One of my self-imposed rules for reviewing games is to avoid social media and online discussions to form my own unbiased impressions. However, in the case of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the new RPG from BioWare and EA, this proved challenging. The sheer volume of online chatter surrounding the game was unavoidable.
Nevertheless, I’ve done my best to present an objective assessment based on my own experience. So, can this game live up to the high bar set by Dragon Age: Origins, or is it merely a retread of Dragon Age: Inquisition? The only way to find out is to journey back to Thedas.
A compelling story is paramount for an RPG, and Dragon Age: The Veilguard delivers, as expected from BioWare. You play as Rook, a character thrust into a desperate struggle to prevent the apocalypse. However, things go awry, as they often do, and a pair of ancient elven mages, possessing godlike power, are inadvertently unleashed. These mages are not only powerful but also tainted by the Blight, a corrupting force that threatens to consume the world.
With a diverse cast of seven companions to recruit, build relationships with, and potentially romance, a world to save, and countless quests to undertake, the narrative unfolds on an epic scale. It lives up to BioWare’s storytelling reputation, offering a compelling and expansive adventure. To avoid spoilers, I’ll keep my commentary on the specifics of the plot to a minimum.
However, I can freely discuss the game’s impressive presentation. The world of Thedas, the Fade (the spirit world where folk go when they dream, doubling up as our base of operations), and the various environments are beautifully realised. Whether you’re strolling along a beach or traversing a dense forest, the visuals are stunning, with impressive draw distances and detailed environments. The character models and animations are equally impressive, both during exploration and combat. The combat animations, in particular, are a visual feast, with a dazzling array of particle effects.
I did encounter a couple of minor graphical glitches in Dragon Age: The Veilguard on Xbox, such as getting stuck in a falling animation loop after entering water and awkwardly floating after jumping off a ledge. However, these were infrequent occurrences, and the game was otherwise stable.
The sound design is another highlight, with excellent voice acting throughout. The cutscenes are well-written and engaging, though the ambient dialogue during exploration can become repetitive. Overall, BioWare has delivered a polished and impressive presentation.
Now, let’s delve into the gameplay. If I had to summarise Dragon Age: The Veilguard in one word, it would be “massive.” The main story missions alone will keep you occupied as you strive to thwart the elven mages and save Thedas. However, the game world is teeming with side quests and activities, ensuring countless hours of gameplay, and revisiting areas after completing the main quest often reveals new objectives and challenges. If you’re like me, you’ll find yourself engrossed in these side quests before even touching the main story. And that’s good, because the game encourages exploration and rewards, allowing you to become significantly over-leveled, which enhances the power fantasy and sense of accomplishment.
Combat is another core aspect of the gameplay. The combat system is refined and enjoyable, offering a diverse range of skills to unlock and upgrade for both Rook and your companions. Experimenting with different abilities and party compositions is rewarding, and the ability to respec your skill tree allows for flexibility and customisation. For example, you can focus on ice-based crowd control and equip your companions with abilities that exploit frozen enemies.
Keeping your gear updated and optimised is crucial, especially when facing formidable foes like dragons. The combat difficulty can be adjusted though, and while the normal setting might feel a bit too easy, the hard difficulty provides a satisfying challenge. Whatever, the combat is consistently engaging, with a variety of classes and abilities to master.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard has been praised for its inclusivity, allowing for character customisation and pronoun selection. While this has drawn criticism from some corners of the internet, I believe it’s a positive step toward greater representation in games. The ability for players to see themselves reflected in the game world should be celebrated, not condemned. There is a storyline that touches upon gender identity and self-acceptance, but it’s handled with sensitivity and nuance.
In conclusion, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is an excellent game. It’s a massive and immersive experience, with a compelling story, stunning visuals, and satisfying combat. While a few graphical glitches are present, they don’t detract significantly from the overall experience.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a dragon to slay.
Join up with old friends and new in Dragon Age: The Veilguard – https://www.thexboxhub.com/join-up-with-old-friends-and-new-in-dragon-age-the-veilguard/
Buy Dragon Age: The Veilguard on Xbox – https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/games/store/dragon-age-the-veilguard/BSDX4FNNC0DK/0001
