level, The Veilguard is breathtaking. From the shimmering reflections on armor to the intricate details of Thedas’ forests and cities, the game is a visual feast. Played in 4K on Ultra settings, the landscapes are a testament to BioWare’s skill in creating immersive, awe-inspiring visuals. Lighting effects, particularly with ray tracing enabled, add depth to the world, enhancing the fantasy ambiance. Character animations are smooth, and the environments are textured with care, creating a cohesive, polished look that’s one of the game’s standout features. It’s undoubtedly one of the best-looking titles of the year, especially on a high-powered setup.
However, when it comes to character designs, The Veilguard falters. Many characters feel like watered-down versions of classic fantasy archetypes, with a stylized look that can feel out of place in Dragon Age’s traditionally gritty world. The Qunari, for example, lack the intimidating presence that fans expect, appearing almost cartoonish in their design. Male characters have a softened look, while the overall designs seem to cater more to broad appeal than the unique, nuanced aesthetic that defined previous games. For a series known for its distinctive characters, these choices make the game feel oddly generic.
Representation in Character Customization
BioWare has taken an ambitious step in character customization, providing options that allow players to explore gender identity, pronouns, and various physical traits. It’s a level of inclusivity rarely seen in mainstream games, and for many, this will feel like a progressive leap forward. Players can represent themselves in ways that feel genuine to them, including through non-binary options, visible disabilities, and a variety of body types. However, some of these options may feel out of place within a fantasy setting, such as surgical scars that exist despite the game’s magical world where transformation spells abound.
The emphasis on inclusivity may feel a bit overbearing for some, especially when it extends beyond customization into the core narrative and interactions. The focus on modern social themes might alienate fans who play Dragon Age specifically for its timeless fantasy. While inclusivity is a welcome step, there’s a sense that BioWare may have overreached in its eagerness to represent everyone, potentially excluding those who were hoping for a more escapist experience. It’s a delicate balance that, unfortunately, doesn’t quite land as smoothly as BioWare likely intended.
A Polarizing Narrative with Overbearing Themes
The writing and dialogue are the true weak points of The Veilguard, often veering into awkward territory with unnatural dialogue and forced pop-culture references. Where past Dragon Age games tackled weighty themes with grace, The Veilguard sometimes feels more like a compilation of modern slang and meme-worthy quips. Dialogue options, too, feel limited, rarely altering the outcome of a conversation or reflecting a unique perspective. The choices boil down to minor tonal variations rather than impactful decisions, which undercuts the sense of agency that has always been a core appeal of the series.
Perhaps most divisive is the game’s heavy-handedness with political themes. While inclusivity and diversity can enrich a story, the constant emphasis on modern social issues may feel out of place in Thedas. Trans and LGBTQIA+ representation are commendable, but the game’s narrative often foregrounds these elements in ways that disrupt immersion. Many players might find themselves pulled out of the fantasy by dialogue and interactions that echo contemporary debates rather than fitting organically into the world’s lore. This may be fine for those looking for socially conscious gaming experiences, but it could alienate fans who simply want to explore a dark fantasy world.
This feels like a parody…
In the end, Dragon Age: The Veilguard feels like the Fifty Shades of Grey of the Dragon Age series. Much like how Fifty Shades started as Twilight fanfiction, The Veilguard comes off more like a fanfic than a true sequel. The writing lacks the gravitas, depth, and authenticity that Dragon Age fans have come to expect, with awkward slang, cringey dialogue, and enough out-of-place modern references to make you wonder if the writers ever even cracked open a fantasy book or socialised with others in the real world. It’s as if they threw medieval fantasy to the wind and went for TikTok-era humor in a dark fantasy wrapper.
This disconnect leaves The Veilguard straddling a bizarre line between a polished AAA title and an unintentional parody of its own franchise. It’s a technically impressive game, sure, with stunning visuals, smooth mechanics, and a meticulously crafted world. But for fans of Dragon Age, the lackluster writing makes it hard to immerse oneself in the fantasy world BioWare once so expertly crafted. In the end, The Veilguard may be a good game for casual players or newcomers, but for die-hard fans, it might feel like a hilarious, unintentional satire—a dazzling Dragon Age wannabe that just missed the mark.
Disclosure: We received a copy of Dragon Age: The Veilguard from Electronic Arts for the purposes of this review.