Dragon Age: The Veilguard Abandons Open World For Mission-Based Experience

The excitement for Dragon Age: The Veilguard is increasing every day. Game director Corinne Busche has now revealed how the game differs from its predecessor, promising a finely crafted experience that prioritizes narrative depth over vast but hollow worlds.

Dragon Age The Veilguard
Dragon Age 4 will not have an open world. | © Bioware

BioWare has unveiled new details about its upcoming RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Formerly known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, the game has undergone a name change and a surge of visual updates, accompanied by a flood of information that has fans eagerly waiting for its release.

Game Director Corinne Busche recently sat down with IGN to delve into how The Veilguard diverges from its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition, and what players can expect from the game.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard: A New Direction For The RPG Series

Dragon Age: Inquisition marked a bold leap into the open-world genre, boasting the largest game world in the series. Yet, this expansiveness didn't entirely resonate with some players, who noted issues with repetitive tasks, shallow characters, and a lack of meaningful decisions. The Veilguard aims to address these shortcomings."We want to immerse players right from the start," Busche explains. "In RPGs, especially lore-heavy ones, the initial exposition and barrage of proper nouns can be overwhelming." This new direction shifts away from Inquisition's vast yet sometimes hollow expanses toward a more focused, mission-driven structure.Busche goes into further detail on the game’s design philosophy: "It's a mission-based game, meticulously crafted to offer the best narrative and moment-to-moment experience. While it maintains a mission-based approach, there are opportunities for exploration," she clarifies. "Levels unfold with alternate paths, mysteries, secrets, and optional content."This spirit extends to characters and storylines. "Companion stories are highly curated, delving deep into their motivations and experiences," Busche highlights. Each companion offers a unique journey, enriching the player's connection to the adventure.

Furthermore, missions vary in structure and depth. "Some, like investigating a missing family, open up entire areas for exploration," Busche adds. "It's about finding clues, unraveling mysteries, and solving problems in a non-linear fashion."Dragon Age: The Veilguard promises a departure from its predecessor's shortcomings, focusing on rich storytelling, meaningful choices, and immersive character experiences.

Johanna Goebel

Johanna is studying Online-Journalism in Cologne and has been travelling the gaming world since she was a toddler. Her heart beats for open-worlds, action or fantasy RPGs and third-person shooters with great storylines and (un)charming characters.

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