BioWare has confirmed that the upcoming Dragon Age: The Veilguard will not follow the open-world format of its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition. Instead, the fourth installment in the Dragon Age series will feature a “mission-based” structure aimed at providing the best narrative experience.
In an interview with IGN, director Corinne Busche revealed that The Veilguard will not be a fully open world but will offer highly curated, hand-crafted missions. “Everything is hand-touched, hand-crafted, very highly curated,” Busche explained, emphasizing that this approach allows for a more controlled and immersive storytelling experience.
While the game will not be strictly linear, it will have levels that open up to offer exploration opportunities. Some areas will have more exploration than others, featuring alternate branching paths, mysteries, secrets, and optional content. Side quests will be influenced by the motivations and experiences of the companions, providing varied open areas to explore.
Busche stressed that despite these exploratory elements, The Veilguard is ultimately “a mission-based, highly curated game.” However, some similarities with Inquisition remain, as the player’s choices as the Inquisitor may influence the beginning of The Veilguard.
For fans eager for more details, BioWare announced that 15 minutes of gameplay from The Veilguard will be showcased on June 11 during Summer Game Fest 2024. The showcase will include gameplay from the opening moments of the game, featuring a new lead character and a cast of companions.
In addition, BioWare has reassured fans that The Veilguard will retain the romance options beloved by Dragon Age players, with each character’s romance having a unique flavor.
