Dragon Age: The Veilguard – Overall Review and Opinion

Dragon Age: The Veilguard has made a powerful impact on RPG fans, drawing high praise from critics and players alike. Returning to Thedas, players are immediately immersed in a captivating story filled with magical intrigue, character-driven plots, and the signature choice-based gameplay that defines the Dragon Age series.

Release Information

• Released On: October 31, 2024

• Metascore: Generally Favorable

  • Overall: 80/100 (Based on 51 Critic Reviews)

  • All Platforms: 84/100 (Based on 23 Critic Reviews)

  • PC: 93/100 (Based on 5 Critic Reviews)

Eurogamer described The Veilguard as “an extraordinary accomplishment,” stating, "What BioWare has managed to accomplish here, in the face of all the pressure it's faced since Dragon Age: Inquisition came out 10 years ago, is extraordinary." They emphasized how the game is "warm and welcoming, funny and hopeful, gentle when it needs to be, and, of course, epic—epic in a way that will set a high bar not only for BioWare in years to come but for role-playing games in general." They concluded emphatically, "The Veilguard is spectacular. BioWare is back."

IGN echoed similar sentiments, calling it “a return to form” for BioWare and praising the game’s "beautifully interconnected" environments. The level design reminded them of Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, with cleverly designed corridors and hidden nooks enhancing exploration. They also highlighted the character models, customization options, and realistic armor, stating it might have "some of the best-looking character models, including hair and armor, ever seen in a BioWare game."

GameSpot noted that the game "brings the player into a deeply immersive world that feels familiar yet fresh," praising its engaging combat and character interactions. They emphasized the importance of player choices and how they impact the narrative, making every decision feel meaningful. However, they also pointed out that Rook, the protagonist, can feel somewhat listless in the plot at times, and the inconsistent lock-on system can lead to frustrating moments during combat.

The Good

• The scenery of each location is beautiful and fleshed out with compelling lore.

• The character creator is one of the best, rewarding player choices by using them to inform conversation options throughout the game.

• The cast of characters, especially party companions, is fantastic.

• With the right class, combat mechanics flow satisfyingly and reward strategic play.

The Bad

• Inconsistent lock-on and arcane visual clutter can lead to frustrating deaths, especially for mage players.

• The protagonist, Rook, can feel a bit listless within the plot.

• Art direction sometimes creates an uncanny feeling among certain characters, disrupting the tone in specific locations or story beats, as noted by GameSpot's in-progress review.

Overall Opinion

The Veilguard has received stellar reviews across multiple platforms:

• IGN rated it 9/10, praising its deep lore and engaging story.

• Eurogamer awarded it a perfect 100, stating, "With Dragon Age: The Veilguard, BioWare manages to bring the series into the present: great technology, excellent playability, engaging story and characters, and, above all, fantastic action combat make for an outstanding modern role-playing game."

• GIGA rated it 90, highlighting the well-developed characters and innovative gameplay while retaining the essence that fans love.

• PC Games rated it 85, praising the action-packed battles and rich lore.

• Noisy Pixel awarded it 80, acknowledging some stumbles but praising the engaging plot and character dynamics.

• Push Square gave it a 70, appreciating the emotional engagement and improved combat, while noting some limitations in meaningful player choice.

• GameSpot provided a provisional score of 70, expressing satisfaction with the gameplay experience overall but highlighting minor drawbacks.

• CD-Action rated it 60, criticizing the game for lacking true RPG elements and offering a mediocre experience.

In all, Dragon Age: The Veilguard stands out as an impressive addition to the series, blending storytelling, tactical gameplay, and complex choices that keep players deeply engaged from start to finish.

Note: This review opinion is based on critical consensus and not personal experience.