Dragon Age: Veilguard Unveiled

Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, recently lauded Dragon Age: The Veilguard, showering praise upon BioWare's latest action RPG. Read on for his insightful commentary.

Larian Studios' Publishing Chief Sings the Praises of Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Baldur's Gate 3 Executive Calls it a Dragon Age Game That "Truly Knows What It Wants To Be"

Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on Twitter/X), the publishing director at Larian Studios (creators of Baldur's Gate 3), expressed unreserved enthusiasm for BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a tweet, Douse revealed his clandestine playthrough—jokingly admitting to playing behind his backpack at the office.

Douse highlighted The Veilguard's focused design, stating it "truly knows what it wants to be," a refreshing change from previous series entries that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He cleverly compared it to a "well-crafted, character-driven Netflix binge" instead of a "lengthy, 9-season series."

Douse also championed the game's innovative combat system, describing it as a "brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy," a combination he dubbed "giga-brain genius." This shift aligns The Veilguard more closely with the fast-paced action of BioWare's Mass Effect series, offering fluid attack chaining, unlike the slower, tactical combat of earlier Dragon Age titles.

Douse praised The Veilguard's pacing, noting its "strong sense of momentum," its ability to deliver impactful narrative moments, and its freedom to experiment with character builds. This represents a departure from the more traditional RPG structure of its predecessors. His commendation even extended to BioWare's continued industry presence, calling it vital amidst "corporate greed."

However, Douse's most compelling point focused on The Veilguard's distinct identity. He hailed it as "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be," a statement that could be interpreted as a subtle critique of previous installments. Douse clarified, "I’ll always love Dragon Age: Origins, and this isn't that," acknowledging that while it lacks the nostalgic charm of Origins, The Veilguard possesses a unique vision he greatly appreciates. "In short, it's fun!" he concluded.

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 with extensive personalization options. An Xbox Wire feature detailed the impressive creative control players have over the Rook's background, skills, and moral alignment. As the Rook, players assemble a party to confront two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.

Character creation emphasizes meaningful choices, ensuring that every decision, from backstory to combat specialization, reflects the player's vision. Classes include Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with unique specializations like the Spellblade mage subclass, enabling close-quarters elemental magic. Players can even personalize the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, reflecting their character's journey.

"As you play, Rook reflects on their past," a developer told Xbox Wire. "This allowed me to define my Rook—even seemingly minor choices like face tattoos mattered. The result is a character that feels truly mine."

This dedication to character detail likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment, particularly the focus on impactful player choices. With The Veilguard's October 31st release, BioWare hopes players share Douse's enthusiasm.

Our review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard highlighted its embrace of "faster action RPG pacing," with gameplay that's "more fluid and engaging than previous titles." For our full review and 90 score, see the link below!