Calling all Mages, Rogues, and Warriors, the time has come to return to Thedas! The Dragon Age has been rekindled, and we're the only ones capable of stopping what evil forces lie beneath our feet. That's right, Dragon Age 4, The Veilguard, is coming soon, and we've got the inside scoop on everything you need to know!
The 4th Dragon Age is coming, and darkness looms over the land. Do you have the strength to overcome evil forces that lay claim over Tevinter? We won’t know until this upcoming RPG is released by BioWare.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Release Date
Bioware has announced the release date for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Fans won't have to wait long, as the fantasy RPG will be released on October 31, 2024.
Dragon Age 4 is now available for pre-order. You can choose between the Standard or Deluxe Edition - both editions include pre-order bonuses such as additional armor and weapon sets.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Introduces Inclusive Combat Options
Dragon Age: The Veilguard will introduce inclusive combat options designed to appeal to players of all skill levels. The game will feature a "no death" setting to prevent characters from dying during combat, as well as four difficulty levels: Storyteller, Adventurer, Nightmare, and Unbound.
Nightmare mode provides a constant, intense challenge, while Unbound mode allows for extensive customization of combat elements such as damage, waypoint support, parry difficulty, and aim support, including an option to turn off death altogether.
Game Director Corrine Busche emphasizes that these settings are designed to make the game accessible to everyone, ensuring that all players can fully enjoy the experience.
Mission-Based Story Instead Of Open World
Game Director Corinne Busche discussed with IGN how The Veilguard diverges from Dragon Age: Inquisition, addressing feedback about its open-world format.Inquisition's expansive yet sometimes shallow world prompted changes in The Veilguard. Busche emphasized a more focused, mission-driven structure aimed at immersing players from the outset. While maintaining a mission-based approach, the game includes opportunities for exploration with alternate paths, secrets, and optional content within unfolding levels.Character depth and storyline intricacies are central. Companion narratives are curated to delve deep into their motivations, enriching player engagement. Missions vary in structure, from unraveling mysteries to solving problems nonlinearly, such as investigating missing families that open up new areas.Dragon Age: The Veilguard promises to deliver rich storytelling, meaningful choices, and immersive character experiences, addressing previous criticisms to create a more engaging RPG.
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Renamed Dragon Age: The Veilguard
The game's development, which began in 2015, has been marked by lengthy delays, several fundamental changes in design, and high staff turnover. It was initially announced as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in 2022 and retitled to Dragon Age: The Veilguard in June 2024. The idea behind the new name was to focuson the new hero and their companions rather than the antagonist.
"We actually think sticking with Dreadwolf would have been the safer choice – 'Dread Wolf' is a cool name after all! In the end, it was most important for us to have a title that was authentic to the companions that are the heart of this adventure we've created. We've worked throughout development to create really incredible backstories for each companion that intersect with the main narrative in meaningful ways," stated a BioWare representative.
And we have to agree with their decision.
Game Setting, Story, And Everything We Know About Dragon Age: The Veilguard
The Dread Wolf's Comeback
In the intricate tale of Dragon Age, Solas emerges as a central figure, especially as Inquisition's events unravel. His mysterious nature takes the spotlight once again as he reveals his plans to restore the world of the ancient elves, a move that carries dark implications for the people of Thedas today.
Solas shifts from a trusted ally to a powerful opponent, though the full extent of his antagonism remains unclear – is he the only threat, or does something greater lurk in the shadows?
Red Lyrium & Its Perils
Red Lyrium, a substance both enticing and perilous, plays a significant role in Veilguard's story. Its importance dates back to previous encounters in the Dragon Age universe, notably in Dragon Age 2, where its corrupting influence left a lasting scar.
As players explore Veilguard, they witness the insidious nature of Red Lyrium, seeing how it distorts minds and bodies with alarming speed. While its magical properties tempt, its use exacts a heavy toll, leading to addiction and descent into madness.
New Hero & Old Friends
Veilguard introduces players to a new hero: the Veilguard, tasked with protecting the land from threats. While the story aims to welcome newcomers, those familiar with the lore and character dynamics from previous games, especially encounters with Solas in Inquisition, gain deeper insight into unfolding events.
Alongside new protagonists, Veilguard brings back familiar faces like Solas and possibly Varric. Their return highlights the interconnectedness of Thedas's inhabitants, weaving a complex web of alliances and betrayals that define the Dragon Age saga.
Customize your Dragon Age experience: Difficulty levels and accessibility options
BioWare has revealed new details about the difficulty settings and accessibility options in Dragon Age: The Veilguard, giving players full control over how they want to experience the game.
For those focused on story immersion, the Storyteller mode is a perfect fit, prioritizing narrative over combat difficulty. Moving up from there, players can choose Keeper or Adventurer, which offer more moderate challenges. In Keeper, strategic decisions regarding your party and equipment are more important than quick reflexes in combat, while Adventurer balances strategy and reaction time equally.
For those looking for a real challenge, Underdog turns up the intensity, but the ultimate test comes in Nightmare mode. Be careful though - once you select Nightmare, you're locked in for the rest of your playthrough, unable to lower the difficulty.In addition to these presets, there's also an "Unbound" option. This setting allows for an even deeper level of customization, allowing players to tweak specific aspects such as enemy aggression, difficulty, or even turn off death altogether.
BioWare also provides a robust set of accessibility features to ensure that players of all abilities can enjoy the game. Read them here.
And that's everything we know so far about Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Are you as hyped as we are?