Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review Roundup: ‘A Fantasy RPG of Astonishing Spectacle’

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is finally here after 10 years, and the gaming world is buzzing. With an impressive Metacritic score of 84, the game received 77% positive reviews from 44 critics.

This latest installment continues to build on the beloved series, offering gamers a thrilling return to Thedas with exciting new adventures.

Gameplay Delivers Satisfying Combat

In Dragon Age: The Veilguard, combat is fast-paced and smooth. The game lets players enjoy fluid action, blending direct combat with tactical elements.

Playing as a Warrior, reviewers praised the weighty feel of attacks and the thrill of timing parries, which made combat consistently engaging.

Although some larger boss battles could be clunky, especially against giant creatures like dragons, the game’s challenging fights kept the action dynamic.

GamesRadar noted that The Veilguard is an “approachable and expansive RPG,” mixing action and RPG elements while taking cues from Mass Effect.

They highlighted how this installment feels like a conclusion to the series’ past while setting up exciting possibilities for the future.

Strong Character Writing with a Familiar Plot

The characters in Dragon Age: The Veilguard stand out with excellently written dialogue and impactful decisions. The main plot follows an epic showdown against a classic evil force.

While the main storyline struggles with a generic fantasy narrative, companion quests and side missions make up for it. These side stories flesh out the characters, giving them relatable goals and growth.

It reminds fans of memorable moments from games like Mass Effect 2. The side missions let players form deep connections with characters, with Eurogamer stating this is “the best Dragon Age and perhaps BioWare’s best ever.”

Deep Class System and Customization

The game’s class system adds depth to the combat experience. Each class offers distinct abilities, encouraging players to try out different builds. The skill tree is sprawling, giving freedom to experiment with skills and playstyles.

Players can switch up their abilities at no cost, promoting creative gameplay without punishing choices.

Games Writer Jesse Lennox praised The Veilguard for being the “best feeling game BioWare has made,” highlighting the combat’s responsive controls and strategic elements.

Visuals and World Design

Visually, The Veilguard balances realism with a stylized approach, allowing its fantasy world to feel cohesive. Despite not being a fully open-world game, it features several detailed hubs that players explore.

However, some found the map layouts too narrow, limiting exploration. Cutscenes also got a dynamic boost, making the game’s visuals more engaging.

Inverse’s review pointed out that the story setup is complex and nuanced, revolving around Solas and his attempt to tear open the Veil.

But as the game progresses, the narrative falls back on a typical evil-versus-good trope, which disappointed some players. Yet, the companion quests and side content keep the narrative fresh and captivating.

Mixed Criticism and Final Verdict

While most outlets praised The Veilguard, some had reservations. Inverse felt the new combat system had growing pains and the story was inconsistent.

VGC criticized the game for feeling outdated in some gameplay aspects but appreciated the well-developed cast and relationships.

Overall, Dragon Age: The Veilguard proves BioWare still has the potential to craft compelling RPGs, even if it didn’t fully return to its roots.

The game offers hours of engaging content, memorable characters, and a modernized take on classic RPG mechanics. If you’re a long-time fan or a newcomer, there’s enough here to get you hooked.