Alright, Dragon Age fans and RPG enthusiasts! Grab your swords, don your best armor, and get ready to dive into the much-anticipated Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Picture it: a decade-long wait, and we’re finally on the brink of unleashing epic fantasy mayhem, while simultaneously wondering how many "Dragon Age" references are going to be lost on us because we were off getting our degrees in Call of Duty instead.
Now, you might be asking yourself, “What’s this game about?” Well, I could tell you, but first, let’s talk about expectations. They’re higher than an elf’s ears at a rave! From what the critics are saying, Veilguard isn’t just another RPG set in a fantasy universe it’s a proper romp! 20 hours in, and the enthusiastic rants are overflowing like a mage at a potion party.
Pro Tips for Veilguard Newbies
Let’s get some straight talk in here before you get lost in a world where half of you is screaming "do a spell!" while the other half is frantically searching for the bathroom.
1. Play on Performance Mode
First things first, for the console folks: Performance Mode. Yes, really! It’s about as crucial as remembering to put on pants before leaving the house (seriously, do not forget that). With the art style sitting somewhere between "I just bought it at a sale" and "oh, is that an animated masterpiece?", you won’t lose sleep over pixel counts while battling. A smooth frame rate means you’re dodging and weaving like a ninja at a wedding rather than clunking around like an awkward relative trying to ‘dance.’
2. Quick Access to Skills
Now, I don’t need to remind you that combat is about as important as finding the next snack in an endless buffet. Hold the right shoulder button — it’s all about those combat skills! Quick access equals fewer ‘oh no, I forgot to cast a spell and now I’m on fire!’ moments. Sure, you’ll miss some flashy combos, but we can’t all be perfectionists.
3. Obstacle Abilities for the Win
Remember in Pokémon when you had to keep a specific character just because of their “HM moves”? Discard that memory! This game lets you tackle obstacles even if your buddy is off somewhere being useless. It’s like your friends who bail right before a party but still take all the good snacks home.
The Elder Sister of Shop Etiquette
Buy and Sell Often. Sounds simple, right? It’s like life — the more you sell, the more you grow! If only it applied to my garage. The merchants have a ranking system, and they’re the only ones giving you cash for those shiny objects you pick up in the middle of a battle. Don’t worry, they won’t take bribes… probably, unless you have an engaging side quest lined up.
Items to Ignore, Seriously
Oh, those “valuables.” Spoiler alert: They’re just glorified confetti. Honestly, you could make a documentary about useless clutter in video games, and these would be the stars! Don’t cling to those artifacts, folks—just take the cash! And for the record, no matter how appealing a Fashionable Scarf sounds, it’s not like you’re going to be gracing the cover of Vogue anytime soon.
Cutscenes à la Mode
Hide helmets during conversations. Here’s an obvious one: if you spend all that time creating a hero, you want to see their face, not feel like you’re stuck behind a medieval bike helmet. Toggle that helmet hide function and bask in your character’s well-crafted features while engaging in awkward small talk in-between quests. It’s a role-playing game, not a fencing lesson.
Fashion Meets Function
Let’s end on a high note: if you find cooler-looking armor but the stats say otherwise, fear not! Fashion is encouraged here. Equip your sparkly skin or your rad cape while reality says you’re still holding a weapon made of potato. Nothing like looking fierce while dodging spells like Neo!
Don’t Miss the Boat with Timed Conversations
And for the love of all things magical, don’t sleep on timed conversations! If you’re not checking in with your teammates after every thrilling quest, you’ll miss out on juicy gossip… or key lore that’ll make your next battle a cakewalk instead of a slaughter.
So, there you have it, folks! Dive into Dragon Age: The Veilguard on October 31 and carve your path through the unique landscapes of Thedas with all this fresh knowledge. Just remember: the more you know, the less you panic, and let’s face it, nobody wants to panic in a fantasy world unless it’s joyously over-dramatized! Gird your loins (figuratively, of course) and may you be the most stylish warrior this side of Ferelden!
A decade after the immense success of the fantasy role-playing epic Dragon Age: Inquisition, excitement builds for the eagerly anticipated sequel, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, set to launch soon. Enthusiastic anticipation has surged ever since gameplay was first showcased in June during the Summer Game Fest. Surprisingly, despite missing the allure of earlier titles, my brief playthrough last month quickly propelled Veilguard to the top of my must-play games for late 2024.
Now, after investing over 20 hours into this action RPG, I’m excited to share my experience so far, which has been nothing short of exceptional, fueling my eagerness to dive back in once the game officially drops on October 31. With the game boasting a lengthy 40-plus hours of content, I’ve compiled essential tips to help players prepare and navigate the journey smoothly.
Play on performance mode
The graphics mode toggle in the graphics settings lets you prioritize frame rate or visuals. I recommend frame rate.
If you’re playing on console, set your graphics settings to Performance mode. This option enhances the game’s frame rate, providing smoother gameplay by slightly reducing resolution. While Fidelity mode favors stunning visuals at the expense of frame rate, Veilguard’s distinct art style finds a happy medium; its graphics maintain their charm without sacrificing aesthetics, even at lower resolutions.
Combat in Veilguard feels exhilaratingly fluid, making frame rate a critical factor for an immersive experience. Ensuring the highest frame rate available is essential as you warp dodge across the battlefield, unleashing spells with precision and executing parries flawlessly.
Quick access to companion skills
Everything seen here can be sold for quick cash — in fact, there’s nothing else to do with it.
Scattered throughout the expansive world are countless shiny collectibles. Dubbed “valuables,” these items provide no actual benefit other than being sold, much like those in Inquisition. Ranging from a Fashionable Scarf to Veil Crystals and even a Smooth Pebble, rest assured they won’t help in crafting or trading. Merchants buy these trinkets from you with a simple button press, contributing to your rank with that shop, unlocking more desirable items over time.
Hide helmets during conversations
The armor appearance toggle is in the same place, one square lower.
Much like the helmet toggle, players can also customize the skins for weapons and armor. As you explore, you’ll uncover an array of different skins, allowing for greater customization. An eyeball icon next to each equipment slot enables you to switch between equipping stronger gear with enhanced stats while retaining your favorite skin, allowing for personal expression in gameplay.
Don’t miss out on timed conversations
Between quests, you’ll spend significant time in the Lighthouse, your party’s main hub. During this phase, you have the opportunity to engage with your companions, a chance to uncover their backstories or discuss recent events. Thankfully, the game’s map menu highlights each companion’s location and indicates if they have new dialogue options, saving you time.
Look for two types of icons on your map. The first, a speech bubble with an exclamation point, indicates that a new conversation is available. The second icon, featuring a speech bubble with clock hands, marks timed conversations that will not last indefinitely. Make it a priority to converse with your teammates before starting a mission to ensure you don’t miss any crucial dialogue.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard will be made available on Thursday, October 31, for PC, Xbox Series X and S, and PlayStation 5.
Erent weapon and armor skins that can enhance your character’s appearance without affecting stats. This customization feature allows you to maintain your desired aesthetic while ensuring you’re equipped for battle.
In the Character menu, beneath the weapons and armor slots, there’s a similar toggle option to switch between the default and unlocked appearances for both weapons and armor. This way, if you find an aesthetically pleasing skin, you can enjoy that look without sacrificing performance.
Whether you want to sport a classic look or something more extravagant, the customization options in Veilguard allow you to express your style while diving into the action. Embrace the creativity of character design, making your avatar feel unique in the expansive universe of the game.
Utilizing these various settings and options not only enriches your gameplay experience but also helps to streamline access to features that enhance combat and exploration. Happy adventuring in Veilguard!
**Key Tips for Playing Dragon Age: The Veilguard**
1. **Utilize Quick Access Abilities:**
– To effectively leverage your companions’ unique skills, hold the right shoulder button (RB) to open an ability wheel while pausing time. You can also quickly use your allies’ attacks by holding the left trigger and pressing the face buttons or using the d-pad.
2. **Interact with Obstacles Freely:**
– Each character has special skills to navigate obstacles. For instance, Bellara can repair broken devices. However, you can engage with various items even without the specific companion, promoting fluid exploration.
3. **Frequent Merchant Visits:**
– Certain merchants can be upgraded as you progress, indicated by the ability to buy trinkets. Increasing your rank with them unlocks better items, so sell and purchase frequently.
4. **Valuables Are Just for Selling:**
– Collectibles labeled as “valuables” serve no purpose beyond being sold for cash. You can trade them for currency at merchants to enhance your inventory.
5. **Hide Helmets During Conversations:**
– Use the eyeball icon next to your helmet slot in the Character menu to toggle helmet visibility during dialogues. This allows for more expressive character interactions if you want to show your character’s face.
6. **Toggle Weapon and Armor Skins:**
– Customize the appearance of your weapons and armor without sacrificing stats. Utilize the eyeball icons next to equipment slots to switch between stronger gear and your favorite skin.
7. **Engage in Timed Conversations:**
– In the Lighthouse, your party’s hub, interact with companions whenever possible. Look for icons on the map that signal new or timed conversations to ensure you don’t miss important story elements.
**Release Date:**
– Dragon Age: The Veilguard launches on Thursday, October 31, across platforms including PC and Xbox.
Make the most of these features and tips to enhance your gaming experience in Dragon Age: The Veilguard!