Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, recently lauded Dragon Age: The Veilguard, praising its focused design and engaging gameplay. This article delves into his assessment of BioWare's latest action RPG.
Larian Studios' Publishing Chief Sings High Praises for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), the publishing director at Larian Studios (creators of Baldur's Gate 3), expressed enthusiastic approval for BioWare's Dragon Age: The Veilguard. He revealed playing the game "in complete secrecy," even jokingly admitting to playing it hidden behind his backpack at the office.
Douse highlighted The Veilguard's clear direction, stating it "truly knows what it wants to be," a refreshing contrast to previous series entries that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He likened the experience to a "well-made, character-driven Netflix series" rather than a sprawling, lengthy one.
The combat system also received significant praise. Douse described it as a "mix of Xenoblade Chronicles & Hogwarts Legacy," calling the blend "giga-brain genius." This faster-paced, combo-driven combat system marks a departure from the more tactical approach of earlier Dragon Age games, aligning it more closely with the style of BioWare's Mass Effect series.
Douse further commended The Veilguard's pacing, noting its "good sense of propulsion" and ability to balance impactful narrative moments with opportunities for player experimentation. He also lauded BioWare's continued industry presence, emphasizing its importance amidst "moronic corporate greed."
The most striking aspect of Douse's review was his characterization of The Veilguard as "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be." While this might seem critical of past entries, Douse clarified, "I’ll always be a [Dragon Age: Origins] guy, and this isn't that." He acknowledged that while it lacks the nostalgia of Origins, The Veilguard possesses a distinct and well-defined vision. In his words, "In a word, it’s fun!"
Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Rook Character Customization Offers "True Player Agency"
Dragon Age: The Veilguard aims for deep character immersion through the Rook, a customizable protagonist with extensive personalization options. According to Xbox Wire, players will have considerable control over their Rook's background, skills, and alignment. The player's task: assemble a party to confront two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.
Character creation in The Veilguard ensures that every choice, from backstory to combat specialization, impacts the player's experience. Classes include Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for mages). Personalization extends even to the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, where players can decorate rooms to reflect their character's journey.
A developer stated to Xbox Wire, "As you do, Rook reminisces about their history before the events of the game...The result is a character who truly feels like mine."
This focus on meaningful choices likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment. With The Veilguard's release on October 31st, BioWare hopes players share Douse's enthusiasm. Our review, awarding the game a 90, praised its embrace of a faster-paced action RPG style. For a detailed analysis, please see our full review.
