Story & Dialogue: Juvenile Writing and Cringe-Worthy Exchanges
Dragon Age Veilguard’s story and dialogue are a far cry from the engaging narratives of previous entries. The writing feels juvenile, with party members spouting lines like “They go hard” and “Eat shit, this is not your land.” These exchanges are jarring, pulling you out of the experience and making the game feel like a poorly-written fanfiction rather than a AAA title.
Quests are linear and uninspired, failing to make the player feel like they’re making meaningful choices or shaping the world. The lack of depth in character interactions and the overall narrative is a massive disappointment for fans of the franchise.
Combat: Shallow, Repetitive, and Unrewarding
Veilguard’s combat system is a shallow imitation of Mass Effect Andromeda’s, relying on ability spam and dodge-rolling to whittle down enemy health bars. The frantic pacing masks the lack of depth, and the skill tree offers little in terms of meaningful customization or specialization.
The game’s healing mechanic, which involves shooting green urns scattered throughout levels, feels like a lazy mobile game feature rather than a well-thought-out system. Boss fights are tedious, with artificially inflated health pools that turn encounters into wars of attrition.
Level Design: Linear, Predictable, and Gimmicky
Veilguard’s levels are a series of corridors punctuated by repetitive puzzles and obstacles. Players will find themselves shooting debris, blight pods, and crystals to progress, with little variation or challenge. The inclusion of jump puzzles feels pointless, as the game’s forgiving geometry allows players to bypass them entirely.
Loot is underwhelming and easily obtained, with no incentive to explore off the beaten path. The sense of discovery and reward that made previous Dragon Age games so compelling is completely absent in Veilguard.
Conclusion: A Disappointing Departure from the Franchise
Dragon Age Veilguard is a massive letdown for fans of the series, abandoning the depth, complexity, and engaging storytelling that defined previous entries. The game’s shallow combat, juvenile writing, and uninspired level design make it a chore to play, and the forced inclusion of contemporary social politics feels out of place in the Dragon Age universe.
As a longtime fan of the franchise, it pains me to say that Dragon Age Veilguard is a 4/10 at best. I cannot recommend this game, and I sincerely hope that Bioware course-corrects for future installments, returning to the elements that made Dragon Age great in the first place.
