Jenerosas Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review

Dragon Age Veilguard: A Disappointing Turn for the Series As a long-time fan of the Dragon Age franchise, I was eagerly awaiting Dragon Age Veilguard. The series has always held a special place in my heart, with its dark tone, compelling RPG mechanics, and unforgettable companions. Unfortunately, this game falls short on every front, leaving me deeply disappointed after 10 years of anticipation. 1. Art Style One of the defining elements of Dragon Age has always been its dark, mature aesthetic. From Origins to Dragon Age II, the world felt gritty and atmospheric, perfectly matching the tone of its story. However, Dragon Age Veilguard adopts a bright, almost childlike "Pixar" art style, which is completely at odds with the series' roots. It feels like a children's game, completely missing the mark on what made the previous titles so beloved. 2. Lack of Story Connection The game fails to build any meaningful connection with the player. You start as a rook with no backstory, no origin, and no context. There’s no sense of place or understanding of what’s happening. You're thrown into a city—what city? Who knows?—and suddenly tasked with saving the world. There's no buildup, no sense of stakes, and no time to care about the plot. The storytelling feels rushed and hollow, making it impossible to immerse yourself in the world. 3. Removal of RPG Mechanics One of the most baffling decisions was the complete removal of the detailed RPG mechanics that fans loved in previous Dragon Age games. In Dragon Age Origins, every weapon had intricate stats—things like dexterity, strength, magic, and constitution—along with detailed numbers that allowed you to fine-tune your character and maximize specific attributes. It gave players a sense of control and strategy in building their character. In Veilguard, these specifics are stripped away, leaving only basic stats with no depth. It feels like a shallow system, where you equip gear and see a general damage output with no real connection to your character’s growth. The lack of attention to these details removes a key element that made the series stand out as an RPG. 4. Lifeless Companions Companions have always been a highlight of Dragon Age, offering rich personalities, deep backstories, and dynamic interactions. In this game, however, they feel lifeless and bland. They lack disagreements, character depth, or any meaningful dialogue. Worse, their personalities feel out of place in the medieval setting. They talk like Gen Z influencers, completely breaking immersion. Their identities seem more focused on modern social issues than on contributing to the story or the world. For example, companions feel more passionate about their gender identities than the actual plot. While representation has always been part of Dragon Age, it was handled subtly and naturally in previous games. Characters like Anders or Dorian were much more than their sexuality—they had nuanced backstories and meaningful roles in the story. Here, it feels forced and in-your-face, making it hard to connect with any of them. 5. A Lack of Emotion and Roleplay Even Dragon Age Origins, a game released over 16 years ago, managed to make companions feel alive through their expressions and voice acting. In Veilguard, the companions are robotic, and the emotional depth is non-existent. There’s no ability to truly roleplay, and the world feels hollow. The emphasis on social commentary, such as misgendering and gender identity, overtakes the dark themes of Dragon Age, like the fight against the darkspawn. It’s not handled organically and detracts from the story rather than adding to it. Final Thoughts After a decade of waiting, Dragon Age Veilguard is a massive letdown. Growing up with this series, I had high hopes, but this game fails to live up to the legacy of its predecessors. It’s hard to believe this was made by BioWare, the same studio that gave us masterpieces like Dragon Age Origins. Instead of building on what made the franchise great, this game strips away its soul, leaving behind an empty shell. It’s disappointing to say, but Dragon Age Veilguard is not the game fans were hoping for—and it certainly doesn’t deserve to carry the Dragon Age name.