After nearly ten years in development, BioWare finally unveiled their latest offering, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, last year. This eagerly anticipated addition to the acclaimed Dragon Age series sparked quite the debate among gamers and critics alike. Following a series of underwhelming releases, including Anthem and Mass Effect: Andromeda, fans were eager to see BioWare reclaim its status as a leader in the RPG genre with The Veilguard. Unfortunately, while critics gave it more favorable reviews than BioWare’s recent titles, players didn’t seem as impressed.
The Veilguard’s reception on Steam, where it stands with a “Mixed” score of 69%, indicates a lukewarm response from the gaming community, especially when compared to past Dragon Age entries. To add to its challenges, publisher EA revealed that the game sold 1.5 million copies, which was only half of what they had anticipated. Criticisms ranged from limited player choices to the quality of its storytelling. Perhaps its most significant hurdle was its lack of accessibility for newcomers—a problem not shared by RPG counterparts like Avowed and The Elder Scrolls 6.
Both Dragon Age: The Veilguard and its contemporaries, Avowed and The Elder Scrolls 6, mark returns for franchises that have been dormant for years. The Veilguard was released nearly ten years after its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition. Avowed emerged about seven years after the previous Pillars of Eternity game, and while The Elder Scrolls 6 is still on the horizon, it’s set to arrive more than 14 years after Skyrim.
A common challenge for these revived series is ensuring that they’re welcoming to new audiences. Avowed seems to have handled this well—it exists in the same universe as Pillars of Eternity but doesn’t directly tie into its narrative, allowing first-time players to jump in without prior knowledge. The game even offers an in-game glossary to help players dive into the lore as needed. Although specifics about The Elder Scrolls 6 are scarce, it’s expected to follow suit with a standalone story, maintaining the series’ tradition of accessibility.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, on the other hand, leans heavily on its predecessors, particularly Dragon Age: Inquisition, continuing the narrative a decade later. While newcomers can technically engage with the game without having played the earlier episodes, the storyline resonates much more with those familiar with Inquisition. The lack of an in-game glossary similar to Avowed and the fact that it isn’t a standalone story may have put off potential new fans, impacting its success.
Despite these hurdles, Dragon Age: The Veilguard invites players into the visually captivating and complex world of Thedas. This realm of harsh wilderness, intricate dungeons, and bustling cities is once again under threat, and it’s up to the new protagonist, Rook, to lead a band of companions and take on the resurgent ancient gods endangering the world. Released under the banner of Electronic Arts, this mature-rated game promises an engaging narrative filled with blood, magic, and moral quandaries, leaving players to forge their path and try to tip the scales against formidable odds.
