Dragon Age: The Veilguard “Truly Knows What it Wants to Be” Praises BG3 Exec

Larian Studios' publishing director, Michael Douse, recently lauded BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. His enthusiastic comments highlight a significant shift in the franchise's direction.

Larian Studios' Publishing Director Praises Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Focused Vision

Baldur's Gate 3's publishing director, Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), has publicly praised Dragon Age: The Veilguard, revealing he secretly played it at work. Douse's key takeaway? The Veilguard finally "knows what it wants to be." This clear vision, he suggests, is a refreshing contrast to previous Dragon Age titles, which sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He likened the experience to a compelling Netflix series, short and focused, rather than a sprawling, drawn-out epic.

Douse also highlighted the innovative combat system, describing it as a brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy. This faster-paced, combo-driven combat aligns more closely with the Mass Effect series than previous Dragon Age games. He praised the game's pacing and its ability to balance impactful narrative moments with opportunities for player experimentation. This represents a departure from the more traditional RPG structure of earlier titles. His praise extended to BioWare's continued industry presence, emphasizing its importance amidst "moronic corporate greed."

The Veilguard's newfound identity is arguably Douse's most significant point. While acknowledging his fondness for Dragon Age: Origins, he emphasized that The Veilguard is distinct, forging its own path. In short: it's fun.

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

Dragon Age: The Veilguard aims for deep player immersion through its customizable Rook character. According to Xbox Wire, players have extensive control over Rook's background, skills, and alignment. Players assemble a party to combat two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.

Character creation is designed to make every choice meaningful, from backstory to combat specialization. Players select from Mage, Rogue, and Warrior classes, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for mages). Even the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, can be personalized to reflect their journey. A developer stated that even seemingly minor choices, like face tattoos, contribute to a unique and personal character experience.

This focus on character detail, combined with impactful choices, likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment. With its October 31st release date approaching, BioWare hopes players will share Douse's enthusiasm. Our review awarded The Veilguard a 90, praising its fluid, engaging combat and faster action RPG pace.