Its been nearly a decade since the RPG veterans at BioWare releasedDragon Age: Inquisition, the predecessor toVeilguard.
This issue is baked into the RPGs core premise.
As pitches for a grand adventure go, its strong, if a little by the numbers.
For long-time series fans, this is a feature, rather than a bug.
However, regardless of its impressive combat and strong writing,Veilguardis defined by its past.
These abilities vary wildly depending on your build.
Is it better to heal or to unleash a maelstrom of deadly necrotic magic?
Questions like this keepVeilguards combat engaging hundreds of battles into the campaign.
This adds an ebb and flow to battles, rewarding you for attentive play.
This sort of customisability is at the forefront ofVeilguard.
This tree contains dozens of nodes, each unlocking novelties ranging from significant passive buffs to brand-new abilities.
Getting to know Taash, a brusque dragon hunter, was a particular highlight.
Its arguably one of the strongest personal storylines in a Bioware game to date.
This ensures that their differences in opinion seem organic rather than forced.
Unfortunately, not every aspect ofVeilguards storytelling is as consistent or impressive as these character-driven vignettes.
WhileVeilguardrarely stumbles to this extent, the side-quests often feel rushed and do little to broaden the fantasy.
One particularly gut-wrenching decision forced me to choose between two missions offered by different companions.
When I made my decision, the venomous disappointment of the offended party felt compelling and realized.
Its these moments that cementVeilguards place in theDragon Agecanon.
However, those newer toDragon Agewill need to hit the books if they want to enjoy everythingVeilguardhas to offer.
Should you play Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
If youve been yearning to return to Thedas, youve come to the right place.
The campaign is a whistle-stop tour of yet-unexplored locales - a wish come true for long-time fans.
You love ensemble castsVeilguardtreats its supporting characters with love and attention.
You enjoy character customizationThe character creation systems inVeilguardare as comprehensive as they come.
If youre looking for a fantasy epic with less of a buy-in, we recommendBaldurs Gate 3.
Those looking for an open-world RPG will be better served byElden RingorDiablo 4.
Accessibility
Dragon Age: The Veilguardoffers a broad range of accessibility options.
The game offers filters for colorblind players with Protanopia, Deuteranopia, and Tritanopia.
Subtitle size and frequency can also be customized.
Visual effects such as motion blur, camera shake, and depth of field can also be adjusted.
Combat and exploration are highly customizable.
There are also sliders for the camera and aiming sensitivity.
I took the time to experiment with all three classes as well as a wide range of different builds.
I played the game on PS5 on a 48-inchLG C2 OLED4KTV with aDualsense Wireless Controller.
The game mostly ran smoothly, but I did occasionally notice input lag when in menus.
That said, the lag was rarely sufficient to meaningfully detract from the experience.
