Dragon Age 4: Everything We Know About Dragon Age The Veilguard

The 4th Dragon Age is coming, and darkness looms over the land. Do you have the strength to overcome evil forces that lay claim over Tevinter? We won’t know until this upcoming RPG is released by BioWare.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Release Date Announced, And You Won't Have To Wait Long

Bioware has announced the release date for Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Fans won't have to wait long, as the fantasy RPG will be released on October 31, 2024.

Along with this announcement, the developers have released a new trailer:

Dragon Age 4 is now available for pre-order. You can choose between the Standard or Deluxe Edition - both editions include pre-order bonuses such as additional armor and weapon sets.

What's Next in the Coming Weeks?

The release date announcement and new trailer are just the beginning of an extensive marketing campaign that will unfold over the coming weeks. Look for a new gameplay video focusing on the Warrior class on August 19, 2024. On August 26th, fans can look forward to a new look at the upcoming party members.On August 30th, there will be a Q&A session with the development team on the official Discord server. Starting on September 3, IGN will host a month-long series of updates and news. It's a great time for fans, with many exciting developments on the horizon.Beyond September, more promotional activities are planned leading up to launch, but Bioware has yet to announce any further details.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Reveals First Gameplay Footage

BioWare and Electronic Arts have released a twenty-minute gameplay video for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, offering a first look at the game's opening and party dynamics. The trailer highlights fast-paced combat and a vibrant visual style that marks a departure from the darker tone of Dragon Age: Inquisition. The new game features a brighter and more colorful aesthetic:

Corinne Busche, Game Director, emphasizes that the game will offer a significant, story-driven experience with more regions to explore, complex skill trees, and a combination of fluid action and deep RPG strategy. This reveal sets high expectations!

Dragon Age: The Veilguard Introduces Inclusive Combat Options

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will introduce inclusive combat options designed to appeal to players of all skill levels. The game will feature a "no death" setting to prevent characters from dying during combat, as well as four difficulty levels: Storyteller, Adventurer, Nightmare, and Unbound. Nightmare mode provides a constant, intense challenge, while Unbound mode allows for extensive customization of combat elements such as damage, waypoint support, parry difficulty, and aim support, including an option to turn off death altogether.

Game Director Corrine Busche emphasizes that these settings are designed to make the game accessible to everyone, ensuring that all players can fully enjoy the experience.

Mission-Based Story Instead Of Open World

Game Director Corinne Busche discussed with IGN how The Veilguard diverges from Dragon Age: Inquisition, addressing feedback about its open-world format.Inquisition's expansive yet sometimes shallow world prompted changes in The Veilguard. Busche emphasized a more focused, mission-driven structure aimed at immersing players from the outset. While maintaining a mission-based approach, the game includes opportunities for exploration with alternate paths, secrets, and optional content within unfolding levels.Character depth and storyline intricacies are central. Companion narratives are curated to delve deep into their motivations, enriching player engagement. Missions vary in structure, from unraveling mysteries to solving problems nonlinearly, such as investigating missing families that open up new areas.Dragon Age: The Veilguard promises to deliver rich storytelling, meaningful choices, and immersive character experiences, addressing previous criticisms to create a more engaging RPG.

Dragon Age: Dreadwolf Renamed Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The game's development, which began in 2015, has been marked by lengthy delays, several fundamental changes in design, and high staff turnover. It was initially announced as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf in 2022 and retitled to Dragon Age: The Veilguard in June 2024. The idea behind the new name was to focuson the new hero and their companions rather than the antagonist.

"We actually think sticking with Dreadwolf would have been the safer choice – 'Dread Wolf' is a cool name after all! In the end, it was most important for us to have a title that was authentic to the companions that are the heart of this adventure we've created. We've worked throughout development to create really incredible backstories for each companion that intersect with the main narrative in meaningful ways," stated a BioWare representative.

And we have to agree with their decision.

Roadmap For Upcoming Announcements

Here is the current marketing roadmap...

We will update this table as soon as new reveals are announced.

First Trailer

“I’ve faced tyrants and would-be gods. I’ve seen friends lose life & limb. There’s always someone bent on breaking the world”

The reveal trailer for Dragon Age: The Veilguard showcases some of the characters you'll encounter in BioWare's upcoming RPG. Two of them are familiar faces, as the dwarves Varric and Harding previously appeared in Dragon Age: Inquisition. Harding will also be one of your companions.

Other companions, who may be new to you, include the detective Neve, the mage killer Lucanis, the veil jumper Bellara, the necromancer Emmerich, the warden Davrin, and the dragon hunter Taash. You will join forces with them to face the gods and send them to the eternal hunting grounds.

What Platforms Is Dragon Age: The Veilguard Being Released On?

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is set to release in Fall 2024 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S, and will be available on PC and Xbox Game Pass at launch.

Inside sources have suggested that Dragon Age: The Veilguard will launch with three different editions, including the following:

• Standard Edition
• Special Edition
• Premium Edition

Unfortunately, an overview of these special editions hasn’t been provided yet. BioWare has maintained secrecy with this game to avoid any leaks or rumors.

Game Setting, Story, And Everything We Know About Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The Dread Wolf's Comeback

In the intricate tale of Dragon Age, Solas emerges as a central figure, especially as Inquisition's events unravel. His mysterious nature takes the spotlight once again as he reveals his plans to restore the world of the ancient elves, a move that carries dark implications for the people of Thedas today.

Solas shifts from a trusted ally to a powerful opponent, though the full extent of his antagonism remains unclear – is he the only threat, or does something greater lurk in the shadows?

Red Lyrium & Its Perils

Red Lyrium, a substance both enticing and perilous, plays a significant role in Veilguard's story. Its importance dates back to previous encounters in the Dragon Age universe, notably in Dragon Age 2, where its corrupting influence left a lasting scar.

As players explore Veilguard, they witness the insidious nature of Red Lyrium, seeing how it distorts minds and bodies with alarming speed. While its magical properties tempt, its use exacts a heavy toll, leading to addiction and descent into madness.

New Hero & Old Friends

Veilguard introduces players to a new hero: the Veilguard, tasked with protecting the land from threats. While the story aims to welcome newcomers, those familiar with the lore and character dynamics from previous games, especially encounters with Solas in Inquisition, gain deeper insight into unfolding events.

Alongside new protagonists, Veilguard brings back familiar faces like Solas and possibly Varric. Their return highlights the interconnectedness of Thedas's inhabitants, weaving a complex web of alliances and betrayals that define the Dragon Age saga.

And that's everything we know so far about Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Are you as hyped as we are?