Dragon Age: Unveiling a Path of Distinction

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

Larian Studios' Publishing Chief Extols Dragon Age: The Veilguard

"A Dragon Age Game That Finally Knows Itself," Says Baldur's Gate 3 Executive

Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), the publishing director at Larian Studios (creators of Baldur's Gate 3), expressed unreserved admiration for BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a candid Twitter post, Douse revealed his clandestine playthrough – a humorous tale involving playing the game hidden behind his backpack at the office.

Douse highlighted The Veilguard's clear sense of identity, a refreshing departure from previous entries in the series. He described the game's focused approach as a welcome change, contrasting it favorably with past titles that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. Douse even drew a compelling analogy, likening it to a "well-crafted, character-driven Netflix series" rather than a sprawling, lengthy epic.

The Veilguard's combat system also earned Douse's high praise. He described it as a brilliant fusion of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy, a combination he dubbed "giga-brain genius." This innovative approach steers The Veilguard closer to the fast-paced action of BioWare's Mass Effect series, emphasizing fluid combos and powerful attack chains, in contrast to the more deliberate, tactical combat of earlier Dragon Age games.

Douse further praised the game's pacing, noting its "excellent propulsion and momentum," and its adept handling of narrative pacing, seamlessly blending crucial story moments with opportunities for players to experiment with their class abilities. This represents a departure from the more traditional RPG structure of its predecessors. His commendation extended to BioWare's continued industry presence, which he deemed vital amidst "corporate greed."

However, the most striking observation from Douse centers on The Veilguard's self-assured identity. He proclaimed it "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be." While this could be interpreted as a subtle critique of previous installments, Douse clarified: "I'll always be a Dragon Age: Origins guy, and this isn't that." While lacking the nostalgic appeal of Dragon Age: Origins, The Veilguard’s distinct vision resonated deeply with Douse. "In short, it's fun!" he concluded.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Rook Character Offers "True Player Agency"

Dragon Age: The Veilguard strives to deliver an immersive character experience through the Rook, a customizable protagonist with highly personalized traits. According to Xbox Wire, players enjoy extensive creative control over their 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 player agency, ensuring that choices, from backstory to combat specialization, align with the player's vision. Players select from Mage, Rogue, and Warrior classes, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for mages). Personalization extends even to the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, where players decorate rooms to reflect their character's journey.

"As you play, Rook reflects on their past," a developer shared with Xbox Wire. "This allowed me to define my Rook further – even down to seemingly minor details, like face tattoos. The result is a character that truly feels like my own."

This meticulous attention to detail likely contributed to Michael Douse's positive assessment, particularly the emphasis on meaningful player choices. With The Veilguard's October 31st release date approaching, BioWare hopes players share Douse's enthusiasm.

Our review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard highlighted its embrace of "faster action RPG gameplay," offering "more fluid and engaging mechanics" compared to its predecessors. For a comprehensive review and our 90-point rating, see our full article [link to article].