Dragon Age: The Veilguard Changes How Some Side Quests Work

Later this fall, BioWare and EA’s Dragon Age: The Veilguard will finally give gamers a look at how the world of Thedas has changed in the decade since Dragon Age: Inquisition took place. But if the latest extended gameplay preview is any indication, Thedas hasn’t been changed for the better. However, the storytelling of the game itself appears to be more refined.

Via IGN, The Veilguard co-directors Corinne Busche and John Epler hosted a 22-minute gameplay video that takes place deep into the story. In this side quest, the player character, Rook, agrees to help his companion, Davrin, complete a personal mission of revenge. The directors also pick up two additional side quests to procure medical supplies for the Grey Wardens and to locate a few of their missing members. This was meant to illustrate that these missions are more organically placed in the story, rather than unrelated events.

Additionally, the Crossroads is no longer a place of refuge thanks to the war between the game’s antagonist, Solas, and the gods. Rook and his companions have to fight their way through the area before they arrive at Hossberg, an area that has been overrun by the Blight.

Thanks to the Blight, the Darkspawn enemies are much more formidable in this preview, and Rook even perishes at one point before getting revived. The directors noted that they are giving the companions more autonomy in their character arcs, as demonstrated by Davrin separating himself from the player’s party to go on ahead to confront his nemesis, the Gloom Howler.

Among the other details, faction shops–including the Grey Warden’s–can be upgraded to give the players more enticing rewards. The areas are also designed to be revisited after the missions, if gamers are interested in searching for hidden secrets and treasures.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be released on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC on October 31.