Dragon Age: The Veilguard [Xbox Series X] | REVIEW

It might have taken over ten years since the last release, but BioWare have finally released a new title in the Dragon Age series. And guess what? It’s really bloody good. After the underwhelming release of both Mass Effect: Andromeda and Anthem (both of which were admittedly nowhere near as bad as remembered), Dragon Age: The Veilguard marks a triumphant return to form for the beloved RPG developer.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Set ten years after Dragon Age: Inquisition, Dragon Age: The Veilguard sees Solas (who players of the previous game are sure to recognise) dead set on performing a ritual that would tear down the Veil, which was put in place to separate the real world with the dream-like world of The Fade. What a dick. Playing as Rook, a customisable character that players are able to define in their own way, with plenty of options in place for their look, backstory, class, and so forth, you must work with a band of heroes to stop him. Of course, it doesn’t take long for things to go a bit crazy and for the narrative to spin off in wild fantasy-driven directions, but that’s all part of the fun.

Introducing a fresh narrative with an intriguing new cast of characters while sprinkling in a few familiar faces, Dragon Age: The Veilguard actually feels like a really good starting point for newbies to the series. Whilst it remains deeply rooted in the lore and mythology of the Dragon Age universe, this is a game that is both accessible and inviting for those unfamiliar with past instalments. Don’t get me wrong, there will be elements of the storytelling that are better appreciated by long-time players and there are plenty of nods to past events, but you won’t feel like you’re completely out of the loop if you haven’t played a Dragon Age title before.

As expected for a BioWare title, the narrative centres on high-stakes decisions, and there are plenty of major choices that impact your relationships with companions, the world, and the story’s outcome. These decisions feel impactful, and the game keeps you engaged with a steady stream of emotional and moral dilemmas that’ll genuinely leave you completely torn on the best approach to take. The best part? It tends to focus more on immediate consequences rather than a lingering pay off, ensuring the narrative is better paced and makes your decisions feel more consequential. It ensures that the choices you make are more fulfilling, and ultimately helps sustains the belief that you really are shaping this story. And when you make a decision that doesn’t quite work out as you hope? It’s oddly satisfying and adds to the unpredictability of the fascinating world.

“Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a thrilling, action-packed RPG that feels fresh and exciting while staying true to the franchise’s roots.”

Dragon Age: The Veilguard also excels with its character design and writing. The cast of companions is diverse and interesting, with each having their own personalities and motivations that push them forward. Whether you’re bonding over shared history or getting to know someone new, the interactions between characters feel genuine and heartfelt. You’ll certainly have a favourite companion by the end (mine was Neve), but with different story routes to take depending on the choices you make, this could completely change per playthrough. It’s a testament to the game’s excellent writing, which continually delivers moments of humour, drama, and heart that truly do help the cast shine.

The only thing I will say about the storytelling is that it can take a few hours to really get going. Whilst I immediately enjoyed the writing and the characters that I encountered, it didn’t have me completely hooked in from the get-go. That’s not to say that it wasn’t exciting or that it wasn’t well-written, because believe me, it’s both, but it just lacked that special SOMETHING that made me desperate to progress. Thankfully, by the eight or ten-hour mark, I was ALL IN, but there was an initial slow burn that might be off-putting to some.

One of the biggest shifts in Dragon Age: The Veilguard is with its combat system. Gone are the days of tactical, slower-paced battling, and instead, the game adopts a fast, action-heavy combat style that will feel familiar to players of action games. Battles are fluid, intense, and incredibly satisfying, with Rook able to effortlessly switch between weapons and abilities in real time as he battles all sort of vicious foes. The skill trees are vast, whilst each class feels distinct enough that you’ll get a completely different experience based on what you choose – they also bring with them sub-classes that further add to the diversity of their use. Whether you’re raining down fireballs as an evoker mage or executing flashy sword combos as a duellist rogue (my choice during my playthrough), the combat feels exciting and impactful, all whilst rewarding experimentation by allowing players to tinker with different abilities, combos, and powers to see what works best for them. And with the ability to re-spec at any time, you’re never locked into a specific playstyle, meaning you can completely shift your approach to deal with a particular troublesome foe or if you just want to simply re-invent yourself. A quick warning, though: the class you choose at the start is locked in, so make sure you’re happy with it.

Check out some screenshots down below:

Another change in combat is the level of control you have over your party. Things have been scaled back so you don’t get to micromanage each character’s every move, but instead direct their actions in the heat of battle with quick orders, making use of their unique abilities. I think it’s something that might be a little bit divisive amongst players but given the shift to quicker and more action-orientated combat, I actually preferred it. It ensures that combat never feels bogged down by excessive micromanagement or force players to completely halt their actions just to make sure an ally is doing the right thing, but that there’s still an emphasis on strategic quick-thinking where the use of your companions’ skillset remains key to taking down the game’s toughest enemies.

Speaking of enemies, the variety on display is impressive. From blighted creatures to towering bosses, there’s always something new to fight, and the encounters rarely feel repetitive. The enemies themselves are well-designed, with each requiring a different approach to combat, whilst there are plenty of encounters that take a set piece-like approach and demand a specific strategy to succeed through. Boss fights are particularly intense and satisfying, and not only do they look bloody glorious in motion, but they also offer some of the game’s most thrilling moments and fully demonstrate just how good the combat is. They can be real spectacles and are easily the highlight of Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Visually, Dragon Age: The Veilguard is stunning. The game takes you through a variety of beautiful and well-designed locales, with the likes of lush forests, bustling towns, otherworldly realms, and desolate ruins making up the world, with each filled with secrets and hidden treasures. The level design is superb, offering plenty of opportunities for exploration without ever feeling like you’re wasting time, whilst there are always side quests to tackle, loot to collect, and lore to uncover. It really does feel like one of the best worlds that BioWare have crafted, and whilst there’s plenty to do within it, I often found myself simply taking time out to admire its sights. That being said, I would probably recommend sticking to playing in performance mode – you’re making a small visual sacrifice but getting some silky-smooth action as a reward, which really complements the fast pace of the action.

Developer: BioWare
Publisher: EA
Platform(s): Xbox Series X|S (Reviewed), PlayStation 5, PC
Website: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/dragon-age/dragon-age-the-veilguard