GamesRPGDragon AgeDragon Age 4BioWare explains why Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s visuals aren’t a diversion from the RPG series' first 3 games, but rather a culmination of their unique art stylesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
GamesRPGDragon AgeDragon Age 4BioWare explains why Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s visuals aren’t a diversion from the RPG series' first 3 games, but rather a culmination of their unique art stylesWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: BioWare)

Dragon Age: The Veilguardvisually differs from its predecessors, butBioWaresays this wasn’t its intention - in fact, the new game’s art is meant to reflect the styles of all three preceding games.
The newDragon Agegame features abold new tone, one that has sparked controversy amid longtime fans of the beloved RPG series. Fans have criticized the upcoming title for looking “too cartoony,” highlighting everything from the characters to the way Darkspawn appear in The Veilguard - designs thatBioWarehas since described as"very intentional"reworks. Art director Matt Rhodes confirms as much himself in a recentinterviewwith EPN.
“I’ve had the opportunity to work on the entire Dragon Age franchise in various capacities,” he explains. “I’ve seen that in Origins, that was based on the idea of fantasy paintings. Dragon Age 2 is saying like Northern Renaissance paintings, Kurosawa films. Inquisition was a continuation of that, trying to finish that off … I’d call it almost like a really solid half step - with The Veilguard, we’re trying to finish that step.”
DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD Preview - Is This The Game of the Year? - Electric Playground - YouTubeWatch On
DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD Preview - Is This The Game of the Year? - Electric Playground - YouTube
DRAGON AGE: THE VEILGUARD Preview - Is This The Game of the Year? - Electric Playground - YouTube

Rhodes continues, describing how Dragon Age’s history influences its visuals: “The Dragon Age series is about people, it’s about characters, it’s about their struggles and successes and victories, and all that. What we wanted to do is create a visual language that made sure that technology didn’t get in the way of those characters. Uncanny valley … leans its head into the screen and says, ‘Hey, remember, you’re in a video game.'”
According to the director, BioWare wanted to avoid that dip into the “uncanny valley” in The Veilguard. “We wanted to take a very intentional step back away from that so that the characters could shine through and you could just jump right into the world and just enjoy it.” Ultimately, the team’s hope is that the new game can “still portray a very wide range of the human experience,” from “the grim and dark and horrific to the joyful and peaceful.”
Dragon Age: The Veilguard only carries over 3 decisions from Inquisition, but luckily your romance option is one of them
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