At first glance, the map inDragon Age: The Veilguardfeels fairly small, until one sees that each location on that map opens up to another map in a bit of a nesting doll fashion, with different areas to unlock for each region. Playing the game feels as though the world is a natural and comfortable size, with many nooks and crannies to explore and quests to complete. While it may not be as massive of an overworld asInquisitionhad, it can still feel larger than olderDragon Agetitles, and its attention to detail feels impressive.
InScreen Rant’s review ofDragon Age: The Veilguard, it is mentioned that the game picks up ten years afterInquisition’s storyline, and many characters from that story make appearances throughoutVeilguard.The locations in the game are not the same asInquisition, however. This time around, players are able to focus on learning more about different regions of Thedas, and beyond the world into the Fade. In fact, the main character’s home base is located within the Fade, at a Lighthouse protected from even the corruptive reach of the blight.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s Map Is Smaller Than Inquisition
Still Features Numerous Smaller Locations Within Locations
There wereseveral major regions inDragon Age: Inquisition, which each felt very large, creating a sprawling open world to explore that held secrets and missions. For many, the world not only seemed massive but could even be a bit overwhelming.Dragon Age: The Veilguardapproaches its section of Thedas with more of a curated approach, with various areas within areas.
Without taking the time to consider all the layers and depth that the game offers, it can look like there are onlysix major regions inThe Veilguard:
Arlathan Forest
Home of the Veil Jumpers, full of ruins of an ancient Elven city.
An ever-changing mausoleum maintained by the Mourn Watch.
Rivain
A beach-filled tropical paradise where the Lords of Fortune choose to call home.
Treviso
A merchant city with as many assassins as it has canals. Watched over by the Antivan Crows.
That number is actually a bit deceiving, though, due to how much these regions hold within them as smaller pockets of the areas.As Rook and their companions complete quests in these areas, additional portions will open up.Some of these could belimited to unique quests, such as visiting Taash’s mother’s home, but others will become new environments with side quests to find.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard Bringing Back This Controversial Faction Actually Makes Total Sense
Dragon Age is filled with unique fantastical factions, but one controversial faction that has existed since the beginning should always be included.
Dragon Age: The Veilguardis verymission-focused in its exploration. Rather than having every area of the map available to traverse immediately, Rook needs to have a reason to arrive in the various locations and complete initial story missions before players can then begin to explore more freely. As players complete these missions, the game will notify players that a specific region is now able to be explored and that there are new missions to find within.
The Eluvian Room And Fast Travel Points Make For Simple Navigation
Quick And Easy To Get Where Rook Needs To Be
Navigation for the world inDragon Age: The Veilguardis designed to be a very easy game mechanic. From the world map, players can fast travel to any unlocked major region, as long as they are not in combat. Then, there is a local map where players can fast travel throughout that area.Once the “Exploration Region” is unlocked for a location, Rook can feel free to explore the regions to find new quests, vendors, and plenty of secretsthat can help along the way.
Rook and their companions have a home base at the Lighthouse, which can be reached at any time from the world map. Players can even decorate, to an extent, within the Lighthouse and will see companions slowly decorate their rooms through story progression. The Lighthouse is also where players can access the Crossroads, which is a hub of various Eluvian connections to areas in Thedas.
Do You Need To Play The Other Dragon Age Games Before The Veilguard?
The fourth entry in a series can be a daunting place to start, but Dragon Age: The Veilguard has many things that could draw people to it.
WhileThe Veilguardmay have a smaller map size overall thanInquisitiondid, this is still a large world to explore, and it feels as though it is just the right size. Perhaps partly because, this time, players are controlling a small group with Rook and their companions rather than a character who is leading armies, focusing on a more intimate approach with smaller communities and areas makes sense. There is still plenty of talk of more distant reaches of Thedas through missives received and other communications, but Rook should have a focus on simply going where they are needed inDragon Age: The Veilguard.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: Dreadwolf is the fourth entry in the Dragon Age franchise and a sequel to 2014’s Dragon Age: Inquisition. A classic character, Solas, will return as the new game’s antagonist. The game will retain many of the series' staples, such as multiple dialogue options, party choices, romantic options, and more. Dreadwolf will act as the first direct sequel in the Dragon Age franchise.
