Dragon Age: The Veilguard has first shown what the gameplay of the role-playing game looks like. However, a crossbow steals the show from the combat system.
What a reveal! With Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the latest installment in the popular RPG series is set to be released in Fall 2024 after 10 years. The last main series game, Dragon Age: Inquisition, was released in November 2014.
For the first time, the gameplay of Dragon Age: The Veilguard was revealed in a 20-minute video. What we mainly saw was the combat system, which ultimately does not appear to be like a hero shooter – as some fans feared.
On Sunday, June 9, we already saw the reveal trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard during the Summer Game Fest 2024. It received a mixed response from much of the community for various reasons, and also MeinMMO author Linda lost her good mood.
What does the video show?
- We see the player character and the dialogue menu, which presents us with various response options during conversations
- We see some of the possible companions, including the dwarf Varric Tethras, Lace Harding, and Neve Gallus
- Fights against demons – we fight with swords and bows
- The combat movement – we can dodge with acrobatic jumps or perform jumping attacks
- Our companions support us in battle, while the enemies seem to focus on the player character
Here you can watch the gameplay reveal of Dragon Age: Veilguard:
“Okay, now it’s Dragon Age: Revenge for Bianca”
What’s the deal with the crossbow? In the gameplay clip, we see Varric, who acts alongside the player character and was also a companion in Dragon Age 2 and Inquisition. Varric has a crossbow named Bianca, to which he is very attached.
However, in the new gameplay reveal, an unforeseen event occurs: during a video sequence, the crossbow Bianca is destroyed by the elf Solas. Solas was also a potential companion in Dragon Age: Inquisition.
In the comments on YouTube, the destruction of Bianca is a much-discussed topic which, it seems, steals the show from the actual gameplay:
- “Mofo really betrayed me, stole my equipment, took my hand, and now he killed Bianca?”
- “Brave of them to pack the death of such an important character into a teaser. RIP Bianca”
- “Okay, now it’s Dragon Age: Revenge for Bianca”
Overall, the interaction between Solas and Varric is being heavily discussed. Some players believe based on the scene that Varric might die – possibly at the hands of Solas (via Reddit).
Are there also opinions on the gameplay? Of course! The shown gameplay is received quite well by the community. Many fans believe that the game looks better now than they feared from the reveal trailer.
A point of discussion remains the combat system. Some enjoy that it is action-packed, while others wish for more tactics:
- “Oh man, the combat system will definitely be controversial. But as someone whose least favorite part of Dragon Age has always been the combat system, I think it looks like a lot of fun.” – via Reddit
- “Please tell me there’s more tactical gameplay with your companions. I know the series has gotten more and more button-mashing with each title, but please tell me there’s still the option to give commands to your team.” – via YouTube
- “I had hoped to see a return to the CRPG combat systems of DA:O. This looks simplified, more like a ‘hack and slash’ game than an RPG. Hopefully, the combat system is deeper than it appears at first glance.” – via Reddit
However, some players also say that the combat system has never been a strength of Dragon Age in their opinion, and therefore they are not bothered that it appeared action-heavy and less tactical in the gameplay reveal video.
The reveal trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard was not received poorly by everyone. MeinMMO editor Benedict actually found the presentation good. He was particularly delighted to see familiar faces like Varric again: Everyone thinks the new trailer for Dragon Age 4 is terrible – I’m absolutely thrilled
