Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, Showers Praise on Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Michael Douse, known as @Cromwelp on Twitter (now X), has lauded BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a recent tweet, Douse revealed his clandestine playthrough (involving, he joked, playing hidden behind his backpack at the office), expressing overwhelmingly positive sentiments.

Douse highlighted The Veilguard's focused identity, a refreshing change from previous entries that sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He likened the game's experience to a "well-crafted, character-driven Netflix series" rather than a sprawling, drawn-out production.

The combat system also received high praise, described as a "giga-brain genius" blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy. This faster-paced, combo-driven combat marks a departure from the tactical style of earlier Dragon Age titles, aligning more closely with the Mass Effect series.

Douse emphasized The Veilguard's pacing and narrative structure, noting its ability to balance impactful story moments with opportunities for player experimentation. He even commended BioWare's continued industry presence amidst "moronic corporate greed."

Most notably, Douse called The Veilguard "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be," a statement potentially referencing past criticisms of the series' direction. While acknowledging his fondness for Dragon Age: Origins, he clarified that The Veilguard offers a distinct and enjoyable experience: "In a word, it’s fun!"

Deep Character Customization: True Player Agency

The Veilguard's custom protagonist, the Rook, allows for extensive character customization, as highlighted by Xbox Wire. Players have significant control over their Rook's background, skills, and alignment, shaping their journey from backstory to combat specialization. Choices even extend to personalizing the Rook's home, the Lighthouse.

A developer quoted by Xbox Wire emphasized the impact of these choices, stating that even seemingly minor decisions, like face tattoos, contribute to a deeply personalized character experience. This focus on consequential choices likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment.

With its October 31st release date approaching, BioWare will be hoping that players share Douse's enthusiasm for The Veilguard's refined identity and engaging gameplay. Our review awarded the game a 90, praising its shift towards a more fluid and engaging action RPG style. For a more detailed look at our perspective, please see our full review.