by 
Lizzy’s Take:
✨ The gender system isn’t binary, the party is pansexual, and BioWare remembered how to write character arcs. I didn’t expect The Veilguard to hit this hard—but it did. Right in the dragon-kissed feels. ✨
After a decade-long wait, Dragon Age: The Veilguard arrives as a refined, action-packed continuation of BioWare’s beloved series. As a longtime fan, I found the story engaging, the combat fluid, and the representation groundbreaking.
“A return to form that embraces both legacy and innovation.”
👉 Recommended if: You’re a fan of action RPGs with meaningful character customization and inclusive storytelling.
🚫 Skip it if: You’re seeking complex moral choices or a traditional tactical combat system.
Completionist Corner: 70 Hours, One Reset, No Regrets
I managed a full completionist run in one go—no guides, no spreadsheets, no spreadsheets about spreadsheets. It was honestly one of the more satisfying 100% completions I’ve had in a while. Most achievements unfold naturally through side content, and aside from one mildly cursed Bellara quest that forced a few resets, it all went down smooth.
A handful of quests flirt with filler, but most feel like they’re building character, adding lore, or dragging you into romance drama. You know, the essentials.
The Story: Solas Finally Gets His Day in the Fade
Veilguard picks up the loose threads from Inquisition and ties them into a tighter, cleaner, more personal story. Solas is back, and the game wastes no time putting him front and center—less “villain with a plan” and more “god with a crisis.”
This isn’t Origins‘ sprawling moral tangle or Inquisition‘s geopolitical chessboard. It’s a more focused epilogue to the saga that started in Trespasser, and it works. The returning characters feel earned, the new companions are written with heart, and Harding finally gets to be more than a glorified weather report.
If you come for grand world-shaking choices, you may feel underfed. But if you’re here to see a story conclude, and maybe kiss someone while doing it? It’s exactly what it needs to be.
Combat: Flashy, Fast, and Slightly Front-Loaded
Combat has gone full action-RPG, complete with dodging, combos, and enough particle effects to start a rave in the Hinterlands. It’s stylish and responsive, and switching between party members on the fly adds a layer of strategic flair.
That said, the progression is a little too generous. I was fully specced out well before the final act, turning most late-game fights into fashion shows for new gear. Not a complaint, but don’t expect a steep difficulty curve.
Still, it’s fun, fluid, and gives mages the movement freedom we’ve deserved since 2009.
Character Creation: Mirror, Mirror, Who’s the Realest of Them All?
This is where Veilguard absolutely shines. The game doesn’t just allow nonbinary characters—it welcomes them. Pronouns are selectable, body types are decoupled from gender, and your identity is acknowledged throughout the game in both dialogue and design.
It’s all accessed through a magical mirror system that lets you define scars, tattoos, gender, and more—not just visually, but narratively. And unlike some games (Cyberpunk, I’m looking at you), your choice actually matters. People react accordingly. Your identity isn’t a secret—it’s part of the world.
As a nonbinary player, I didn’t feel like I had to compromise. I felt seen. That alone would’ve made the game worth playing.
Final Verdict
The Veilguard may not be the deepest RPG BioWare’s ever made, but it’s certainly one of the most sincere. The story is compact, the gameplay is modern, and the inclusion isn’t performative—it’s personal.
If you want a story-driven RPG where your identity is more than an afterthought and your romance options could fill a party of their own, this one’s for you.
BioWare’s back—and this time, they brought the mirror.
