Dragon Age: Dread Wolf (aka the fourth Dragon Age) is now Dragon Age: Keeper of the Veil, and we’re getting a gameplay reveal next week, plus BioWare has finally revealed the overall direction of the game.
The announcement, along with some details and an explanation of why Dreadwolf was dropped, was made via the official BioWare blog In addition, IGN got an exclusive in-depth look at some story details and some interesting tidbits directly from BioWare General Manager Gary McKay.
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“Each of the seven unique characters that make up your companions will have a deep and engaging storyline, and the decisions you make will impact your relationships with them and their lives,” BioWare’s post revealed. “You’ll unite this unforgettable team of heroes to take on a terrifying new threat that has emerged in the world. Of course, the Dread Wolf still plays a major role in this story, but you and your companions, not your enemies, are at the heart of this new experience.” Perhaps because of the recent success of Baldur’s Gate 3 and its approach to companions, it’s interesting to see that this approach builds on what BioWare (and not just Larian) has done in the past with the Dragon Age series.
Regardless, it’s clear from this post and the IGN interview that BioWare is looking to return to its acclaimed roots with this game, and a core part of that is nurturing the teammates we meet and the relationships that can develop in our new adventures. Following the disappointment of Mass Effect: Andromeda and the outright failure of Anthem after its chaotic development, Dragon Age: Inquisition was the last great game from BioWare, and hopefully its sequel can recapture that magic.
“The biggest clue I can share is that you and your companions — who make up the Veilguard — are central to taking down a new evil threat facing Thedas. And it might not just be Solas,” McKay added. Additionally, the overall story seems to have evolved over the years while retaining the core conflict hinted at at the end of the Trespasser DLC, which served as the epilogue to Inquisition. As for the number of companions, which has been reduced from nine to seven, McKay said it’s “the right number for the story we’re telling,” as “each one represents a unique faction or element of Thedas.”
EA and BioWare also claimed that although this game is still a sequel to Inquisition, new players do not need to play all the previous games to experience the story of this game: “Previous games, characters and events are not the core of Dragon Age: Veilkeeper. This game tells the story of the player’s adventure with a group of new companions. You must unite and fight against powerful forces.”
About the gameplay, We’ll see more of The Veilguard on Tuesday, June 11 at 8:00 a.m. PT when the first 15-minute gameplay demo is released on the Dragon Age YouTube channel.. For now, though, McKay says the system as a whole has been moved forward like every previous game, and they’re introducing “a new ability wheel where you can pause the action and set up your next move – whether it’s your companion’s abilities or your own,” which will likely work in tandem with the more dynamic, real-time (but more tactical) combat system of past games.
Stay tuned for more on Dragon Age: Keeper of the Veil, a massive RPG that is sure to make a splash in the coming months as gameplay demos are unveiled and more details are revealed. While we don’t have a specific release date yet, EA recently noted that they are aiming for a release by early 2025 at the latest.
