'Dragon Age: The Veilguard' is Bioware meets God of War (Austin's Hands-On Impresions)

Summary

In this preview of *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*, BioWare introduces a thrilling evolution of the franchise with dynamic combat, detailed character customization, and a compelling narrative. Players can enjoy fast-paced action reminiscent of *God of War*, with deep RPG mechanics and flexible build options. The game features immersive visuals enhanced by RTX ray tracing, and a rich cast of companions, each with their own unique story. With significant departures from previous *Dragon Age* titles, *The Veilguard* offers a fresh take on the series while maintaining the core elements that fans love. Release is set for October 31st.

Takeaways

• 😀 Dragon Age: The Veilguard features dynamic and flexible combat, allowing players to customize their builds and classes for a unique experience.
• 😀 The game offers three distinct class types: Warrior, Rogue, and Mage, each with multiple skill trees and playstyles that cater to different preferences.
• 😀 The Rogue class stands out with its magic-infused arrow abilities and a tinkerer spec that focuses on turrets and bombs, offering exciting combat options.
• 😀 The Warrior class offers diverse playstyles, including a death knight build and the ability to summon spirit weapons, offering a versatile combat experience.
• 😀 Players can respec their character's build at any time, though base class choice is permanent, encouraging multiple playthroughs and experimentation.
• 😀 Combat feels fast and fun, with a focus on visual flare, though some aspects (like dodging) still feel a bit stiff and need improvement.
• 😀 Itemization is a key feature, with gear offering significant perks that influence build development, making every piece of gear valuable.
• 😀 The game's combat system blends individual player agency with team-based camaraderie, aligning well with the themes of companionship in the story.
• 😀 Despite some concerns regarding its tumultuous development, the game delivers on its promise of engaging gameplay and deep customization.
• 😀 The visuals are stunning, especially with features like ray tracing and reflective surfaces, which add a significant layer of immersion to the gameplay.
• 😀 While the game may depart from the franchise's older, grittier RPG roots, its updated systems and grand presentation make it accessible to new players and still appealing to loyal fans.

Q & A

What is the main feature of *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* that distinguishes it from previous *Dragon Age* games?

The main feature that sets *Dragon Age: The Veilguard* apart from its predecessors is its more dynamic and action-oriented combat system. The game introduces a deeper focus on combat flexibility, where each class offers multiple distinct builds that cater to different playstyles, including options for both ranged and melee combat.

How does class flexibility work in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

In *The Veilguard*, players can respec their characters at any time, allowing them to freely change their build without altering their base class. Each class has multiple skill trees that offer significantly different playstyles, giving players the ability to experiment with various combinations of abilities and tactics.

What makes the Rogue class unique in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

The Rogue class in *The Veilguard* offers two highly distinct playstyles. One spec focuses on agility, using legalist-style flips and magic-infused arrows, while another turns the Rogue into a crafty tinkerer with turrets and bombs. This versatility makes the Rogue stand out compared to traditional archers in RPGs.

How does the Warrior class stand out in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

The Warrior class in *The Veilguard* is notably diverse. It includes a 'death knight' style playthrough in one skill tree and another that focuses on summoning spirit weapons to tear through enemies. The Warrior’s unique abilities, like a dropkick move that sends enemies flying, add flair and excitement to what could otherwise be a more straightforward class.

What is the appeal of the Mage class for players who might not typically enjoy playing spellcasters?

In *The Veilguard*, the Mage class has been designed to be more dynamic and engaging than traditional slow-paced casters. The spellblade tree allows players to combine melee and ranged spells, providing a fast-paced, action-oriented combat experience that contrasts with the usual slower, strategic gameplay of classic Mages.

How does build crafting work in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

Build crafting in *The Veilguard* is intuitive and impactful. Every point in a skill tree matters, with many bonuses ranging between 10% and 100%, making each decision feel meaningful. Players can combine different abilities and gear perks to create unique, powerful builds that enhance their combat effectiveness.

What role do companions play in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

Companions in *The Veilguard* are integral to both the narrative and combat. Players can connect with their companions on a deeper level, and the dynamic combat system allows players to work together with them in battle. Each companion brings unique abilities, and their personalities and stories enrich the overall experience.

Are there any issues with the combat mechanics in *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

While the combat in *The Veilguard* is generally well-received, there are a couple of minor criticisms. The dodge mechanic is described as somewhat stiff, and the sheer volume of visual effects during intense combat can be overwhelming. Additionally, players cannot control companions directly, which could be limiting if you wish to play a different class than the companions.

How does the game’s visuals contribute to the overall experience?

The visuals in *The Veilguard* are highly immersive, with impressive attention to detail, especially in the use of light and reflective surfaces. The game supports advanced visual technologies like ray tracing and DLSS3, which enhance the graphics, making the magical spells and environments more vivid and dynamic.

What are some of the concerns players might have with *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*?

Some players might be concerned about the game's departure from the more strategic, gritty RPG roots of the previous *Dragon Age* titles. The shift towards a more action-focused gameplay might not appeal to fans who prefer the older, tactical approach. Additionally, the game's development has faced challenges, including leadership changes and rumors of it being a live-service game, which could lead to skepticism.