It's been a decade since "Dragon Age" fans last got a taste of the sweeping fantasy adventure, and the long-awaited follow-up to "Inquisition" now comes roaring out of the gates in the form of "Dragon Age: The Veilguard," a majestic, sweeping journey that embodies the term "epic" in every imaginable sense. Stunningly detailed, richly designed and exquisitely written, the game stands alone as the must-play RPG of the 2025 holiday season.
Due out Friday, BioWare's latest magnum opus took me out of my comfort zone and swallowed me into its intricate world. In my two-plus pre-launch weeks with the game, I felt a similar sense of awe and adrenaline as I did when I first was swept up into the majesty of "Final Fantasy," "The Lord of the Rings" and "Game of Thrones."
Previous "Dragon Age" games were winning examples of the technological capabilities of RPGs of their time, but "The Veilguard" ups the stakes considerably, making previous games in the series seem like archaic relics in the way that "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" did to the top-down games in the series.
Adaptable and user-focused from the outset, BioWare set out to ensure the experience emphasized player ownership. Your first moments with the game start with a detailed character creator, with choices that will affect your outlook, opportunities and drive. You can respec throughout your journey, letting you reset your character and correct any previous choices you've made. The replayability level here is absurd. Any playthrough could wind up with materially different experiences than any other five.
To give away the gist of the story would be a disservice to players wanting to experience it fresh, so I will veer away from details. What I will say is that the writing matches the scale of a TV miniseries or film trilogy, taking time to set up character development and developing plotlines that end up paying off in satisfying, and often shocking, crescendos.
The real-time combat is absorbing, the visuals are enchanting and the game abounds with side quests that never feel like filler. Every move you make feels like worthy endeavors that color your character's growth, struggles and overall drive.
The 2024 gaming year has been kind to RPG devotees, starting with "Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth" in February, "Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree" in June. Those games feel like appetizers for this main course, with "The Veilguard" managing to steal the thunder of those asymmetrical contenders with confidence and decisive thunder.
The veil will soon be lifted, and it's time for RPG fans of all stripes to rejoice. Here is your new obsession that will fuel your imagination well into the new year.
Publisher provided review code.
1 comment:
The early review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard has me excited! It's great to see how the game builds on the series' rich lore and delivers an immersive experience right from the start. The character development and story depth seem to be true highlights, bringing players back to that classic Dragon Age feel. It's amazing how games like this inspire creative communities, too—just like those in the USA Embroidery Digitizing world, where fans can bring fantasy worlds to life through custom patches and designs. Looking forward to diving into this adventure and seeing how the story unfolds!
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