Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, recently lauded Dragon Age: The Veilguard, praising its focused identity and engaging gameplay. This article delves into his review and highlights key aspects of the game.
Larian Studios' Baldur's Gate 3 Exec Gives Dragon Age: The Veilguard Rave Review
Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), the publishing director at Larian Studios, the creators of Baldur's Gate 3, expressed his enthusiastic approval of BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. He revealed playing it secretly, even behind his backpack at work!
Douse highlighted The Veilguard's clear direction, stating it "truly knows what it wants to be," a refreshing change from previous Dragon Age installments. He compared its pacing to a "well-made, character-driven Netflix series," contrasting it favorably with longer, potentially less focused narratives.
The innovative combat system also received high praise. Douse described it as a brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy, calling it "giga-brain genius." This faster-paced, combo-driven combat marks a departure from the slower, tactical combat of earlier Dragon Age games, aligning it more closely with the style of BioWare's Mass Effect series.
Douse further praised the game's pacing and narrative structure, noting its ability to balance impactful story moments with opportunities for player experimentation. He even applauded BioWare's continued industry presence, emphasizing its importance amidst "moronic corporate greed."
While acknowledging that The Veilguard differs from the nostalgic charm of Dragon Age: Origins ("I'll always be a [Dragon Age: Origins] guy, and this isn't that."), Douse emphasized its unique identity and overall enjoyment: "In a word, it’s fun!"
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Rook Character Offers "True Player Agency"
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's custom protagonist, the Rook, allows for extensive character customization. According to Xbox Wire, players have significant control over their Rook's background, skills, and alignment, shaping their experience from the start. The Rook's mission: assemble a party to challenge two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.
Character creation is meticulously designed to ensure player agency. Choices, from backstory to combat specialization (Mage, Rogue, Warrior, with specializations like Spellblade), impact the game. Even the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, can be personalized, reflecting their journey. A developer stated, "As you do, Rook reminisces about their history before the events of the game...The result is a character who truly feels like mine."
This deep character customization likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment, especially given the game's emphasis on meaningful player choices. With its October 31st release date, BioWare hopes players will share Douse's enthusiasm. Our review awarded Dragon Age: The Veilguard a 90, praising its fluid and engaging action RPG gameplay.
