Hello RPG fans! BioWare has come up with a new Dragon Age, but not a big game like Inquisition, no, no! We’re talking about The Veilguard, a more modest spin-off released directly on consoles. So, is this little Dragon Age worth the detour? We’ve investigated for you!
Story: It sounds like bad fan fiction…
Frankly, The Veilguard ‘s story is its biggest weakness. We play a rookie Shadowguard (original…) who must investigate a conspiracy that threatens Thedas (even more original…). The script is full of clichés, the characters are bland and the dialogue is sorely lacking in inspiration. It sounds like bad fan fiction written by a teenager in need of inspiration.
Gameplay: simplistic action RPG
Gameplay-wise, this is a fairly basic action RPG. There are a few skills to unlock, potions to use and combos to chain together. The combat system is rather flabby and lacks depth. You get bored pretty quickly. Even the boss battles aren’t very exciting.
Lifespan: Shorter than a drunken dwarf
Allow around 5-6 hours to complete the main adventure. Yes, you read that right! That’s extremely short for an RPG, even for a spin-off. There are a few side quests, but they’re just as uninteresting as the main story. In other words, replayability is close to zero.
Music and graphics: a divisive cartoon style
Visually, The Veilguard adopts a cartoon style in stark contrast to previous Dragon Age games. While some will appreciate this more colorful and dynamic approach, others will find it too childish and not at all suited to the Dragon Age universe. The soundtrack is decent, but nothing more. There are a few musical themes inspired by previous games, but nothing memorable.
Verdict: A disappointing spin-off that doesn’t do the saga justice
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a major disappointment. The story is insipid, the gameplay simplistic and the lifespan ridiculous. Even fans of the saga are likely to be left wanting more. Let’s hope BioWare makes up for it with Dreadwolf…
