I hope Dragon Age: The Veilguard has taken inspiration from the greatest part of Dragon Age 2

GamesRPGDragon AgeI hope Dragon Age: The Veilguard has taken inspiration from the greatest part of Dragon Age 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGDragon AgeI hope Dragon Age: The Veilguard has taken inspiration from the greatest part of Dragon Age 2When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: BioWare) Dragon Age: The Veilguard looms on the horizon, and expectations are high. Not least atBioWare. The studio seems keen to tackle criticisms of its previous games, such as Dragon Age: Inquisition’sgod-awful cameraand Origins and 2’s copy-and-paste population. Fans' hopes are just as high. While some are hoping that Veilguard will lean into Origins ‘edgier’ themes – which, considering the less-than-savory origins of the Elven pantheon and the possibility of them being released onto the world, dark aspects seem likely – and Inquisition’s multi-faceted characters, I will be quirky and say that I really hope BioWare has looked to its bastard child: Dragon Age 2. To some, this is a wild claim. After all, Dragon Age 2 is a game that was developed in just 16 months and under extreme levels of crunch. It had recycled environments, the customization of companions was dumbed way down and all in all, was sorely lacking in polish. Why, then, do I hope thatDragon Age: The Veilguardtakes on board some of the lessons of Dragon Age 2? One word: Kirkwall. The City of Chains' everlasting impact (Image credit: EA) Our first trip to Kirkwall(Image credit: BioWare)Dragon Age 2 review: “A bold step toward remaking the entire action-RPG genre” Our first trip to Kirkwall (Image credit: BioWare)Dragon Age 2 review: “A bold step toward remaking the entire action-RPG genre” (Image credit: BioWare) Dragon Age 2 review: “A bold step toward remaking the entire action-RPG genre” When it comes to Dragon Age 2, I have a bunch of favorite characters. But Kirkwall, a city and not a person at all, is impossible to forget. Known as The City of Chains due to its past dealings in slavery and the gigantic bronze chains that are erected between the lighthouse and the docks, Kirkwall is the main location throughout players' journey as Hawke. As they progress through 10-in-game years, the city’s inner workings and gruesome past are revealed through codex entries, ambient dialogue, and the rush of violence and terror that Hawke and their companions encounter on the city’s streets. But back in 2011 – and I’d argue even now – BioWare’s commitment to making Kirkwall have a noticeable socioeconomic divide solidified it as one of the most memorable locations within the Dragon Age universe. These areas of change are not always hugely noticeable, particularly if you’re just looking to get to point B from Point A and defeat X, Y, and Z enemies, but that doesn’t stop them from being there. Some changes are harder to miss. For example, defeating the Qunari in Act 2 means that the first thing you see while heading to the docks in Act 3 is a brand new statue, and the compound where they were located being shut off completely. Fast forward from Act 1 to Act 2, and the refugee center helping Fereldan immigrants is no longer there, with many having either found a place of their own, returned to their country, or are so deep in debt or indentured servitude because of Kirkwaller xenophobia, that staying to serve is the only way forward. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more (Image credit: BioWare) However, the biggest change is Hawke and their relationship to the city. They quickly rise from refugee to the Champion of Kirkwall, moving from the gutters of Lowtown to the blue-blooded streets of Hightown, with their own estate to boot. This makes it so that a once unusable building in Act 1 is now open to you, with your own family heraldry hanging near the front door, and everyone, from your contacts to your own family, changes in how they perceive you. Compare Kirkwall to the huge, sprawling locations that you trek through in Dragon Age Inquisition. While exceedingly beautiful (I’ll never forget my wonder at seeing The Emerald Graves for the first time), none quite capture the same level of feeling and character, or even nostalgia, as that of Kirkwall. And if the locationsdomanage to capture a sentiment, it’s often that of utter frustration and not fondness at all.Yes, I’m looking at you, The Hinterlands.Even Val Royeaux, the diamond of Thedas, was severely lacking in character with just how little the place and people change throughout the game. In my opinion, the reason for this lack of personality is how excessively tremendous the scope of Inquisition was, with several locations and the need to fill them all with a level ofsomething, anything at all,to do. In 2014, it made perfect sense to do just that, with how beloved open-world games like Skyrim were, but the reality is that, outside of a select few hubs like The Winter Palace and Skyhold, Inquisition’s world felt less like one and more of an enchanting-looking checklist. This all being said, I have high hopes for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The game’s first look at Tevinter was jaw-dropping, and the promise of a more mission-focused RPG instead of a fairly lifeless open world has me excited. Coupled with hub locations, I’m looking forward to seeing how communities of people, like the Seers of Rivain and the Merchant Princes of Antiva, have fared. Add in the splinter groups we’ll be meeting, and how they will play into the locations we explore, and I anticipate that these new locations will not just be as memorable as Kirkwall, but exceed The City of Chains altogether. 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wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel 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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”