Mission-Based Narrative Unveiled for Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Release Expected in Late 2024

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will adopt a mission-based approach rather than an open-world format. Bioware has confirmed this shift in design.

During Summer Game Fest 2024, Corinne Busche, the game’s director, informed IGN that the new locations in The Veilguard are more linear than those in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

Busche mentioned that this choice enhanced the narrative experience but noted that some areas will open up for exploration.

Busche elaborated that the game is mission-based with highly curated content. Each element is hand-touched and carefully crafted to deliver the best narrative and moment-to-moment experience.

While levels can open up and offer varying degrees of exploration, with branching paths, mysteries, secrets, and optional content, the overall design remains focused on a mission-based structure.

Regarding side quests in Thedas, Busche explained that some are highly curated, particularly those involving the companions' motivations and experiences. Other quests, like investigating a missing family, offer more open environments for clues and solutions, emphasizing a flexible but curated approach.

Fans recently got a first look at the upcoming primary entry in BioWare’s fantasy role-playing series through an extended gameplay demo. The 20-minute walkthrough introduced features such as a new art style, a unique cast of companions, an updated combat system, and glimpses of new locations.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard still needs to have a release date, but it is expected to be available on PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, and PC in late 2024.