Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review – Fighting Magic with Magic (and a Few Bugs)

It’s been a while since we last slashed our way through Thedas. Dragon Age: Inquisition left us with open skies, massive dragons, and plenty of “I’m going to save the world” moments. So, when Dragon Age: The Veilguard was announced, fans (myself included) geared up for another deep dive into BioWare’s fantasy playground. But does The Veilguard live up to the towering legacy of its predecessors? Let’s crack open the Fade and find out!

NEED TO KNOW

1- Game Description: A choice-driven action RPG that shapes the narrative through player decisions.

2- Launch Date: October 31, 2024

3- Price: $60/£50

4- Developer: BioWare

5- Publisher: Electronic Arts

6- Multiplayer Option: No

7- Steam Deck Compatibility: Yes

8- Engine: Frostbite

9- Platform(s): PC , PlayStation 5 , Xbox Series S , Xbox Series X

10- More Information: Visit Official Website

11- Official Trailer: Youtube

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A Secret Order and Even More Secrets

Dragon Age: The Veilguard places you squarely in the boots of a new recruit in the titular Veilguard, a shadowy group of magical troubleshooters tasked with patching up rips in the Veil. For the uninitiated, the Veil is basically the tissue-thin barrier between the physical world of Thedas and the Fade, the realm where spirits (and, naturally, nightmares) hang out. Sounds like a good setup for some creepy, reality-warping drama, right?

And you’re not wrong. The story of The Veilguard starts strong with plenty of high-stakes tension. Mysterious magical anomalies are cropping up faster than your party can close them, and it’s clear that something—or someone—is manipulating the Veil for nefarious purposes. Cue the political intrigue, personal betrayals, and ancient magical conspiracies Dragon Age fans know and love.

However, while the overarching plot is engaging, The Veilguard sometimes feels like it’s juggling too many plot threads. Just when you’re getting to the juicy core of one conspiracy, you’re whisked off to deal with some rogue mage or investigate the Elvhen ruins you stumbled across by accident. The pacing can get a little uneven, leaving you wondering whether you’re on the right path or just putting out magical fires while the “real” story chugs along elsewhere. It’s like BioWare’s trying to serve you a full seven-course meal at once, and it occasionally loses flavor as a result.

Old Faces, New Friends, and Plenty of Drama

One thing Dragon Age games are known for is their cast of companions, and The Veilguard does not disappoint on that front. You’ll pick up a colorful squad of misfits as you traverse Thedas, from Veil-hardened veterans to mages with more sass than spellbooks. Your party members are as sarcastic, lovable, and frustrating as ever, and their banter during quests is top-tier.

One standout is Alana, a mage who’s got a bit of a chip on her shoulder when it comes to the Fade. She’s all about using her magical powers to fight back, even if it means bending the rules, which makes for some great conflict during the more morally murky moments. On the flip side, you’ve got Darnell, a rogue who’s more interested in staying alive than saving the world—a refreshing change from the usual do-gooder companions we’ve had before.

The dynamic relationships that BioWare excels at are here in full force. Choices you make matter, as usual, but not in the simple “save the puppy or burn the orphanage” way. Your decisions ripple through the game, affecting how your companions view you and, sometimes, the entire world. It’s these character moments—those tough, quiet conversations at camp—that keep you glued to the screen, long after the big battle music fades.

Combat: Fresh Magic, Familiar Clunk

Now let’s talk about combat, because what’s a Dragon Age game without some good old-fashioned tactical pausing and spell-slinging?

The Veilguard keeps the tactical pause system intact, and honestly, that’s a relief. When things start getting dicey, freezing the action and plotting out your team’s next move still feels just as satisfying as it did in Inquisition. Want your rogue to flank that demon while your mage throws up a shield? Easy. Need to take a breather and figure out why your healer is face-down in the mud? No problem. The combat remains a mix of real-time chaos and strategic planning, which keeps battles feeling intense without being overwhelming.

Where The Veilguard really tries to shake things up is with the introduction of Veil-based powers. As a member of the Veilguard, you get access to some funky magic that lets you manipulate the Fade in combat. Want to slow down time for a few seconds? Summon a spirit warrior to fight alongside you? Yep, there’s a spell for that. It adds a new dimension to combat, but it’s not without its quirks. Some of these powers are game-changers, while others feel underwhelming, or worse, unnecessary. And if you lean too heavily into them, you can destabilize the Veil mid-battle, which is equal parts awesome and annoying depending on how much you like surprise enemies popping in.

The downside? Combat can still feel a bit clunky, especially when it comes to navigating the battlefield. There’s nothing quite like having your party stuck on a rock while you’re trying to retreat from a horde of demons. Pathfinding issues occasionally make the tactical pause system more frustrating than fun. While the new abilities are a blast to experiment with, the overall flow of combat hasn’t evolved much since Inquisition, which might disappoint some players hoping for a more radical overhaul.

Thedas: Bigger, Grimmer, Prettier

Visually, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a stunner. BioWare has crafted a world that feels more alive and detailed than ever before. From the misty forests of Ferelden to the crumbling ruins of ancient Elvhen cities, the game is a visual treat. And don’t even get me started on the Fade itself—it’s trippy, surreal, and easily one of the coolest environments the series has ever given us.

The environments are rich with lore and hidden secrets, making exploration rewarding. You’ll find notes, books, and artifacts scattered throughout the world that deepen your understanding of the current magical crisis. In classic Dragon Age style, you can lose hours just poking around, taking in the atmosphere, and getting distracted by side quests that seem small but often lead to major narrative payoffs.

That said, some areas feel a bit too big for their own good. While the open-world zones are gorgeous, they sometimes feel a little empty. You’ll spend a lot of time running from point A to point B without much to do in between, which can slow down the pacing and pull you out of the story.

Bugs and Glitches: A Dragon Age Tradition

Of course, what would a Dragon Age game be without a few bugs to keep things interesting? Sadly, The Veilguard is no exception. From party members getting stuck in terrain to quests not triggering properly, the game can feel rough around the edges. While most of these issues are minor annoyances, they can add up, especially during key moments when a glitch breaks immersion or, worse, stops you from progressing.

BioWare has promised patches to address some of these issues, but as it stands at launch, don’t be surprised if you encounter a few bumps along the way. It’s not game-breaking, but it’s something to be aware of before diving in.

Final Verdict Of Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a solid entry in the Dragon Age franchise, even if it doesn’t quite hit the heights of Inquisition. The story is engaging, the characters are memorable, and the world of Thedas has never looked better. However, the game’s combat feels a bit stuck in the past, and the occasional bug or pacing issue can detract from the overall experience.

For Dragon Age fans, this is still a must-play. The new Veil mechanics add enough spice to keep things interesting, and the character interactions are as rich as ever. Get ready to encounter a few bumps along the road.

PC Gamer Verdict: A magical (if occasionally glitchy) return to Thedas with enough intrigue and charm to satisfy long-time fans, even if it doesn’t quite cast a perfect spell.

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FAQs

1- How does Dragon Age: The Veilguard compare to Dragon Age: Inquisition?

The Veilguard takes a more mystical approach, focusing on the Veil and the Fade, while Inquisition was more about grand political drama. The combat and character interaction are similar, though The Veilguard introduces new magical abilities tied to the Veil.

2- What’s the best part of The Veilguard?

Without a doubt, the character dynamics and the in-depth exploration of the Fade stand out. BioWare shines when it comes to relationships and lore, and this game delivers on both fronts.

3- Does The Veilguard have an open-world design?

Sort of. It has large, open zones similar to Inquisition, but they’re not quite as packed with content. You’ll be doing a lot of running between points of interest.

4- Is Dragon Age: The Veilguard buggy?

Unfortunately, yes. It’s not unplayable, but you’ll likely encounter some frustrating glitches, especially when it comes to pathfinding and quest triggers.

5- Should I play this if I’ve never played a Dragon Age game before?

While it helps to know the lore, The Veilguard is accessible enough for newcomers. Brace yourself for some obstacles ahead.

6- Is there romance in The Veilguard?

Of course! It wouldn’t be Dragon Age without the chance to woo your favorite companions. Just be prepared for plenty of awkward, magical conversations.

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