Later this fall, BioWare and EA's Dragon Age: The Veilguard will finally give players a glimpse of how the world of Thedas has changed in the decade since Dragon Age: Inquisition first came out. But if the latest gameplay preview is anything to go by, Thedas hasn't changed for the better. However, the storytelling of the game itself seems more polished.
The Veilguard co-directors Corinne Busche and John Epler have shared a 22-minute gameplay video via IGN that takes place at the heart of the story. In this side quest, the player character, Rook, agrees to help his companion, Davrin, complete a personal mission of vengeance. The filmmakers also chose two additional side quests to procure medical supplies for the Grey Wardens and to locate some of their missing members. This was meant to illustrate that these missions are more organically placed within the story, rather than unrelated events.
Additionally, the Crossroads is no longer a place of refuge thanks to the war between the game's antagonist, Solas, and the gods. Rook and his companions must fight their way through the area before arriving at Hossberg, an area that has been overrun by the Scourge.
Thanks to the Scourge, the Darkspawn's enemies are much more formidable in this preview, with Rook even dying at one point before being revived. The filmmakers noted that they're giving companions more autonomy in their character arcs, as demonstrated by Davrin splitting off from the player's party to face his nemesis, the Dark Howler.
Among other details, faction shops, including the Shadow Warden's, can be upgraded to offer players more enticing rewards. Areas are also designed to be revisited after missions, should players be interested in searching for secrets and hidden treasures.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard will release on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on October 31.