Dragon Age: The Veilguard “Truly Knows What it Wants to Be” Praises BG3 Exec

Larian Studios' Publishing Director, Michael Douse, recently lauded Dragon Age: The Veilguard, offering high praise for BioWare's latest action RPG. This article delves into his assessment and highlights key features.

Larian Studios' Publishing Chief Gives Dragon Age: The Veilguard Rave Review

Baldur’s Gate 3 Exec Calls it a Dragon Age Game That "Truly Knows What It Wants to Be"

Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), the publishing director at Larian Studios (developers of Baldur's Gate 3), expressed enthusiastic approval for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. He revealed playing it "in complete secrecy," even jokingly admitting to playing behind his backpack at work.

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 epic.

The combat system also received significant praise, described as a "brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy." This innovative approach brings The Veilguard closer to the action-oriented style of BioWare's Mass Effect series, offering fast-paced, combo-driven battles, a departure from the slower, more tactical combat of earlier Dragon Age games.

Douse praised the game's pacing, noting its "strong sense of momentum" and ability to balance impactful narrative moments with opportunities for player experimentation. He even commended BioWare's continued industry presence, contrasting it with "shortsighted corporate greed."

The most striking observation was Douse's assertion that The Veilguard is "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be." While this might seem critical of past entries, Douse clarified, stating, "I'll always be a [Dragon Age: Origins] guy, and this isn't that." He acknowledged that it lacks the nostalgic charm of Origins but respects its distinct vision. In his words, "It's fun!"

Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Rook Character Offers "True Player Agency"

Dragon Age: The Veilguard aims for deep player immersion through the Rook, a highly customizable protagonist. According to Xbox Wire, players have extensive control over the Rook's background, skills, and alignment. The Rook's mission: assembling a party to confront two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.

Character creation emphasizes meaningful choices, impacting everything from backstory to combat specialization. Classes include Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for Mages). Customization even extends to the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, allowing players to personalize the space to reflect their character's journey.

"As you play, Rook reflects on their past," a developer told Xbox Wire. "This allowed me to define my Rook more deeply—even seemingly minor choices, like face tattoos. The result is a character that truly feels like mine."

This focus on impactful 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 awarded The Veilguard a 90, praising its embrace of a faster-paced action RPG style, resulting in a more fluid and engaging experience than its predecessors. For a complete review, see the link below.