When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Heres how it works.

But if you aren’t familiar with the series, that’s no surprise.

So, let’s dive in and discuss The Veilguard from the perspective of a new player.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Rook and companions.

There are dozen of customization options in the character creator.(Image credit: Windows Central)

How approachable is the storyline, how does combat work, and what is the overall gameplay experience like?

You’ll be able to make different decisions that impact the story along the way.

Most of these decisions affect how non-playable characters (NPCs) interact with me during my playthrough.

Article image

But for now, let’s talk about the art style and character creator.

The Veilguard has one of the most impressive character creators Ive ever seen.

Let me tell you, The Veilguard has one of the most impressive character creators Ive ever seen.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

There are dozen of customization options in the character creator.(Image credit: Windows Central)

I started my preview experience on Adventurer, which is basically the “Normal” option.

If you don’t want this information spoiled for you, skip this section.

Now, these elven deities seek to destroy the world just like they sought to a long time ago.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s character creator - YouTube

Your group is now known as the titular Veilguard.

My limited understanding of Inquisition’s plot partially prepared me for this direct sequel preview, but not entirely.

Exploring areas of the game also allowed me to see special cutscenes that further explained the story.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard

It’s just one of the ways that The Veilguard rewards exploration.

What about DLC and expansions?

This gives them more depth and can affect our bond when I choose to undertake these missions.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard character creator hairstyles.

There are dozen of customization options in the character creator.(Image credit: Windows Central)

What’s more, companions have unique abilities that can help me traverse maps or solve puzzles.

This fact already has me itching to play certain sections of the game again and make different choices.

Just like with other BioWare games likeMass Effect, players can also romance their companions.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard classes.

One of the first things you do when starting a new game is choose your class, either a rogue, warrior, or mage.(Image credit: Windows Central)

I want to be clear that it’s not player sexual.

“Handling romances and romantic options.

They don’t adapt their personalities to conform to the player, and that’s fundamentally the difference.”

Dragon Age: The Veilguard character creator lighting.

There are four lighting options to help you preview your character and make sure you got them looking the way you want.

These aren’t the most powerful chips on the market, but they are pretty high-tier.

The only thing that felt strangely limited was jumping.

Both layouts felt intuitive and comfortable to use.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard difficulty.

There are five difficulties to choose from and a helpful chart on the side lets you know what to expect from each option.

The most curated moment-to-moment experience by really going back to a mission-based structure."

As someone who really likes plot-focused games, I found this choice suited The Veilguard very well.

We really felt we could tell the best stories…

Dragon Age: The Veilguard opening mission.

The Veilguard puts players into the action without hardly any story preamble.

The most curated moment-to-moment experience by really going back to a mission-based structure."

So, there will be no more wasted wandering around to see if a character wants to talk.

You, as a player, will need to determine which class feels right for your preferred playstyle.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard key art

Rogues offer a mixture of ranged and melee combat, which gives them flexibility in battle.

Meanwhile, Mages are primarily ranged attackers that have low defense and powerful spells.

All together, combat felt intuitive, very balanced, and satisfying.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — city moon.

The photo mode gives you a lot of controls to help you get the perfect shot.(Image credit: Windows Central)

“We want players to find emergent builds.”

Busche continued, “We want them to feel like they can outsmart us.

But, my goodness, nothing would make me happier than somebody outsmarting our best tuners.”

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Darkspawn.

You’ll regularly face Darkspawn and other demons in The Veilguard.(Image credit: Windows Central)

So, is The Veilguard approachable for new players?

They further said to start with The Veilguard and go back to previous titles from there.

I can’t wait to dive in when the game launches later this year.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Lucanis Dellamorte.

Companion gear menus are very clean and easy to work with.(Image credit: Windows Central)

This game is alsoSteam Deckverified.

It’s an action-adventure RPG that’s available in either a Standard Edition or Deluxe Edition.

For more information, you might check out ourThe Veilguard preorder guide.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Combat.

Rogues are versitle fighters who can attack at close range with daggers or use a bow and arrow for long range.(Image credit: Windows Central)

You also get to make decisions that impact the story.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Dreadwolf statue.

The Veilguard’s environments are beautiful and filled with detail.(Image credit: Windows Central)

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Mystical room.

There are plenty of places and biomes to explore throughout the course of The Veilguard story.(Image credit: Windows Central)

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Underwater city.

The Veilguard has a stylized design to it, but it’s also very detailed.(Image credit: Windows Central)

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Eluvian.

Rather than being an open-world game, this game is hub focused.(Image credit: Windows Central)

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Merchant.

You’ll want to purchase gear from merchants to keep your party fighting fit.(Image credit: Windows Central)

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Decision making.

It’s made clear early on that your decisions affect the story and how character feel about you.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard decisions.

Your companion relationships will evolve based on how you interact with people.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Character loadout.

The Character menu allows you to swap out gear and keep your Rook fighting fit.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard | Official Release Date Trailer - YouTube

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Mission start.

Traveling through magic mirrors known as Eluvians allows you to start missions.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Mage spell.

Mages unleash powerful spells from afar, but they have low defense and will need to evade melee attacks.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Ability Wheel combo.

The Ability Wheel in Dragon Age: The Veilguard allows me to briefly pause the game in combat while I command my companions attacks.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Darkspawn.

Enemies scale along side your character to keep the game challenging.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard preview — Fighting an enemy.

The Veilguard offers intuitive controls for both mouse and keyboard and controllers.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Rook and Varrick.

Rook and their companions will face several challenges as they fight their way through the main plot.

HyperX 3D Print - Headset…

Hyperx Cloud III Gaming…

Alienware AW3423DWF Curved…

Dell Alienware 34 Curved…

Alienware - AW3423DWF 34"…

Screenshot of Avowed running on Xbox Series X.

DOOM: The Dark Ages

Screenshot of Assassin�s Creed Shadows.

Official Avowed image from the Avowed Fan Kit.

Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2

Screenshot of Assassin�s Creed Shadows.

Promotional screenshot of characters from Zenless Zone Zero

A closeup shot of the MSI Claw 8 AI+�s ABXY buttons.

The Crew

Promotional screenshot of a superpowered football kick in Inazuma Eleven: Victory Road

Cyberpunk 2077 benchmark running on MSI Claw 8 AI+.

Razer�s Minecraft collection in retail boxes

Call of Duty: Warzone returns to its roots with Verdansk map for Season 3.

ASUS ROG Strix SCAR 18 (2025)

Witchbrook first look screenshots.

Minecraft�s new key art.

Inspecting the Kilo 141 in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6