Dragon Age: The Veilguard: Is it really that bad? 10 Hours in Review
17Dragon Age: The Veilguard: Is it really that bad? 10 Hours in Review
Graphics and Performance
One of the standout highlights of Dragon Age: Veil Guard is its graphics and performance. While I've seen a lot of criticism around the art style, I personally think the game looks phenomenal. The art direction is captivating, and the locations I've explored so far are visually stunning. Character designs are polished and detailed, adding to the immersive feel of the world.
Performance-wise, the game runs exceptionally well. On my 4090 with all settings maxed out, the game looks excellent, with no major performance issues to speak of. The only minor drawback is the transition between cutscenes and gameplay—it can be a bit jarring as it loads into a separate screen for the cutscene before transitioning back to gameplay. It disrupts the flow and doesn’t feel seamless.
That said, this is a small nitpick. Overall, the graphics and performance are spot on and easily one of the best aspects of the game.
Companions So Far
So far, the companions in Dragon Age: Veilguard haven’t resonated with me. I haven't felt a real connection with most of them—Harding, Neve, or even Bellara, the Veil Jumper girl, whose name I struggled to remember. The only character who has sparked some interest is Lucanis, mainly because of the intriguing dynamic involving the demon he carries on his back. There’s potential there, and it hints at deeper storytelling. The others, however, feel underwhelming. Bellara’s voice acting, for instance, borders on annoying, and some members of her faction are equally grating. Harding had one standout moment that caught my attention, but Neve has been mostly forgettable.
When I compare this to Baldur’s Gate 3, it’s striking how different the experiences are. Each companion in Baldur’s Gate feels layered, like an onion with so many intricate sides to uncover. The connection you form isn’t always instant or rooted in liking them from the start; it’s about being intrigued by who they are and the way they evolve over time. Initially, they might put up a front, but as you dig deeper, they reveal new aspects of their character that draw you in.
Dialog Options and Writing
From the early hours of Dragon Age: Veilguard, it becomes glaringly obvious that the writing leans heavily on repetition and over-explanation. One scene that really highlights this is when Neve, a key character, gets injured at the start of the game. Within just an hour of gameplay, she’s bombarded with questions and comments like, “Are you okay?”, “Can you go on?”, and “You’re injured, are you fine?”—five or six times over. It’s relentless, to the point where it becomes genuinely annoying. You start thinking, “Didn’t someone just ask that two minutes ago?”
The dialogue lacks subtlety, too. I picked the background of a Grey Warden who defied orders to save a village, a rich setup brimming with storytelling potential. But instead of weaving this history into the narrative with nuance, it’s plastered all over the script. Every NPC from the main cast to passing bystanders seems to have a line about it, and they don’t shy away from bluntly stating it in the most on-the-nose manner. The result? It feels less like character depth and more like a neon sign flashing your backstory every chance it gets.
Combat & Gameplay Mechanics
So far, the gameplay and combat have been pretty enjoyable. I like the new combat system in Veil Guard. It’s not quite the same as previous iterations, but it works well enough. I mostly find myself using the square and triangle buttons on the PS5 controller, which, honestly, feels a bit basic at times. But trust me, there's more to it—combining powers with your companions lets you trigger some cool combo moves, and those really elevate the experience.
The ultimate ability is a lot of fun too, especially during boss fights where timing really matters. Deciding when to unleash it can make the difference between a tough battle and a smooth victory. I'm playing as a mage, and I have to say, I appreciate that mages in this game also wield a melee weapon. It means I'm not stuck standing far from the action, feeling helpless when an enemy closes the distance. Instead, I can get right in there and mix it up with close combat as well.
If you liked this breakdown, be sure to hit that like button and subscribe for more Veil Guard content as we continue the adventure. And let me know in the comments—how are you finding Dragon Age: Veil Guard so far? Do you agree with these points or have a different take? I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for tuning in, and I'll see you next time!
#DragonAge #TheVeilguard #DragonAge2024 #Solas #Varric #DragonAgeCompanions #DragonAgeLore #Bioware #RPG #DragonAgeSeries #Thedas #DragonAgeFans #RPG2024 #UpcomingRPGs #dragonageveilguard #gamereview #gamereviews #DragonAge #VeilGuard #ChatGPTPlays #AIChoices #Part1 #GamingSeries