Veilguard has a few strengths and many weaknesses. Hans Zimmer’s soundtrack is a highlight, sometimes sounding generic but in other moments reaching a grandiose quality that enhances the game’s atmosphere and matches his style. Some of the new lore additions are well done and build on the established world, bringing intriguing layers to certain parts of the universe.
Broadly, the game looks gorgeous at first glance. Yet, a closer examination reveals that many textures are flat and haven't been upgraded since Inquisition, which detracts from the overall visual experience.
Unfortunately, the positives are very much undercut by a series of missteps. The shop system is frustratingly basic, lacking even the option to compare shop items with currently equipped gear, making it hard to make informed choices. Returning characters feel poorly reimagined, often straying from their original designs.
The lore itself is frequently mishandled in an insulting manner. Contradictions undermine the narrative and the history built in previous games, essentially spitting on what fans have come to know and love. Characters frequently make statements that directly contradict established lore, confusing players about the consistency of the world they’re supposed to immerse themselves in. This not only detracts from the overall experience but also disrespects the emotional investment players have made in the series.
Most NPCs are inexplicably miscast in terms of accent and culture, e.g. Dalish elves, traditionally secluded from society and often depicted as insular and stubborn, should have Brittonic or Gaelic accents (Welsh, Scottish, Irish), while city elves should reflect the accents of their home cities, like Ferelden’s English tones or Orlais’ French inflexions. Instead, the voice choices feel random, breaking the cultural depth and immersion.
The story is often poorly thought out. For example, breaking someone out of prison after a year of confinement coincidentally happens the day the player arrives. Despite enduring torture and experimentation, he's inexplicably unscathed, maintaining a quippy and positive demeanour. Adding to the implausibility, he somehow managed to learn to cook while imprisoned, which stretches credibility.
The dialogue often feels cringeworthy and infantile, reminiscent of teenage shows on Disney Channel or films from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that aim to teach young audiences about the importance of friendship and acceptance. Companions constantly undermine player agency with overly obvious hints, and combat is overloaded with visual cues and tutorial pop-ups, as well as companion instructions that tell you what to do and what is happening all of the time.
It feels like the Seniors in Bioware and EA tried to cast a wide net, aiming to appeal to the broadest audience possible. This approach results in a game that lacks focus, trying to excel at many things but ultimately failing to deliver on any single aspect. The lack of a clear, cohesive direction leaves Veilguard feeling scattered and unsatisfying, as it spreads itself too thin to achieve true greatness in any area.
Despite the overall shortcomings, the game's quality notably improves past the in-game point of no return. The ending ramps up the script, dialogue, voice acting, and pacing, making it highly engaging. However, this improvement is too little, too late, and doesn’t redeem the game enough to outweigh its numerous flaws. It feels more like a glimpse of what could have been rather than a saving grace.
It seems that Bioware and EA are using the LGBT community as a shield against criticism. Any critique of the game, regardless of its nature, is often dismissed as being rooted in prejudice against its LGBT elements. This tactic is not only disingenuous but also unfair to the LGBT community, who deserve better representation and respect. It’s crucial to separate genuine criticism of the game’s flaws from any form of bigotry, and to acknowledge that the community deserves more than being used as a deflection tool.
With a cluttered UI filled with excessive glow and sparkle, Veilguard ultimately fails to deliver the depth and immersive quality fans expect from Dragon Age. For these reasons, I would rate it a 5/10.
