Dragon Age: Veilguard (PS5) review: A slow burn but Bioware's story-telling prowess is on show

Note: This review was first published on 16 November 2024.

Returning to Thedas in Dragon Age: The Veilguard felt both nostalgic and surprisingly new. Despite Bioware's recent ups and downs, there is an undeniable sincerity to the sequel to 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. It has its missteps – awkward pacing and a few clunky moments – but there's also a clear effort to make something heartfelt. More than 40 hours in, I found myself caring about my character and the companions and places that made this adventure meaningful.

To be clear, Veilguard isn’t a traditional RPG, and it isn’t trying to be. It lies somewhere between an action-adventure game with lots of chat and a classic Bioware story. The choices feel less about reshaping Thedas and more about defining your relationships, whether you support a friend or respond with a bit of sass. This limited scope works well in focusing the game on personal connections, but it won’t scratch the itch for those wanting sweeping, world-changing decisions (like the excellent Baldur’s Gate 3).

You play as Rook, an earnest and brave hero. At first, I thought the game might let me push Rook into something darker or something more unexpected. Early decisions seemed to hint at that. But the promised depth wasn't there, and those choices ended up being superficial. Still, I found myself growing attached to Rook as the game progressed. He’s a classic Bioware hero – someone who is easy to root for, competent, and ultimately kind.

The narrative doesn’t really hit its stride until about eight hours in, which is a slow burn and not everyone will be on board for that. In those early hours, Veilguard feels a bit too ethereal and distant. The player base is an eerie lighthouse suspended in a void, and a stark contrast to Inquisition’s solid and medieval Skyhold. This surreal setting left me feeling detached, lacking the grit and texture that normally brings Thedas to life. I found myself craving something more grounded, gritty even. Like a noisy tavern, a cramped room with the scent of stale ale, or even just a rat-infested basement needing clearing out. Something to remind me that Thedas isn’t just about high fantasy but also a place of everyday grit and struggle.

Then there’s the problem of…everyone looking just maddeningly “polished” in a world battered by magic and conflict – perfect teeth, immaculate skin. It’s hard to reconcile this with the tough lives they’re supposed to lead. When the game finally shows you the grittier side, such as the blighted fields and the desperate captives, the contrast is jarring. The rest of the game’s art direction is beautifully distinct, with its nods to deco fantasy in the architecture and rich arcane illustrations that add visceral texture to the world. It’s just a shame the character models don’t match that detail.

Still, the environments in Veilguard are a joy to the eyes. There’s a lot of care in the details, from bottles of spirits lining the bars to the chandeliers in forgotten tombs. The consistent beauty of the art design often overshadows some of the game's weaker elements, however. Combat, for example, is a mixed bag and while it can be thrilling, the visuals often feel messy, with too many effects and prompts crowding the screen. The thrill of parrying or timing a perfect dodge gets lost in a sea of elemental explosions, on-screen warnings, and layers of glowing effects.

Midway through, the combat finds its sweet spot, but that appeal eventually fades too. I found myself lowering enemy health often just to get through battles faster. Not because they were tough, but because they grew repetitive. For a game as lengthy as Veilguard, that’s a notable flaw. It’s not that combat isn’t enjoyable; it’s just more suited for a shorter, more intense experience than a sprawling RPG epic.

Then there’s also the companions. In Veilguard, they aren’t the instantly iconic characters from Dragon Age past, and early on, they can feel a bit flat. But they do grow on me. Their stories slowly unfold, and some of the later questlines offer real payoffs, and those are the moments where Bioware reminds you they know how to pull at your emotions. The finale is suitably epic, drawing from everything you’ve built with your companions and factions. It feels earned, even if getting there means enduring a lot of repetitive combat.

Veilguard’s strengths lie in its quieter, more thoughtful moments – the scenes where Rook and the team sit together, talking about fears, hopes, or their pasts. It’s here, rather than in the battles or even the main plot, that the game finds its heart. There’s genuine warmth in these relationships, even if they don’t have the depth of Bioware’s earlier works. By the end, I truly felt like I was part of a team, and that we were saving each other as much as we were saving Thedas.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not redefine the series, but it’s clearly made with sincerity and care. It struggles with its pacing, visual inconsistencies, and an often clumsy approach to role-playing mechanics, but beneath all that, it’s a journey worth taking. It’s about standing with your friends, making choices that matter to them, and perhaps making peace with the imperfections along the way. Bioware’s latest may not hit every mark, but it’s clear the people behind it cared – and that makes all the difference.

Dragon Age: Veilguard is now available on PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

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