The sequel to Dragon Age: Inquisition has arrived, but it seems to be at odds with itself. While marketed as “The Veilguard,” the game never actually mentions this term within its 100-hour campaign. Instead, the focus remains on the Dread Wolf, the villainous persona of former companion Solas, who was set up as the main antagonist in Inquisition’s DLC.
However, Solas has been relegated to a supporting role, appearing only in dreams to offer advice. The story is still dedicated to him, but his fate feels disconnected from the choices players made in previous Dragon Age games. The Veilguard does not allow players to import or recreate their save games and world states, aside from three basic decisions made in Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC.
The game’s creative director, John Epler, explained that the move to Northern Thedas was intended to create a clean slate, as fewer player decisions from the south would impact the story. However, this means that the Thedas players helped shape across dozens of hours is not the same one at stake in The Veilguard.
The Veilguard’s evolving narrative focus
The game’s tone and setting also feel different from previous entries, with grand locations like the Necropolis and floating Minrathous fortress feeling divorced from the earthier lands of Inquisition and the darker regions where the saga began. If BioWare needed to start afresh, an entirely new story, characters, and setting might have been a cleaner choice. The Veilguard also struggles with its character interactions.
There are rarely options for proper back-and-forth conversations, and very few party members can be spoken to at length after their initial recruitment. This lack of introductory dialogue makes it difficult to forge bonds and trust with the team, despite their likeable personalities. Fan-favorite character Varric has been sidelined, consigned to his bedroom and spouting incidental dialogue that players cannot engage with.
This treatment of both new and returning characters highlights The Veilguard’s uneasy relationship with its predecessor. Ultimately, The Veilguard seems torn between being a direct sequel to Inquisition and a fresh start for the series. Its conflicting intentions leave players wondering what they truly wanted from Dragon Age 4: a continuation of the Solas story, a throwback to Origins’ tactical combat and darker tone, a soft reboot with new characters and setting, or a full action game without the RPG elements.
Johannah Lopez is a versatile professional who seamlessly navigates two worlds. By day, she excels as a SaaS freelance writer, crafting informative and persuasive content for tech companies. By night, she showcases her vibrant personality and customer service skills as a part-time bartender. Johannah's ability to blend her writing expertise with her social finesse makes her a well-rounded and engaging storyteller in any setting.
