The director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard reveals new details of the game’s combat system, from the skill tree to companions and combos.
Dragon AgeBioware’s iconic role-playing and fantasy franchise, will receive a new installment at the end of 2024. Known as Dreadwolf, EA is finally betting on the subtitle The Veilguardsince it better adapts to what the new installment really offers.
The fourth part of the RPG saga will not be an open world, and will focus on the combat system in a more direct way. Say goodbye to ARPG mechanics and tactical components.
In that sense, Dragon Age: The Veilguard more reminiscent of the direct action of Dragon Age II. In addition, the protagonist (Rook) will have the help of up to seven companions.
One of the peculiarities of the game, which differentiates it from other games like Baldur’s Gate III, is that The companions will have their own stories, and will be able to establish links with each othertotally unrelated to the protagonist of the adventure.
Director Corinne Busche has met with Game Informer, revealing new details of the combat system. Some Dragon Age fans have not taken well to these changes, which, in reality, have their basis.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard will arrive on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and PC at the end of 2024as a reboot of the franchise after the trilogy orchestrated between 2009 and 2014.
The most fun fight in the saga
For a start, Corinne Busche acknowledges that Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s combat It’s a natural evolution compared to that seen in previous games. It feels more direct, immersive and authentic, leaving tactical mechanics behind.
”I think the first thing to keep in mind is that combat in the franchise has been evolving. Each entry reinvents what combat is like and I would say our goal was to make sure we had a system that allowed players to feel like they could really enter the world of Thedas.”.
Some examples are charged attackswhich we can execute directly or taking a break (to protect ourselves or change characters). They can also be use potions fasterwith just a touch of the crosshead.
The controls are identical, regardless of whether we control a Qunari warrior or a mage. The difference is that the shield button (on the warrior) is the one to cast spells (on the mage)to cite an example.
Regarding the skill tree, the director of Dragon Age: The Veilguard comments that Rook has a more complete tree (combat, passives…), but the companions will have their own sheet, which we can improve when we assign a point when leveling them up.
The seven additional characters They will be able to use three skills in combat (of the five selected)with buttons and shortcuts to make the action more direct.
”They have their own behaviors, they have their own autonomy on the battlefield, they will choose their own objectives. As their plots progress, they learn to use their abilities more competently, and it really feels like you’re fighting.“.
One of the keys to Dragon Age: The Veilguard is knowing How to take advantage of synergies between colleagues. The Bioware director cites the example of slowing down time with Bellara, then hitting enemies with Harding’s powerful attacks.
”I’ve seen Veilguard’s combat refined over time, and I love it. I love that balance of fluid real-time action, but also the ability to have depth to the RPG, not just in terms of pausing and playing, but also in terms of how you bring your companions onto the battlefield.”, says Gary McKay, CEO of Bioware.
”What I see in Veilguard is a game that finally closes the gap,” he says. “Uncharitably, previous Dragon Age games landed in the realm of ‘the combat wasn’t that bad.’ In this game, the combat is really fun”, he assures Mark Darrah, former producer of the saga.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard is in development by Bioware, and will be published by EA in the final stretch of 2024 (no date yet). Another aspect already confirmed is that we can customize different Rook traits, from his armor to the character’s race.
