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, praising its focused design and engaging gameplay. Let's delve into his insightful comments on this newly released action RPG.

Larian Studios' Publishing Chief Showers Praise on Dragon Age: The Veilguard

"A Dragon Age Game That Finally Knows Itself," Says Baldur's Gate 3 Executive

Michael Douse (@Cromwelp on X), the publishing director at Larian Studios (developers of Baldur's Gate 3), expressed enthusiastic praise for BioWare's latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Douse shared his positive experience on Twitter, revealing he played it "in complete secrecy"—a feat he humorously attributed to playing hidden behind his backpack at the office.

Douse highlighted The Veilguard's clear sense of identity, stating it "truly knows what it wants to be." This focused approach, he suggested, is a welcome change from previous Dragon Age titles which 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.

Douse also championed the game's innovative combat system, describing it as a "brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy." This dynamic approach, he believes, brings The Veilguard closer to the fast-paced action of BioWare's Mass Effect series, allowing for fluid attack combinations and powerful effects, a departure from the more tactical combat of earlier Dragon Age installments.

Douse praised The Veilguard's pacing, noting its "strong sense of momentum" and its ability to balance impactful narrative moments with opportunities for players to experiment with their character builds and abilities. This represents a departure from the more traditional RPG structure of its predecessors. His commendation extended to BioWare's continued presence in the industry, which he sees as vital in the face of "corporate greed."

The most significant point Douse made was The Veilguard's newfound self-awareness. He called it "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be," a statement that, while potentially critical of earlier entries, was clarified by Douse: "I'll always love Dragon Age: Origins, and this isn't that." While not replicating the nostalgic charm of Origins, The Veilguard's distinct vision resonated strongly with Douse. "In short, it's fun!" he concluded.

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

Dragon Age: The Veilguard aims for deep character immersion through the Rook, a highly customizable protagonist. As highlighted by Xbox Wire, players have extensive control over the Rook's background, skills, and moral alignment. Players take on the role of the Rook, tasked with assembling a party to confront two ancient Elven gods threatening Thedas.

Character creation in The Veilguard prioritizes player agency, ensuring choices—from backstory to combat specialization—impact the gameplay experience. Players choose from classes like Mage, Rogue, and Warrior, each with unique specializations (e.g., Spellblade for mages). Even the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, can be personalized, reflecting their journey.

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

This focus on detail likely contributed to Douse's positive assessment, particularly the game's emphasis on meaningful player choices. With The Veilguard's release on October 31st, BioWare hopes players share Douse's enthusiasm.

Our review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard noted its embrace of "faster-paced action RPG gameplay," offering "a more fluid and engaging experience than its predecessors." For our full review and 90 score, see the link below!