Dragon Age: The Veilguard Review

As a long-time fan of Dragon Age, I’ve journeyed through Ferelden’s Blight, the political intrigue of Kirkwall, and the open-world splendor of Orlais with the Inquisition. Since Dragon Age: Inquisition released in 2014, I, like many others, have eagerly awaited the next chapter in this beloved series. When BioWare announced Dreadwolf, my anticipation hit its peak, only to be tempered by reports of delays and a tumultuous development cycle. So when the renamed Dragon Age: The Veilguard finally landed, I was equal parts anxious and excited. Thankfully, the game not only meets expectations but, in many ways, surpasses them. It’s a triumphant return to Thedas that balances new gameplay innovations with the series’ beloved storytelling and character-driven drama.

In The Veilguard, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The game picks up in a post-Inquisition Thedas, where the destruction of the Veil—the mystical barrier separating the physical world from the Fade—has thrown the continent into chaos. Magic seeps into everyday life, demons roam freely, and entire nations teeter on the brink of collapse.

You play as Rook, a mercenary with a mysterious past who finds themselves entangled in a plot to save the world (of course). Your journey begins humbly, with a small-scale job to protect a town under siege by magical anomalies and uncover the location of Solas, but it quickly spirals into an epic quest involving ancient secrets, morally grey choices, and a personal connection to the Veil’s destruction. As always with Dragon Age, there’s more than one way to solve a problem, and every decision you make has weight and consequences.

While I won’t spoil any specifics, I will say that The Veilguard offers a story rich with twists, heartfelt character moments, and plenty of callbacks to previous games. Long-time fans will find plenty of payoff, but newcomers can still enjoy the game without feeling lost, thanks to an excellent codex system and dialogue that subtly fills in the gaps.

Combat in The Veilguard feels like the biggest departure from earlier entries, and it’s a welcome evolution. Gone is the more rigid, tactical pause-heavy system Origins; in its place is a hybrid approach that combines real-time action with strategic depth. Rook’s abilities are mapped to a skill wheel that allows for seamless execution, and while you can’t control your companions directly this time around, their AI is smart enough to complement your strategy effectively.

The revamped skill tree deserves special mention. It offers deep customization, allowing you to shape Rook into the kind of hero you want to play. There are multiple subclasses to unlock, each with unique abilities and playstyles. Whether you want to specialize as a mage, a swift and lethal rogue, or a hulking two-handed warrior, the game gives you the tools to do so. I opted for a spellblade build, offering a magic focussed approach but with the option to get up close and personal with enemies, and found the combat both satisfying and challenging, especially during boss encounters. Speaking of which…

The bosses in The Veilguard are some of the most well-designed and challenging encounters in the series. Each fight feels distinct, requiring you to adapt your strategy and make full use of your skills. Some bosses are massive, almost puzzle-like battles where positioning and timing are key, while others are fast-paced duels that test your reflexes and understanding of mechanics. One fight against a Blighted Dragon had me on the edge of my seat for nearly an hour, cycling through just about every potion and ability I had while trying to stay alive. It’s a testament to the game’s design that these fights feel fair yet punishing.

No Dragon Age game is complete without its cast of companions, and The Veilguard delivers one of the strongest lineups yet. Initially, some characters feel like familiar fantasy archetypes—a stoic melee focused warrior, a mischievous mage, a dwarf with a bit of an attitude—but as you spend time with them, their backstories and personalities come to life in surprising and deeply human ways. The voice acting is uniformly excellent, breathing life into every member of the party and making your bonds with them feel genuine. Banter between characters as you explore is a highlight, adding levity and warmth to the darker narrative.

That said, one area for improvement is the lack of opportunities to interact with companions on your own terms. While key story beats unlock meaningful conversations, I often wished I could initiate casual chats or check in with them more freely, a feature that some older BioWare games handled better.

From snow-capped mountains, forests to sprawling deserts, The Veilguard offers some of the most stunning environments in the series. Each region is beautifully rendered, with lush landscapes and intricate dungeons that practically beg to be explored. What I appreciated most was the variety—the game takes you through haunted forests, bustling cities, lush jungle-like areas, and more, each with its own distinct atmosphere and challenges.

Exploration feels rewarding thanks to the game’s attention to detail. Hidden lore, secret passages, and environmental puzzles are scattered throughout, encouraging you to stray off the beaten path. The biomes aren’t just pretty; they’re brimming with life, from NPCs going about their daily routines to wildlife that reacts dynamically to your presence. On a PS5, the visuals pop in 4K, with smooth performance and minimal loading times throughout.

BioWare’s trademark choice-and-consequence system is alive and well in The Veilguard. Dialogue options aren’t just for flavor—they shape your relationships, your reputation, and even the world around you. What’s more, your choice of race, class, and background for Rook affects how NPCs interact with you. As an elven mage, I often encountered prejudice or skepticism, which added a layer of immersion to my playthrough.

The decisions you make have real weight, often leading to morally ambiguous outcomes. In one mission, I had to choose between saving a village from an attack or favouring protecting another village instead. Both options felt important, but I couldn’t do both, and the fallout from my choice lingered throughout the game. It’s these moments of tough decision-making that make The Veilguard feel like a true role-playing experience.

While The Veilguard excels in many areas, it isn’t without flaws. Aside from the limited companion interactions I mentioned earlier, the game also suffers from a lack of NPC engagement in its towns and cities. The cities thrive with life, but many characters are static and non-interactable, which detracts from the immersion in what is otherwise a vibrant world. 

It also becomes apparent in the late game that not all classes have been designed equally. Doing some testing on an additional playthrough I found that while my mage run was very enjoyable for how I chose to play the game and structure my party, a run with a warrior started out quite enjoyable but didn’t offer the same ‘wow’ with its late game skills. Thankfully this can be somewhat managed by the ability to be able to re-spec your character skills at any time to try out the different subclasses. 

Final Thoughts

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a testament to BioWare’s resilience and creativity. Despite a troubled development cycle, the game emerges as a worthy successor to the series, combining breathtaking visuals, engaging combat, and a story that rewards both new players and longtime fans. Its imperfections are easily outweighed by its strengths, making it a must-play for RPG enthusiasts.

For me, returning to Thedas after nearly a decade felt like coming home, and The Veilguard reminded me why I fell in love with this world in the first place. Whether you’re here for the rich lore, the unforgettable characters, or the thrill of exploring a magical world on the brink of ruin, The Veilguard delivers.

If you want to see more content like this and never miss one of our frequent gaming and anime giveaways come and Follow Ani-Game on Twitter.