The Veilguard Could Never Be Origins, and That’s Good -

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is quite different from Dragon Age: Origins. While Origins had a dark, serious tone with tough choices and harsh outcomes, Veilguard takes a much lighter and more friendly approach. The story still has fantasy elements and conflict but skips the complicated moral dilemmas and deep darkness that were a big part of Origins. Additionally, interactions between characters, especially companions, don’t have the same depth or potential for serious conflict as in the original game.

[Content Warning: This article includes brief references to sexual assault in a game narrative.]This change shows a trend in the gaming industry where publishers want to appeal to more players, which can mean losing some of the darker and unique elements from the Dragon Age. As a result, the game feels quite different in terms of its mood and themes. Some long-time fans may feel disconnected from what they loved about the series, but the series has attracted new players who likely wouldn’t enjoy the grittier parts of the original. Although it changes the core identity established by the first Dragon Age game, it arguably makes the series more accessible.

The Darkness That DA:O Embraced

It Was A Different Time

Dragon Age: Origins, released in 2009, made a strong mark in the fantasy RPG genre by embracing darker themes. Unlike Dragon Age: The Veilguard, which clearly defines good and evil, Origins explored the complicated moral choices people face. The main character, the Warden, isn’t a typical hero but someone thrown into tough situations who must make hard decisions with serious consequences. The game openly shows harsh realities like violence, political games, and tough topics such as slavery, sexual assault, and murder. These elements are crucial to the story and influence how players experience the game.

A glowing character in front of a swamp in Dragon Age: The Veilguard

All Dragon Age: The Veilguard Explorable Regions, Ranked

There are eight explorable regions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Some are more fun to explore as Rook and their party than others.

Right from the start, depending on the origin story you choose, the game presents you with grim situations. For example, the story of a betrayed human noble, a city elf whose cousin is sexually assaulted, and a dwarf sent to die by their own family all set a dark tone for the game. The game faced the harsh realities of its world and showed that players had to make tough decisions that could have big consequences.

The companions weren’t just friends; they had complicated backgrounds and motives, sometimes leading to harsh disagreements. Ferelden wasn’t a typical fantasy land; it was marked by conflict, discrimination, and sadness, where survival often requires making hard, sometimes morally tricky choices. This approach to serious themes and an uncomfortable world was a key part of what made Origins so appealing, and it’s what some fans feel is missing in the later games.

Shifting Sands Of Video Game Culture

Times Have Changed

The world of video games has changed a lot since Dragon Age: Origins came out in 2009. Back then, darker and more niche games could find their audience more easily. Nowadays, the industry focuses on reaching as many players as possible, which likely affected how Dragon Age: The Veilguard was developed. While this push for inclusivity is important, it has also changed how major games are made.

To attract a diverse audience, game developers often have to make compromises. Features that used to be key to a game, like complex moral dilemmas, difficult themes, and intense content, are often toned down or removed to avoid potentially upsetting anyone. Dragon Age: The Veilguard is a great example of this. This doesn’t mean the developers lack ambition; they’re just trying to minimize financial risks. Creating something too controversial can be risky, so there’s a stronger focus on making games accessible and appealing to everyone.

Taash and the player looking angry in front of a portal in Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Cutting Out The Keep Was A Mistake That Made Returning Characters Weaker & Left Others Missing Entirely

Dragon Age: The Veilguard omits the Keep and suffers for it. This tool allowed custom worlds in Dragon Age Inquisition and made Thedas feel unique.

While wanting to reach a broader audience isn’t all bad, it can limit creativity and lead to more similar experiences across different games. The unique and challenging aspects that once defined certain genres may be lost in this quest for wide appeal. In the end, games are made primarily for profit, and the desire to attract more players shapes the kind of stories and experiences studios choose to create. The Veilguard may not make you question your morality, but that means it won’t make you uncomfortable.

The New Guardians Of Dark Fantasy

The Old Guard Is Gone

While big game companies like EA struggle to balance making games for a wide audience and including serious themes, a new wave of independent developers is stepping up. These smaller studios are willing to dive into the darker aspects of fantasy games. Unlike larger companies, they don’t face the same pressure to play it safe, which allows them to explore deeper storylines and tough subjects. They can create games that appeal to more mature players than Dragon Age: The Veilguard‘s audience.

Davrin and Lucanis from Dragon Age: The Veilguard.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Live Service Roots Are Obvious With Paper Thin Party Dynamics

Companions in Dragon Age: The Veilguard get along like a big family, which is in stark contrast to previous games that had great inter-party conflict.

One standout is Larian Studios, known for its successful Divinity series and the recent Baldur’s Gate 3. These games are praised for their rich character development and difficult choices that can significantly affect the story, creating immersive worlds that encourage players to think differently. They highlight a market for games that tackle the darker side of human nature and fantasy without losing depth in storytelling or player choice.

For those who miss this kind of gameplay, there are still some
great RPGs to play
in this particular vein.

Other independent developers are also finding success by creating games (like Warhammer 40,000: Rogue Trader) with complex plots and tough moral decisions, often set in grim environments that contrast with the cleaner, more polished worlds found in mainstream titles. This success confirms a real demand for darker, more mature RPGs, with an audience ready to engage with intricate stories and difficult situations.

These smaller developers are changing the fantasy RPG landscape, offering a fresh alternative to the less mature approach big publishers must take. This trend could lead to a significant shift in the gaming industry, recognizing the importance of complex narratives and players’ willingness to take on challenging experiences that may not be family-friendly.

The Ghost Of Dragon Age Past

It Takes A Leader To Lead

The absence of key creative people from the original Dragon Age team highlights the differences between Origins and The Veilguard. While the idea that “one person doesn’t make a game” holds water, the reality is more complex. A strong creative vision, even in a team setting, plays a huge role in guiding a project’s overall direction and feel.

This can be seen in many famous games; for instance, Hideo Kojima’s unique ideas were crucial for creating the first Metal Gear, even with pressures from Konami to make a war shooter. Similarly, Sid Meier’s influence was key in developing Civilization, even when his publisher wanted more airplane simulators. Notch, the creative mind behind Minecraft, also stood out from the typical trends at King, leading to a groundbreaking game that shattered the usual mold. While one person cannot make a game, one person can make it the game it becomes.

Dragon Age The Veilguard Harding and other character from reveal trailer

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Downgrades One Inquisition Character

While the gameplay and mechanics of Dragon Age: The Veilguard have been refined, characters you can interact with may leave something to be desired.

The departure of key members from the original Dragon Age team has left a gap that Bioware struggled to fill. The lack of the central creative vision that shaped the dark and morally complex world of Origins is noticeable. Although the new team has talent and commitment, it’s not the same creative spirit that created the unique atmosphere of the original game. This isn’t to downplay the current team’s efforts, but it’s important to recognize how much a core creative vision can influence a project’s identity and tone.

The mix of dark fantasy, tough moral choices, and realistic elements that characterized Origins came from a specific group of people and a particular time. Expecting the same vision in a new game, especially with a different team and a changed creative and market environment, is unrealistic and sets players up for disappointment. The memory of Dragon Age’s original experience may be strong, but that’s not what players will get from Bioware again.

It’s a different team and a different time. It’s easy to see that the game isn’t as mature or complex as before, but that doesn’t make it bad. Some may say Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the Super Weenie Hut Jr’s to Dragon Age: Origins‘ Salty Spitoon, but it’s a fun experience nonetheless.