The first reviews for the new Dragon Age: The Veilguard have been published, and particularly the specialist press paints an overwhelmingly positive picture. Despite some criticisms, there are no negative reviews on Metacritic. However, there are dissenting opinions: from streamers and YouTubers, for example. Even now, the game is causing controversies, and this will increase, as MeinMMO editor Benedict Grothaus is sure.
This is how The Veilguard is received by the press:
- The international press praises the new Dragon Age. On Metacritic, the RPG scores an impressive 84 out of 100 points, just behind Inquisition and Origins.
- Our colleagues from GameStar, for example, give 86 points in their detailed review. The team from GamePro even gives 92 points.
- Overall, the ratings range from the rather mixed 60s to the top score of 100 points.
What the press voices say: The general consensus is that particularly the storytelling, gameplay, and the seven different companions are the greatest strengths of The Veilguard. GameStar states:
The personal quests of the companions in The Veilguard are so extensive that the climax of each feels like its own little finale and can emotionally engage me like that.
The technical condition is excellent, with hardly any bugs. The visuals are also well received: ray tracing, the environment, and especially the hair are frequently mentioned. Criticism, however, is directed at the rather choppy facial animations and the lack of consequences from the predecessors, as well as the fact that your character Rook has only a somewhat malleable personality.
In our own review of The Veilguard on MeinMMO, we share a similar opinion, albeit with somewhat different criticisms. The game is excellent for new players, but veterans will be irritated by some details. Overall, we also recommend the RPG.
Contradictory statements unsettle fans
On Reddit, there are already plenty of threads in both directions, for and against Veilguard. One user summarizes the impressions: “The reactions to the reviews are as chaotic as I should have expected.” (via Reddit)
A prominent example that is currently resonating in the community is the YouTuber Skill Up, who is known among gamers as an objective critic. He emphasizes that his review is his own opinion and that this should be taken into account in the assessment. In his video, he still criticizes that:
- decisions have little significance
- Romances feel artificial
- the game feels somewhat “softened”, as it lacks a darker direction
- combat is boring because enemies are simply “bullet sponges”
- puzzles do not present a challenge
So far, fans only have the option to form an opinion secondhand, yet there are already conflicts and discussions – particularly around the topics of non-binary characters (via Reddit), character development, and especially visuals.
Depending on the thread, the discussion is either factually limited to the content of the game or revolves generally around meta-themes that actually have nothing to do with The Veilguard. Users on Reddit express some annoyance at the back and forth:
I have now seen everything from
ReadyMind on RedditThis is the best BioWare game of all time and my game of the yeartothe game is a huge disappointment. We will probably have to play it ourselves to know where it will land for us.
The discussions and the strong opinions in both directions will become even more intense with the release on October 31.
The Veilguard forges new paths and the decision will explode
With The Veilguard, BioWare has decided to try new things. This has happened in every Dragon Age so far, but the latest installment stands out in two respects.
One is that The Veilguard is aimed much more at new players. The wishes of old fans are only somewhat accommodated, which is already causing friction in the reviews. The loyal fan base, which has been waiting for a new installment for 10 years, will get stuck on details, even if the game might otherwise be good – details that new players won’t even notice.
The second is inclusion. The Veilguard emphasizes gender identities and uses, at least in German, gendered text in many places. Particularly the neopronouns hen/hem
, which the game uses, are never explained and are assumed to be known.
BioWare has always taken a progressive stance in games, such as with homosexual couples in earlier games long before others, but The Veilguard goes a step further here.
The topics of sexual orientation, transgender identity, and personal identity have been contentious issues among gamers for years. Specifically, 2024 has brought the focus back to the discussion, when the huge dispute over the consulting firm Sweet Baby Inc arose.
Press and players evaluate games differently
Thus, the new Dragon Age is the perfect target for a discussion about precisely this issue, and for players, the topic will be significantly more relevant than for journalists. We cannot say how exactly the features are weighted among the individual sites. However, it becomes clear from our own work and from existing reviews that the ratings incorporate many aspects, including:
- Graphics and performance
- Gameplay and story
- Decision-making freedom
- Loot and crafting
What is mentioned almost nowhere or does not noticeably influence the ratings is inclusive language – which is less relevant in English anyway. Additionally, aspects like graphic style are purely personal preferences that can affect everyone differently.
The weighting of different features frequently differs significantly between the press and gamers, and this will have a tremendous impact on The Veilguard. This can be demonstrated by just a few examples from recent history:
- Diablo 4 has a press rating of 86 points on Metacritic, while the user score is a measly 2.4 out of 10. Meanwhile, Diablo 4 is considered quite good among fans today.
- The direct predecessor of The Veilguard, Dragon Age: Inquisition, received 85 points from the press, but players only gave it a score of 6.1 (via Metacritic).
- On the other hand, for example, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky received just 54 points from journalists for the Nintendo DS, while players rated the game at 9.0 (via Metacritic).
The Veilguard will experience a similar divide, as certain features will carry more or less weight but potentially create an emotional impact. How important each aspect of the new Dragon Age is to you, you must decide for yourself. However, some critics have long foreseen the discussion: Everyone loves the new Dragon Age, but two opinion leaders criticize: “More woke than you think”
