4.0 out of 5 star rating
As a seasoned gamer with over two decades under my belt, I must say that Dragon Age: The Veilguard has certainly piqued my interest and left me with a mix of emotions. On one hand, I was thoroughly impressed by the deep and engaging combat system, which reminded me of why I fell in love with this series ten years ago during Inquisition. The ability to switch between staff, orb, dagger, and the added parry mechanic kept the fights fresh and exciting throughout my 60-hour journey.
Ten years ago, not many game studios enjoyed the level of respect that BioWare did. They were responsible for creating some of the best-loved trilogies in gaming history, along with numerous other critically-acclaimed games, such as the highly regarded Dragon Age series.
Following the less favorably received games Anthem and Mass Effect Andromeda, BioWare is back with a new entry in their popular series, Dragon Age, attempting to recapture the magic that once made them a powerhouse, as seen in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.
The storyline of Veilguard unfolds a decade following Inquisition, and centers around Varric’s pursuit of Solas, the once-friendly companion who has turned rogue with a catastrophic plan for the world – similar to other installments in the Dragon Age series, it promises a thrilling, high-stakes adventure from the very beginning.
As a dedicated movie-goer and role-playing game enthusiast, allow me to share my thoughts on the character creation process that sets the stage for any RPG experience. For those familiar with my preferences, you’d know I can’t resist the allure of a well-designed character creator – an activity that has often consumed countless hours of my time as I experiment and craft various characters, eager to discover which one resonates most with the upcoming adventure.
Ultimately, I decided that my character, the Rook, would belong to the Qunari mage faction known as Shadow Dragons. This key decision marks the beginning of the game, and it’s great news that you can modify your character’s appearance at any point during gameplay – a feature that caters well to the chronically uncertain individuals like myself.
The character creation tool is detailed and diverse, boasting numerous customizable aspects that other games could learn from. You can select everything from conventional hairstyles and tattoos to pronouns, scars, and an assortment of textured hair choices. This inclusive feature makes it more accessible for everyone who embarks on this adventure. As a self-confessed fanatic of character creation, Dragon Age: The Veilguard boasts one of the finest tools available.
For the first time, I encountered this unique art style here, which didn’t exactly grab my attention when initially previewed in trailers. However, as I started customizing my character, it became evident that the level of detail and quality was impressive, especially noticeable in the intricately designed hair.
Initially, I held doubts about the art style during the beginning stages, but as I delved deeper into the game and became more engrossed in its world, it became apparent that the choice was smartly made. It effectively embodied the appeal of the characters, enhanced the surroundings, and gave a unique spin to this long-running series.
Following the spectacular introduction to the game, it’s time for the expected phase where you gather your team members. You currently possess two characters: Lace Harding, who was part of the Inquisition, and Neve, a detective hailing from Minrathous.
In due course, you’ll be able to pick from a team of seven friends for your journeys, and they will join you progressively within the first ten hours or so. Unlike in the last game, Rook can only bring two companions at once, forming a party of three. This seems like a logical choice given how chaotic the screen can get during battle scenes.
In a simplified version: Having fewer characters as companions gives the player more personal time with each one, making their individual qualities stand out more. The characters in Dragon Age: Veilguard are among its strongest aspects, along with their distinct storylines. During gameplay, there will be chances to converse with them at your operational base, although it’s a pity that you can only talk when they initiate; you can’t approach them for a chat whenever you wish.
Engaging in these dialogues will guide you through their personal stories, and I highly recommend exploring them all. They’re seamlessly integrated into the game, neither feeling out of sync nor overstaying their welcome. Here, the game truly excels, giving each character a rich depth that underscores their captivating and intricate personalities. They are not just supporting characters; they are protagonists on their unique journeys.
Throughout these shared adventures – some of the game’s finest – you encounter a range of themes such as mortality, accountability, grief, and self-discovery. These themes are skilfully and subtly addressed, never appearing overbearing but always clear in their messaging. This approach even elevates secondary characters, sparking my affection for each one by the end, and influencing my perception of them as the narrative unfolds.
As a movie critic, I found myself deeply immersed in the game world due to the engaging dialogue between my chosen companions during quests. These interactions ranged from discussing current events to sharing personal insights, fostering a sense of camaraderie and self-discovery among them. This added authenticity to their characters, revealing their thoughts and drives, and prompting me to experiment with different party combinations to observe the dynamic between various characters.
The only caveat to the companions is that they’re all too nice. Each of them is genuinely lovely, lacking shades of grey or nefarious intentions; despite including a necromancer and an assassin, they’re just kind, pure people with the best intentions. It makes sense; at the end of the day, they’ve all joined a team embarking on saving the world. Yet, it’s hard to imagine people being so pure in this world that, despite being so beautiful, is harsh and impure. A bit more nuance would’ve only added to their personality, and let’s be honest, everyone loves a bit of a scoundrel.
In essence, Rook shares the same characteristic: it simplifies the game from an extensive Role-Playing Game (RPG) to one that leans heavily on story development and dialogue choices. Regardless of the choice you make, which often includes at least three options, Rook is undeniably a respectable character. The stern option, initially perceived as potentially villainous, actually makes your character more assertive. Outside of major narrative events, there’s no way to antagonize the companions with Rook.
In simpler terms, having one character focused on saving the world might provide a logical context, but it restricts the diversity of gameplay experiences because events often unfold in a predetermined manner, giving off an impression of watching a story rather than shaping one. Although there are crucial choices and multiple endings, the majority of players will witness similar key moments. While there will be some variation, there’s limited potential for profound differences or vast narratives shaped by your decisions.
In my opinion, when characters seem more real, or perhaps just a tad less perfect, it’s the world that truly comes alive. It’s undeniably beautiful to look at, and there’s no shortage of breathtaking views to take in, not even when making use of the limited photo mode. However, the open areas all feel surprisingly devoid of life.
In the cities, there’s people milling around, but you only have to stop and stare for a second to notice they’re essentially just scenery, much like populating an area with crates. It’s also the same for the more rural sections you can explore, with quest givers being present; otherwise, they’re empty outside of combat encounters that will appear in the same spot every time you walk past. Everything feels very linear, and like the world only exists for you. This isn’t a real place that exists without you, and it’s very noticeable.
A significant aspect might stem from the fact that the game isn’t set in an open world, and I personally appreciate this design as it allows for more intricate details. However, these details aren’t always evident in the bustling areas. Occasionally, the narrative requires you to visit specifically crafted sections, which are impressively designed; once again, kudos to the game’s art direction for creating such visually stunning environments, even when they can be quite stark and dramatic in their beauty.
The primary narrative and accompanying quests frequently lead you to fresh environments, enabling you to discover additional areas for exploration and side missions. From a narrative standpoint, every task provides valuable information and seems significant, but the gameplay can sometimes feel basic. I’m not referring to the fighting, but rather the problem-solving or navigating from one point to another often feels repetitive, with minor changes in mission design.
Regardless of your location, the puzzles usually open a door, which can be done by destroying crystals, Blight, or finding elven keys. Most of the time, to pad out a section, you will have to contend with one of these door puzzles, which pop up constantly, with each one feeling less inspired than the last.
Despite some battles, the game remained entertaining for me, and in the initial stages, it was the excitement that sustained my enthusiasm. As a mage character, I wielded a staff to cast spells, but by manipulating the D-pad, I also had an orb and dagger combo at my disposal, useful for parries, making me feel equally confident in close combat as well as from afar. The ability to move closer and switch between staff or dagger kept the combat varied throughout the 60 hours I spent with the game, while the vast skill tree and weapon abilities gave me ample opportunity to frequently change tactics.
In each class, there are three distinct ones, and they each possess two unique combat techniques plus a weapon for attacking foes from afar. I recently sampled the warrior class, and it turned out to be as rich and intricate as the mage, preserving its heavy and tactile feel. I haven’t yet dabbled in the rogue class, but if it shares the same depth as the others, this combat system ranks among my favorites I’ve encountered in a while.
A key difference from the Inquisition is that you can no longer command your party members directly; instead, you can only guide them during combat and utilize their unique abilities once they’ve been charged. It’s crucial to have a well-selected party because some of their special attacks can be combined for increased damage, which is beneficial when fighting large groups of enemies or bosses.
The appearance of the bosses and regular foes may differ stylistically, but their characteristics remain largely similar. Consequently, as the game progresses, certain enemies can become tedious, particularly when they have increased health, which often makes them seem like sponges for damage instead of engaging adversaries. Thankfully, the engaging combat system helps alleviate this issue somewhat, but introducing more diversity among bosses and common foes could have maintained a consistent level of novelty throughout the gameplay.
Dragon Age: Veilguard delivers as an impressive follow-up to Inquisition, showcasing the series’ enduring strengths and prestige. The game introduces a vibrant new art style that complements its engaging combat system. Each companion is thoughtfully crafted, tackling themes not typically addressed in gaming, making players feel understood. However, it’s unfortunate that some levels and mission structures could benefit from more complexity, and exploration seems somewhat restricted.
Following a decade-long anticipation for the continuation of Solas’s narrative, this sequel is satisfying yet also serves as an excellent entry point into the series for new players. Occasionally, the story struggles to strike a balance between developing Solas as a villain and providing insight into his motivations, which can make him appear less menacing than expected. Consequently, throughout the game, Solas often takes a secondary role to educate both the player and their companions about his background, resulting in moments where he seems less like the main antagonist.
Reading this character, you can’t help but see his complexity. While the companions may seem simplistic morally, he excels in moral depth, making him a fascinating adversary. This is an excellent entry point for newcomers to the series, despite some minor flaws. It’s challenging not to suggest this game to anyone seeking a classic adventure.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.
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2024-11-20 17:34