There were plenty of hype-worthy trailers to come out ofthe Xbox Games Showcaseon June 9, such as the reveals forDoom: The Dark AgesandGears of War: E-Day. One trailer that seems to have elicited almost nothing but complaints, however, was thereveal for BioWare’s nextDragon Agegame, now titledDragon Age: The Veilguard, which has accrued approximately 198,000 dislikes on YouTube compared to 35,000 likes.
As for why fans have reacted so negatively to the reveal, it appears to stem from the trailer’s tone. DespiteDragon Agebeing a dark fantasy series, this cinematic trailer is anything but dark, going for a more comical and humourous take on its rundown ofVeilguard‘s cast of characters. It feels more like something you’d see in aBorderlandsgame or an announcement for a new hero shooter. I’ve personally not played any of the previousDragon Agegames, but even I can tell this tone is jarringly different to the rest of the series.
Some of the YouTube comments have also made unfavourable comparisons to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the 2016Suicide Squadmovie, and mobile titleRaid: Shadow Legends. Plus, the overall artstyle is slightly cartoonier when compared to otherDragon Agegames. You honestly could be forgiven this is not the same game BioWare’s been teasing for the last six years.Previousteaser trailershad a far more serious tone that hint at a dark and dangerous journey, and not a fun, lighthearted romp like the newest one does.
The good news is BioWare has a chance to turn things around withthe gameplay revealtaking place later today at 8am PT / 11am EDT / 4pm BST. It’s entirely possible the new trailer isn’t indicative of whatThe Veilguardis actually like. In fact, those who’ve already got to sampleThe Veilguardfor themselves have suggested this is the case.One Bria LaVorgna, a member of the game’s Community Council, said on Twitter, “As someone who’s played some ofVeilguard, if you want [Dragon Age: Origins]-like horror… it’s there. Trust me. All of the environments I got to experience were varied and very much felt likeDragon Age, including the new places. I think Tuesday’s gameplay reveal will tone set for the game well.”
Another council member,Twitter user sairaspooks, concurred, adding, “The gameplay reveal capturesDragon Age’s classic dark elements! The horror & gore is back, you won’t be disappointed.”Dragon Agecreator David Gaider, who left BioWare in 2016, also shared his two cents on the trailer: “Interesting tone choice… though the art style ofDAtrailers has never really matched the games, so that doesn’t mean much.”
With any luck, it will turn out the reveal just made a bad first impression, and BioWare’s gameplay demonstration will show off theDragon Agegame fans have been waiting for. Expectations were already high for this considering it’s been almost a decade since the last entry,Dragon Age: Inquisition. Development, however, seems to have been tumultuous, what with the sudden departures of key staff members like Casey Hudson, BioWare’s general manager, and Mark Darrah,Dragon Age‘s executive producer. BioWare was also one of the many studios to behit with layoffs in 2023, eliminating approximately 50 roles.
