Title: Reviving the Glory of Dragon Age: A New Era Post-Veilguard's Fumble
Dragon Age: Veilguard, the latest offering from BioWare, hasn't exactly set the world on fire. Known for their groundbreaking RPGs like Mass Effect and Dragon Age: Origins, BioWare stumbled once again with Veilguard, and the game's underwhelming sales reflect the general disappointment among fans. But it doesn't have to be this way. By returning to their roots, BioWare can redeem themselves and create a Dragon Age title that truly resonates with their audience.
Here are a few areas where Veilguard fell short, as well as some potential solutions if BioWare gets another chance to tackle the series.
The Combat Could Use Some Depth
While the action-based combat in Veilguard was fun, it ultimately felt shallow due to the lack of tactical depth. Ditching team-based tactics from past titles made the combat feel flat by comparison. A longtime Dragon Age and RPG player like me missed the ability to switch between characters during combat and exploration. BioWare can strike a balance between the more action-based moment-to-moment combat and strategic depth by incorporating a pause-play option alongside the flashier melee and magic. By allowing the player to control a team of characters, the combat would feel more dynamic and engaging.
RPG Elements and Writing Were Lacking
The RPG elements in Veilguard are watered down, leading to a lack of immersion. The writing was uneven, with a focus on senseless jokes that felt out of place in a grimdark fantasy. BioWare can improve the RPG elements by incorporating more choices that lead to branching paths and meaningful consequences. The writing can be enhanced by focusing on character development, creating a living, breathing world, and letting players make genuine choices.
The Tone was All Over the Place
Veilguard's tone was too bright and upbeat, lacking the grimdark feel of past Dragon Age titles. BioWare was trying to appeal to a younger audience while still exploring mature themes. To strike the right balance, they can create a tone that's serious but not overly grim. The world can still be dark, but the writing and dialogue should feel more grounded and realistic.
The Aesthetic was Barely Recognizable
The game's visuals were too bright and colorful, detracting from the grimdark atmosphere. Bioware can create a more immersive experience by incorporating a darker color palette and tapping into the series' rich history of world-building. The character design should take inspiration from past Dragon Age titles, while remaining fresh and modern.
BioWare Can Learn from Past Mistakes
Veilguard's failures were numerous, but they can be addressed with a bit of introspection and a return to form. By listening to their audience, exploring darker themes, and prioritizing tactical depth in combat, Bioware can create a Dragon Age title that truly captures the imagination of RPG fans.
Sources:
[1] GameSpot. "Dragon Age: Veilguard - The Combat is Fun, but Not as Deep as Fans Want." Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/dragon-age-veilguard-the-combat-is-fun-but-not-as-d/1100-6508751/[2] IGN. "BioWare Needs to Go Back to Its Roots to Save Dragon Age." Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.ign.com/articles/bioware-needs-to-go-back-to-its-roots-to-save-dragon-age[3] Eurogamer. "Dragon Age: Veilguard Review - An Almost Awesome Game Ruined by Awful Writing." Accessed August 2, 2023. https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/202303-18-dragon-age-veilguard-review-an-almost-awesome-game-ruined-by-awful-writing
- In several reviews of Dragon Age: Veilguard, critics noted the lack of tactical depth in the combat, highlighting how it pales in comparison to previous Dragon Age games.
- Despite the underperformance of Dragon Age: Veilguard, many fans are eagerly anticipating the next installment in the series, hoping that BioWare will learn from their mistakes and deliver a truly outstanding RPG.
- When analyzing the disappointing sales of Dragon Age: Veilguard, some critics argue that BioWare may have veered too far from their roots in terms of gameplay and storytelling, losing touch with their dedicated fanbase.
- With regards to Dragon Age: Veilguard, the game's overall tone was criticized as being too bright and upbeat, which deviated from the dark and gritty tone established in its predecessors, leaving some players feeling disconnected.
- As the release of the upcoming RPGs approaches, Dragon Age: Veilguard's disappointing performance serves as a reminder for BioWare to address the issues raised by players and critics, ensuring that their future titles are not only fun but also deeply engaging and meaningful to their audience.
