Dragon Age: Veilguard Embodies Genre Authenticity

Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, recently lauded Dragon Age: The Veilguard, offering high praise for BioWare's latest action RPG. This article delves into his assessment and highlights key features.

Larian Studios' Publishing Director Praises Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Focused Identity

Baldur's Gate 3's publishing director, Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), has publicly praised Dragon Age: The Veilguard, revealing he played it secretly (even behind his backpack at work!). He described the game as possessing a clear identity, a refreshing change from previous entries that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. Douse likened it to a "well-made, character-driven Netflix series" rather than a sprawling, lengthy one.

Douse also highlighted the innovative combat system, calling it a "giga-brain genius" blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy. This faster-paced, combo-driven combat marks a departure from the tactical style of earlier Dragon Age games, drawing comparisons to the Mass Effect series.

Douse praised the game's pacing and its ability to balance narrative moments with opportunities for player experimentation. He noted the game's "good sense of propulsion" and its understanding of when to deliver impactful story beats versus allowing players to explore character builds and abilities. He even commended BioWare's continued industry presence amidst "moronic corporate greed."

Douse's most significant point was The Veilguard's newfound self-awareness. He called it "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be," acknowledging that while this might be a subtle critique of past installments, he clarified, "I’ll always be a [Dragon Age: Origins] guy, and this isn't that." Despite not being reminiscent of Origins, he respects its distinct vision and concluded simply, "In a word, it’s fun!"

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Rook Character Offers "True Player Agency"

Dragon Age: The Veilguard aims for deep player immersion through the Rook, a customizable protagonist. According to Xbox Wire, players have extensive control over the Rook's background, skills, and alignment. The Rook's mission: assemble a party to confront two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.

Character creation in The Veilguard ensures player choices, from backstory to combat specialization, feel meaningful. Classes include Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for mages). Personalization even extends to the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, allowing players to decorate rooms to reflect their character's journey.

"As you do, Rook reminisces about their history before the events of the game," a developer told Xbox Wire. "This let me define more about my Rook—even down to choices I thought were incidental, like why he has face tattoos. The result is a character who truly feels like mine."

This focus on detailed character creation and impactful choices likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment. With The Veilguard's release on October 31st, BioWare hopes players will share Douse's enthusiasm. Our review, awarding the game a 90, highlighted its embrace of a faster, more engaging action RPG style compared to its predecessors. For a more detailed review, see the link below!