Dragon Age: The Veilguard may not be an open-world game in the traditional sense, but it offers a rich, exploration-focused experience with carefully designed levels that encourage adventure and discovery. While many players may expect an open-world RPG format similar to recent trends in the genre, BioWare has instead opted for a series of interconnected, expansive levels, each with its secrets, side quests, and alternate pathways. This approach reflects the structured, story-driven exploration that has defined previous Dragon Age titles, with an updated twist on navigation and connectivity.
In The Veilguard, players won’t traverse one seamless open world but will explore large, self-contained areas connected through “The Crossroads.” This feature is a central hub, enabling players to travel between levels via magical portals. The Crossroads is also an explorable zone, filled with hidden items, collectible statuettes, and enemies. Each new level must be unlocked via portals, but once opened, players can freely use fast travel to return to any previously explored region.
This design retains the depth and expansiveness of an open world without sacrificing the detailed, narrative-focused level design that fans have come to love from Dragon Age games. It also allows BioWare to focus on crafting memorable locations with intricate layouts that suit the game’s lore and themes.
The areas in The Veilguard are designed to be large enough to satisfy exploration needs, featuring diverse routes, hidden quests, and secrets that encourage players to revisit and re-explore as they progress. Revisiting areas within the Crossroads or accessing new portals can reveal fresh insights, add new challenges, and expand the game’s universe in ways unique to this setup.
For fans who enjoy the balance between structured storylines and free exploration, Dragon Age: The Veilguard promises an experience accessible to newcomers and profoundly engaging for long-time fans of the series.