<body><div><figure><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=3JDVWC_0wPoYfZ500" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=3JDVWC_0wPoYfZ500" width="1920" height="1080" ></figure>Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian Studios—the team behind the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3—recently shared his enthusiastic impressions of BioWare’s latest release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a post to X, Douse expressed that the game delivers a compelling, character-driven experience that feels both fresh and engaging.Larian Studios, known for its transformative impact on the RPG genre with Baldur’s Gate 3, has elevated player expectations for character depth and narrative complexity in modern role-playing games. With Michael Douse overseeing publishing, Larian has set a high bar in the industry, making his perspective on BioWare’s newest release especially valuable to fans of RPG storytelling and gameplay. Douse shared in a post that Dragon Age: The Veilguard “is to a heavy, 9 season long show what a well-made, character driven, binge-worthy Netflix series is.”Drawing parallels to a binge-worthy streaming series, Douse praised The Veilguard for its strong narrative momentum and innovative combat system. Unlike previous Dragon Age titles, which often leaned heavily on extensive world-building and complex political storylines, The Veilguard focuses more closely on character dynamics and a streamlined, more accessible RPG experience. According to Douse, this shift allows the game to strike a balance between accessibility and depth, making it an inviting entry point for newcomers while still offering layers of narrative and gameplay for long-time fans. He highlighted how The Veilguard seamlessly blends elements reminiscent of titles like Xenoblade Chronicles and Hogwarts Legacy, creating a unique and enjoyable gameplay experience.Douse’s mention of these comparisons reveals how The Veilguard’s combat approach feels both fresh and strategic. Much like Xenoblade Chronicles, the game combines real-time action with tactical choices, allowing players to adapt their strategy as they go. Meanwhile, the magical intricacies reminiscent of Hogwarts Legacy add an exciting layer of experimentation with abilities, making each battle encounter feel dynamic and varied.He also noted that the game strikes a balance between significant narrative moments and opportunities for players to explore their character’s abilities. For those who might find massive RPGs overwhelming, Douse pointed out that The Veilguard offers a more streamlined RPG experience without sacrificing depth. This design makes it an ideal entry point for players who may feel daunted by traditional RPG scale, while still delivering the richness expected by long-time Dragon Age fans.At Noisy Pixel, our review of Dragon Age: The Veilguard echoed many of Douse’s observations. We were particularly impressed with the game’s deep character customization and its nuanced protagonist, Rook. The extensive character creator allows players to craft a hero that feels uniquely their own, both in appearance and backstory, and the companion characters add even greater depth to the experience. Each brings a distinct personality and unique skillset, evolving alongside the protagonist as the narrative unfolds. With the focus on a close-knit party rather than a sprawling roster, The Veilguard captures the feeling of an intimate, cohesive team, reminiscent of the beloved dynamics in Baldur’s Gate 3 but with a distinct Dragon Age twist.While Douse focused on the game’s strengths, our review also touched on areas where The Veilguard reflects its complex development history. The simplified faction system and certain gameplay conveniences occasionally detract from immersion. For example, the ability to use party members’ exploration abilities without having them physically present may reduce incentives for more varied party compositions. However, these issues are minor compared to the game’s achievements, especially in crafting characters that feel genuinely impactful to the story.Douse concluded by expressing optimism for BioWare’s future, emphasizing the importance of studios like BioWare continuing to create meaningful games amid industry challenges. His positive remarks underscore the significance of The Veilguard not just as a game, but as a testament to the studio’s resilience in delivering rich, character-driven RPG experiences.Here’s the full post:<blockquote>I’ve been playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard in complete secrecy (behind my backpack at the office in front of a giant window, in the kitchen). From me, you may be wondering “is this a game compatible with my experience during BG3” so I’ll tackle it from that perspective.The answer is yes. It is to a heavy, 9 season long show what a well-made, character driven, binge-worthy Netflix series is.It has a good sense of propulsion and forward momentum. The combat system is honestly brilliant (to me, a mix of Xenoblade &amp; Hogwarts which is giga-brain genius). It knows when it needs a tentpole narrative moment, and it knows when to let you toy around with your class and exploit some of its stronger elements.More important, to me, it feels like the first Dragon Age game that truly knows what it wants to be.In short, if you want some character driven romping with a strong combat system in a universe you know, love, or have heard of, it is much better than the average action game, and much less heavy than the gargantuan RPGs that may intimidate at times. In a word, it’s fun!To me, I’m extremely happy BioWare gets to stick around – presumably – in these uncertain (because of moronic corporate greed) times. An existential game, and a fun one at that.</blockquote>While it may be divisive amongst the gaming community, Dragon Age series, The Veilguard offers a journey well worth undertaking.</div></body>

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Baldur’s Gate 3 Publishing Chief Praises Dragon Age: The Veilguard as ‘Binge-Worthy’ and ‘Fun’

Michael Douse, Director of Publishing at Larian Studios—the team behind the critically acclaimed Baldur’s Gate 3—recently shared his enthusiastic impressions of BioWare’s latest release, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. In a post to X, Douse expressed that the game delivers a compelling, character-driven experience that feels both fresh and engaging.