The Veilguard: A Dragon Age Returns, But is it Worth the Wait?
For dedicated fans of the Dragon Age franchise, the wait for a new mainline installment has been grueling. Nearly a decade has passed since Dragon Age: Inquisition graced our screens, and the anticipation for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, releasing on October 31st, is palpable. The question on everyone’s lips: will it be worth the agonizing wait?
After attending a recent preview event, I can confidently say that The Veilguard feels remarkably cohesive and polished, promising to be the best possible iteration of the beloved Dragon Age formula. Yet, with the game set years after the dramatic climax of Inquisition, a pivotal shift is evident. The series’ traditional structure of introducing new protagonists and stories within a shared universe is maintained, prompting a crucial question: how does The Veilguard navigate this transition while acknowledging the lingering threads from its predecessor?
Directly confronting this concern, I asked Corinne Busche, game director for The Veilguard, about the decision to introduce a new hero and organization, The Veilguard, rather than directly continuing the Inquisitor’s fight against the rogue god, Solas.
“Fundamentally, it comes down to the nature of what it is to be a Dragon Age game,” Busche explained. “Every single adventure is a different main character, series of locations, but never a direct sequel or continuation. It’s really central to the franchise’s loose ends, and of course we have loose ends and mysteries that span the whole series. Inquisition ended with an unresolved danger looming, and we knew that we both needed to address it, and that it’d be a big part of the next game. But it was still very important for us to continue the series’ throughline of a new character and part of the world taking center stage.”
This statement underscores the core philosophy of the Dragon Age series, fostering a sense of distinct yet interconnected narratives that weave a rich tapestry of lore and world-building. While The Veilguard directly confronts the implications of Inquisition’s conclusion, it simultaneously introduces a fresh perspective through Rook, the new protagonist.
"We really wanted to approach Rook with the goal of letting players create the Rook they wanted to be and see," shared Jen Cheverie, producer of The Veilguard. "In developing the character creator, we put a lot of intention behind the hairstyles, complexion, and everything. Hopefully, it results in the feeling [that] creating Rook feels very personal, and you can relate even more to the Companions and characters you know and the problems you solve throughout Thedas."
This emphasis on player customization, aiming for a heightened sense of personal connection to the protagonist, mirrors the franchise’s legacy of offering player-driven narratives and choices. Furthermore, Cheverie’s statement emphasizes the importance of establishing a sense of familiar comfort for returning players, ensuring a smooth transition into the new hero and their story.
However, the concept of a new protagonist wouldn’t be complete without considering the return of beloved characters from previous installments—a delicate balancing act that requires skillful execution.
"I’ve always been a fan of the games and their protagonists—the Hero of Ferelden, Hawke, my dear Inquisitor, whom I still love," stated Busche, emphasizing the team’s own emotional connection to the series. "One of the most interesting challenges is to have one of those prior leads, like the Inquisitor, meet Rook. Both of them have distinct, important roles within their own journeys and that of Thedas. So when they and Rook cross paths, it’s almost like two titans meeting; those interactions are so complex, and for longtime fans, they’ll also be so full of memories and feelings."
These potent words highlight the emotional resonance of familiar faces returning within the new story. By carefully integrating these characters and their intricate histories, The Veilguard promises to evoke nostalgia while simultaneously creating a dynamic relationship with Rook and their unique journey.
The team’s approach to companion selection further embodies this careful balance. "It’s a mix of a few things," Busche explained regarding the inclusion of characters like Neve and Lucanis, previously seen in Dragon Age expanded universe materials. "Tevinter is in Northern Thedas, a place full of brand-new locations we’ve alluded to before. Fans have wanted more of that region, but they never got to go there in the prior games. We knew we wanted to do right by them, and we also knew we needed Companions that represented these parts of the world, and who were affiliated with new and returning factions."
Here, the development team demonstrates their understanding of the fervent desire for Tevinter exploration, incorporating it seamlessly into the narrative and character design. It’s not just about filling a companion slot but introducing compelling characters who embody the complex and fascinating region.
"When I was a QA analyst on Inquisition, Scout Harding was such a constant for us," Cheverie shared. "Seeing the reaction players had to her, we knew we had to bring her back to dive into her story more and let players develop that relationship with her. It was an exciting endeavor to let players get to know her more, and learn more about dwarven history in the process."
This decision highlights the team’s responsiveness to player feedback, bringing back a character who unexpectedly resonated with fans and incorporating them into the narrative in a meaningful way. This emphasizes the team’s dedication to enriching both new and existing storylines, making the game world feel dynamic and responsive to the player base.
"Harding was a Companion choice we made early on," confirmed Busche. "Seeing players fall in love with Harding back in Inquisition was a bit of a surprise, honestly. But we were inspired, so it felt like a natural extension to make her return as a fully-fledged Companion that also had ties back to the Inquisition."
This reflects a commitment to organically integrate returning characters, recognizing their impact on the player base and incorporating them into the new narrative in a way that feels natural and rewarding.
However, balancing the introduction of new characters with the nostalgia of familiar faces is just one aspect of the intricate puzzle The Veilguard aims to solve. The extended gap between Inquisition and The Veilguard also presents the challenge of welcoming new players while staying true to the established lore and fan expectations.
"Even if you’re a diehard fan, it might’ve been 10 years since you played Inquisition, and there’s a lot of lore to keep in your head," Busche acknowledged. "For lapsed players or new ones, we made sure Veilguard was going to be a great entry point: in our first few hours, we take great care to focus on core concepts—like who’s Solas, your immediate next step, and motivations to keep going."
The team’s dedication to accessibility is clear, aiming to create a welcoming experience for players of various levels of familiarity with the franchise. Carefully integrating exposition and establishing context early on ensures a smooth introduction to the world, seamlessly building a foundation for players to engage with the intricate lore.
"For the lore junkies, around every corner, you find new information about these longstanding mysteries," Busche elaborated. "As you get deeper into the game, a lot of longstanding theories will get some resolution. And speaking to expanded media, I love that we’ll get to feature characters that came from the comics or books and haven’t shown up in the games yet. My immediate go-tos are Strife and Irelin [from Dragon Age: Tevinter Nights], and fan-favorite character Maevaris Tilani. There’s other surprises in store too, and I can’t wait for players to experience them."
This dedication to rewarding dedicated fans with subtle details and deeper lore exploration alongside the clear introduction for new players underscores the team’s balancing act. The Veilguard aims to be both a satisfying continuation for longtime fans and a compelling entry point for newcomers.
The team’s approach to the game’s design, showcasing the integration of elements borrowed from its sibling franchise Mass Effect, also reveals a fascinating aspect of The Veilguard’s development.
"We approached it from the lens of, “Was this right for the story, and how would it help us?” Busche explained. "We look back at our entire catalog of games to see where we had similar successes, or “What makes sense for a story, environment, and development team like this?” Every Dragon Age game has reinvented itself in some way, from the combat to how we approach the world. It’s the greatest challenge, and for me, the most interesting opportunity, since it allowed us to look back on fan-favorite features spanning all previous games, and see if they make sense to pull forward.”
Here, the team exemplifies a willingness to build upon established elements from both franchises, allowing for a dynamic and innovative approach to development while respecting the core identities of both. This commitment to evolution, combined with a keen eye for what works best for the current game, promises a fresh and engaging experience for players of both Mass Effect and Dragon Age.
But the true test of this careful balancing act will be the players’ reactions. "There are people on this team who’ve been with BioWare for a long time, even going back to Origins," Cheverie remarked. "The idea of what a Dragon Age game is is pretty strong with a lot of the team, and it’s a collaborative effort. As we’re going through the game, people are giving feedback and offering their insight into things. The magical moment for us is when you sit down and play through something you had a hand in making and you go, “This feels like Dragon Age, this is it."
Ultimately, the success of The Veilguard hinges on capturing the essence of what makes Dragon Age so captivating. The team’s dedication to its core values, combined with a willingness to evolve and innovate, promises a captivating journey for new and returning players alike. Will it be a triumphant return to the world of Thedas, or will it fall short of our high expectations after a decade-long hiatus? The answer, dear readers, lies within the pages of The Veilguard, waiting to be discovered on October 31st.
