First, hats off to what has to be the most advanced character creation system ever brought to video games. It’s possible to spend hours just fine-tuning the look of your character as everything from bone structure to tissue placement is considered from every angle. The character creator is also fully inclusive, not only in terms of race but also gender in its inclusion of nonbinary pronouns and flexibility with physical characteristics like hairstyles. Before the game even begins, there’s an effort to make The Veilguard feel personal and truly put the gamer behind the character.
Narratively, the game takes place a decade after the events of Inquisition and immediately follows up on the post-credit scene of that game, which sees former companion Solas revealed as the elven god of betrayal, attempt to tear down the Veil, a magical barrier that separates mortals from the demon realm. The action begins quickly, and players familiar with the franchise will quickly find themselves impressed by the combat and traversal features, which are best seen in the Dragon Age games. The same goes for the impressive details that create a sense of awe and feel visually distinct in an era where gamers have their pick of visually impressive fantasy games. But this is BioWare, of course, and the real treat is in the journey, which is nothing without the bonds formed with your companions. Of the six available companions, each offers a unique skill set and personality, and unlike previous games in the series, going for the seemingly agreeable response in the dialogue trees won’t always grant players the response they wish. There is greater attention to character traits here, which makes the connections all the more exciting because it isn’t simply a game of playing nice. Additionally, the portals are a welcome travel feature, as is the ability to access companions’ special powersets from an open menu. While some may miss the more politically charged narrative of its predecessor, The Veilguard feels like a refreshing addition to the series that’s still heavy on lore but doesn’t feel too dense to distract from the pure pleasure of killing demons. If there’s a single word to describe Dragon Age: The Veilguard that signifies its place as TIME’s game of the year it would be: fulfilling.
