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.

Baldur's Gate 3 Exec Praises Dragon Age: The Veilguard's Focused Identity

Michael Douse, known as @Cromwelp on X (formerly Twitter), expressed his enthusiastic approval of The Veilguard, revealing he played it secretly – even behind his backpack at the office! He emphasized the game's clear sense of self, a refreshing change from previous Dragon Age titles which sometimes struggled to balance narrative and gameplay. He likened it to a compelling, character-driven Netflix series, contrasting it with a lengthy, less focused show.

Douse also praised the innovative combat system, describing it as a brilliant blend of Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy. This fast-paced, combo-driven approach aligns The Veilguard more closely with the Mass Effect style than previous, more tactical Dragon Age games.

The game's pacing received further commendation; Douse noted its effective balance between driving narrative moments and opportunities for player experimentation with character classes and abilities. He even applauded BioWare's continued industry presence, contrasting it with instances of "moronic corporate greed."

The most significant praise focused on The Veilguard's distinct identity. Douse declared it "the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be," acknowledging that this might be a subtle critique of past installments. However, he clarified his appreciation, stating, "I’ll always be a [Dragon Age: Origins] guy, and this isn't that." While not replicating the nostalgia of Origins, The Veilguard's singular vision resonated strongly with Douse. His final verdict? "In a word, it’s fun!"

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

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

Character creation emphasizes meaningful choices. Players select from Mage, Rogue, and Warrior classes, each with specialized subclasses (like the Spellblade Mage). Personalization extends to the Rook's home, the Lighthouse, allowing players to decorate rooms reflecting their character's journey.

A developer quoted by Xbox Wire highlighted the impact of these choices: "As you do, Rook reminisces about their history before the events of the game...The result is a character who 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, awarding the game a 90, highlighted its embrace of faster-paced action RPG gameplay.