The Veilguard Against Baldur’s Gate 3

Highlights

Both Dragon Age: Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3 offer unique experiences that deserve appreciation on their own merits.
Veilguard’s action-oriented combat highlights the diverse possibilities within the RPG genre, showcasing BioWare’s commitment to innovation.
The shift towards a more action-oriented approach in Veilguard reflects a natural progression in BioWare’s game design and ensures fresh and exciting gameplay experiences.

As a fan of the Dragon Age series, I find myself at an interesting crossroads with the recent discourse surrounding Dragon Age: Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3. The gaming community seems poised to place BioWare’s newest installment against Larian Studios’ critically acclaimed RPG.

After BG3 has reigned supreme for almost a year now, filling the shoes that many Dragon Age fans, including myself, have long awaited, it’s natural to draw comparisons. However, I argue that this divisive debate is unnecessary. Both games offer unique experiences that deserve appreciation on their own merits.

Dragons and Dungeons

The release of Baldur’s Gate 3 marked a significant milestone in the world of RPGs. Its depth, narrative complexity, and immersive gameplay resonated with players worldwide. I fell in love with BG3 through romancing Astarion, playing a paladin who made quirky choices, and even pushed myself to finish a third run romancing Gale, which turned chaotic in its own right.

Although I was not a fan of the earlier Baldur’s Gate games, BG3’s modern take and incredible execution captivated me. The game’s success led to inevitable comparisons and predictions that BioWare’s Veilguard would be measured against it.

My Inquisitor’s Romance With Dorian Better Be Acknowledged In Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Let love prevail instead of having my hero run away…again.

I admit that I was one of those eagerly waiting to see how BioWare would respond to the cultural awakening BG3 had initiated. Speculations were rife that BioWare might return to the roots of Origins with classic CRPG elements. However, Veilguard has taken a different path, leaning more into action RPG elements and distancing itself from the traditional CRPG mechanics that defined Origins. This decision has sparked debate, but I believe it’s a step in the right direction.

Action and Innovation

One of the strengths of the Dragon Age series has been its willingness to innovate with each installment. Origins offered a traditional CRPG experience, Dragon Age 2 shifted towards a more action-oriented approach, and Inquisition found a balance between action and tactical gameplay with its hybrid system that allowed for an aerial view of the combat arena. Veilguard continues this trend by embracing a more action-oriented style reminiscent of DA2.

I appreciate that BioWare is not merely replicating past successes but is instead pushing the boundaries of what a Dragon Age game can be. This commitment to innovation ensures that each game in the series offers a fresh experience. Veilguard’s action-oriented combat highlights the diverse possibilities within the RPG genre.

A Dragon Age Fan Has Theorised The Factions Of The Veilguard’s Seven Companions

Seven factions for seven companions…

Reflecting on my experiences, I remember the uproar when Mass Effect 2 made the jump to more action-oriented combat. Traditional RPG fans who preferred the old-school style evident in the first Mass Effect game were initially resistant. However, Mass Effect 2’s combat changes have since been celebrated, and it is now considered one of the best in the series. Personally, I love Mass Effect 3 the most, but the shift in gameplay style in Mass Effect 2 set a precedent for BioWare’s evolution, which is now visible in Veilguard.

Influence and Evolution

Some of the Normandy crew (Mass Effect 2)

The influence of Mass Effect 2 on Veilguard is apparent, particularly in its three-person party system and the indirect control of party members. This shift towards a more action-oriented approach with a focus on combos and strategic coordination is reminiscent of the gameplay mechanics seen in the Mass Effect trilogy.

During my playthrough of BG3, I couldn’t help but hope that the Dragon Age developers were taking notes, thinking they might replicate Larian’s success. However, there’s a significant problem with this way of thinking. It would go against Larian Studios’ philosophy of creating games with passion and from a place of fun. The magic of BG3 lies not just in its genre but in how Larian tells the story within that genre.

Mass Effect Multiplayer Fighting Collectors

This evolution in gameplay is not a betrayal of the series’ roots but rather a natural progression. Dragon Age: Veilguard’s approach, with its emphasis on combos and dynamic combat, reflects a broader trend in BioWare’s game design. The decision to innovate rather than replicate ensures that each new installment feels fresh and exciting, even if it diverges from traditional RPG mechanics.