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BioWare
Yesterday, we were still wondering about the new name BioWare has for what we used to call Dragon Age: Dreadwolf. Finally, we wonder no more. The studio, once more, presented Dragon Age: The Veilguard – the next game in the popular RPG series.
The name change comes to shift away from Solas, also known as the Dread Wolf, and focus more on the characters you'll play as, the ones who guard the Veil.
"This game," Executive Producer Gary McKay told IGN, "more so than ever, is about you and your companions – a group that you must rally to fight by your side."
While the title is different, the essence of Dragon Age games stays the same: you will find friends and lovers to stay with you until the end.
"Each of the seven unique characters that make up your companions will have deep and compelling storylines where the decisions you make will impact your relationships with them – as well as their lives. You’ll unite this team of unforgettable heroes as you take on a terrifying new threat unleashed on the world. Naturally, the Dread Wolf still has an important part in this tale, but you and your companions – not your enemies – are the heart of this new experience," McKay said.
The name Dreadwolf was given to the game a long time ago, so changing it now came as a surprise to many fans. McKay admitted that leaving it be would be easier and "the safer choice," but in the end, it was more important for the studio to "have a title that was authentic to the companions."
Now, my biggest issue with Dragon Age: The Veilguard is the article, which could be omitted, in my opinion, to be in line with Origins and Inquisition. As for why not simply call it Dragon Age 4, McKay said it’s for the same reason that Inquisition wasn't Dragon Age III: Inquisition.
"Every game in the series tells its own unique story and the title is an important element to help set the stage for the next standalone adventure inclusive of its own hero, companions, narrative arc, villain, setting, etc."
Sorry, Dragon Age 2, you're the black sheep again.
The Veilguard will be the first Dragon Age game in a decade, and it has seen many vision changes and veteran developers leaving the company. This was even supposed to be a multiplayer title once. Now it finally solved its identity problems and is ready to be released sometime this year.
As for the Veilguard itself, it is you and your companions, who are "central to taking down a new evil threat unleashed upon Thedas. It might not just be Solas."
"We spent a lot of time making our companions feel authentic based on their own unique experiences within this larger fantasy world, which in turn makes the relationships you form with them feel even more meaningful. We’ve tapped into Dragon Age’s deep lore and explored its most iconic factions to bring each of the seven companions and their stories to life," McKay added. "I won’t spoil next week’s reveal but I can say we’ve created a story where you can impact the world and the companions that surround you. Player agency is important to the Dragon Age: The Veilguard experience and allows each player to form unique personal connections with their companions of choice. And, yes, you can romance the companions you want!"
Aside from romantic endeavors, we can expect to see more regions of Thedas than ever before. As usual, we will see one of the protagonists from previous games, although it's not clear in what role.
"Games across the Dragon Age franchise are never designed as a game-over-game continuous storyline. There are familiar arcs, factions and heroes important to the overarching Dragon Age universe that weave through the new story we’re telling. The previous games, characters and events aren’t the anchor of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, it’s about your adventure with a brand new cast of companions that you must rally to fight against a powerful force."
BioWare
To summarize, we'll see a lot of Thedas, probably the Inquisitor, and another god villain beyond Solas. We will get a glimpse of the gameplay on June 11, when BioWare will show 15 minutes from the opening sequence.
It seems combat has been reworked, and the game will feature an ability wheel so you can "pause the action and set up your next move – whether it’s your companions’ abilities or your own."
Fans have been waiting for a new Dragon Age title for a long time, and everyone realizes the high stakes. If The Veilguard flops, this is probably the end of the franchise, it would be extremely hard to get back up from it. The game is bound to be compared to Baldur's Gate 3, last year's Game of the Year, and this must weigh heavily on the team.
Hopefully, we'll receive even more than we expect. Find out more about The Veilguard here and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Reddit, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.