Hey everyone- I do want to make a quick correction- as of right now the option that I was talking about, which gives a 'you chose X path', is NOT actually able to be turned off! Or at least when I tried now, I couldn't figure it out. RIP.
Damn, I wasn't planning on disabling them but I can definitely see how having the game spell out the impact of a choice could remove the wonder of discovery for some people. I imagine patching in that option could be pretty easy, though, so hopefully we see them include that in a post-release patch.
I was watching a gameplay where Harding was clearly anxious around Rook and the subject of her new powers. And then the tooltip pops up and says "HARDING IS FEELING ANXIOUS ABOUT HER NEW POWERS" nooo, really...why is it necessary to spell it out?!
Saddly I can't feel like i enjoyed this game as much as past games. It felt like Disney's take on dragon age something weird it felt off. However I do enjoy the fact that you enjoyed it, my opinion is simply personal.
@@garycannon4644 considering most of them have been yapping about the series "going woke" when the original games gave us bisexual romance options in 2009 (( when queer folks were still HIGHLY stigmatised and seen as gross by the majority )) says no, they haven't lived and breathed the games so much as stuck their head in the metaphorical sand
@garycannon4644 there is an extreme heavy difference between a fan critiquing a company and a Twitter gooner who is upset about trans scars and the fact they can't bust to a fiction character.
Hiiiiii im coming back after finishing the game. I understand now your bit about asking solasmancers to take their time. Im not going to spoil anything, just saying that every romance in this game was robbed, including inky's.
"Veilguard isn't perfect, but that doesn't change the fact that I still love it." I think this will be the general consensus for us fans who watch Caitie's channel. Like we all know that we're going to play this game because of the lore and story and the emotions that this franchise has made us feel. It won't be a game for everyone, but from Caitie's review I feel like this game was made for us in mind and I'm so thankful that there's still a small community of the Dragon Age who will definitely enjoy the game.
For real. I’ve been trying to say this on those ‘review’ channels who just post reactive things to get views. I’d take the reviews of channels dedicated to BioWare/dragon age over channels who’ve probably played the game once and decided to join the hate bandwagon.
Honestly, I'd consider it a mantra of the franchise for better or worse. I'm always jumping in to a new DA game not with the expectation of it being the same, but with the expectation of it trying something different.
I was really hopeful after your emotional review - but it only made the letdown worse. It's just so bland and hollow.. not to mention how they deal with all the games that came before. How you can have have so much faith in this franchise going forward I have absolutely no clue
I felt deceived by this review. It's... so much worse than what she describes. It's a shame since I'm probably as much of a Dragon Age fan as she is, but I felt the exact opposite in every single way. I cannot understand how someone can call Veilguard a love letter.
So I am an older gamer. I having played tt rpgs & video games since the 80s. I know exactly what you mean about Dragon Age having your number and helping you through things in a way other games don't. Thank you for all your hard work.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for covering the dragon age games with such love and respect. Thedas has been my refuge over the years in ways i can't even describe, so the ending really touched me. I'm inmensly grateful to have found this games and your channel. And beyond hyped to delve into this world one more time!!! DRAGON AGE THE VEILGUARD LET'S GOOO
"I know Veilguard isn't perfect, but it was perfect for me." This is so touching, Ghil, thanks for sharing your experience with the game. I'm even more excited to get my hands on it and enjoy your future lore analysis. Edit: One aspect I'm curious about is how necessary the approval clarification messages are (e.g. "Varric noticed you prefer action", etc). I kinda wanna turn them off and let character behavior inform the impression of how they feel. Would I miss out on critical context by doing so?
@@sonnenblumefrau2048 Essentially paid review or especially biased (favorably so) towards a certain product. Seems apt in this case, given that early reviews towards this game is essentially a case of access journalism.
@@Goony1246 Are you just going around and commenting negative things on all DAV videos? Did you actually listen to what she had to say, and more importantly, HOW she said it? There is no chance, especially if you follow and are a fan of this channel, that you'd be questioning her dedication and honest emotions in this video.
I hate to say this, as a massive DA and BioWare fan, but the writing decisions with Veilguard in relation to the plot, characters, and overall franchise have been (in my opinion) abysmal. I won’t provide spoilers, seeing as this is a non-spoiler video, but all I can say is I’ve been left disappointed and I almost regret waiting ten years for this game. I genuinely feel as if I’ve been slapped in the face by some of the choices BioWare made in the writers room. (BTW I am not referring to any external IRL political stuff in this comment) Veilguard as it’s own thing is a fine game (not great or good just fine), but IMO as a follow up to DAI (and by extension what came before it) I found it extremely lacking. I’m happy you and others liked it, genuinely, but I just can’t hop on that boat.
Same and it makes me quite sad. Especially after seeing the concept art for Joplin. We could have had such a great game (in terms of lore and worldbuilding at least). I feel for Gaider too
I finished it last night and I was balling my eyes out for hours… that’s how angry and disappointed I was. I don’t know who wrote this.. It felt like a 15year old straight out of therapy fanfic… The characters are flat and non believable, everything is extremely repetitive and cautious. The lore is ruined. It seems like the writers forgot or simply didn’t give a sh*t to the events happening even in the last game. When Morrigan told us how she became a vessel for Mythal …. I felt my brain shutting down. Didn’t we have the well of sorrow? Why it’s never mentioned? And it’s just a tiny thing among the ocean of disrespect. The romance was painfully boring and my oh my… the sex scene with Davrin at that moment left me feeling disgusted… When my heart was Brocken by the events. The authors decided to patch it with sex… so much for the therapy language in the game… F* it. It has killed my favorite franchise forever.
I'm gonna be real, your review is the only one I care about. I think we relate to the games very similarly and keep coming back to it for similar reason (and we both are in behavioral health which I think is a funny coincidence!!) so hearing you say it hits all the right beats for you is all I need in the way of reassurance. Thank you so much!!
Thank you for reviewing the game, I know I can trust you on this. Your closing statement did move me to tears, but it makes me so happy to know that there are people out there that feel so strongly about Dragon Age. Thank you for the advice also, I will definitely make sure to enjoy the game to the fullest -- a first, blind playthrough doesnt happen every day.
Your closing statement made me cry, lol. As another diehard fan of 10 years, who devoured these games after I finished DAI (and who romanced Solas...what, 12 times now?), I've been dreaming about this day. Catie, I'm so happy you got to play it and all of your questions about what happens next were answered. I didn't wait 10 years for a perfect game, I waited 10 years to finish a story. A story that means so, so much to me. A few more days and the chapter closes!
My prediction *POSSIBLE SPOILER* U will need to find all 6 solas memories (that leaked from achievement list) Unless they are mandatory to collect as a story progression (I dont think they are from multiple reasons) I bet that they are equivalent of codex from trespasser
I started out liking the game and then... idk... as I progressed further I found myself getting more annoyed by things. But as a long time fan of your channel, it was nice to hear your excitement and enjoyment in your voice. Maybe I'll give the game another chance.
Same exact thing happened to me! I still haven’t finished it bleh I loved it at first, it was new and it was dragon age, but then the sense of something being off just kept building and now I feel like I’m just trudging through the game, and that’s so sad for me! When I first played inquisition after origins and da2 I couldn’t put inquisition down. I sped through my first playthrough (and 2nd lol) obsessively. Since then I’ve played every game over 10 times (over 15 for origins). But veilguard? I can’t even get through my first playthrough without wanting to go back to inquisition. I thought I would love this game. I wanted to love it. Maybe I’ll get a second wind? I’m determined to finish at least one playthrough
I’m having fun a bit, but I really do not like Taash. Taash is a complete hypocrite. Hates when they are labeled an idea, but will quickly insult Emmerich for being a “Death Mage”. Taash is very immature. Teenage like.
"setting a bone I didn't know was broken" is such a remarkably poignant and articulate way to summarizing how I feel about Bioware games. Great review Ghil.
"Veilguard isn't perfect, but that doesn't change the fact that I still love it." That's the thing - there's not a single video game (or other piece of media) that's perfect. It's impossible for them to not have at least a few objective flaws, because their creators are living creatures which are flawed. In line with this, every Dragon Age has flaws but doesn't stop them being among my favourite games and IPs.
This is true. I just wish I could excuse the hard fumbles this game has, the changes to design, and the fact it's not what I wanted both before inquisition and now. I hope people paying full price for this actually find something they like/enjoy, if I ever pick it up I won't be doing so till it's under half off probably.
Phew, that that couple minutes I could feel the emotion and feel the love for the series that I think you've shown on your channel. I was very similar in my playthroughs of the Dragon age games, each one hitting a point that i didn't really realize until i looked back in hindsight. the series became such a flagship for me because in this world the people in it felt like just that: People. Thank you for loving the series, for being unapologetic about it, and for providing us with content here and on Split the veil! To all the STV episodes to come!
Now that I've finished your video, I just wanted to highlight the wisdom in the last couple minutes of it. I, myself, realized a year or so ago that I use RPGs and my own fanfiction writing to confront realities about my life that I'm not comfortable processing directly, and that perhaps that is part of the reason why Dragon Age in particular means so much to me. I was very touched by your final words, so thank you for showing that vulnerability and honesty.
I feel so relieved after listening to your and Kala Elizabeth's review of the game as I share a lot of the same opinions about all the games as you guys, so I feel content in knowing that Veilguard is going to hit the same way the previous games did. Not perfect, but still loved. I can't wait to experience the newest chapter of this story!
Catie, I cried alongside you in the video ending. Dragon Age hás always hit a special spot in my heart, and you expressed that so well. Cant wait to cry a river with Veilguard
Wow... Thank you so much for your review of Veilguard. I can fully understand what you mean about "An End." Hearing you get emotional was relatable and I really felt what you met. You have been a port in the storm for myself for many years as I watched and rewatched all of your content. Dreaming of the day I could final play DA4 or Veilguard. I'm still super excited to play this game and experience the story for myself. Thank you Caitie. ❤
Sorry, but after finishing the game, I was so disappointed, that I don't really care about the game's lore anymore. I don't want to believe it, but the Bioware of old is gone. 😢
Right? I don’t know what she’s talking about.. How is this game good? I was excited and took 2 weeks of paid vacation. What a disappointment. This game isn’t canon for me.
@lcicada Well, you don't really get to decide what is or isn't canon. That's not how it works. Also, you took PTO for a video game? Just seems a bit weird to me for people to invest so much time into a new game they haven't tried yet. You'd have been better off trying it out first before doing that. Tbh. So it's not really the games fault in that regard.
@@HeirofAetherso if they took PTO and had nothing but good things to say about veilguard you would be mocking them about it? You only seem to reply to comments with something critical to say about this review or the game itself. Do better.
@hansno1475 No, my statement remains the same. Using PTO to play video games is foolishness at best and irresponsible at worst. I mean, you do you dude, but you might try spreading your time out better than spending it all on a game they claim they didn't even really like in the first place, just seems weird to me. Hope that clarifies things, bud. Have a good night 😁
@@HeirofAether yeah and I suppose you’d speak of Ghil taking time off from her job to make dragon age content in the same way? Or any other DA content creator currently banging the ‘veilguard is good!’ drum? You can just admit you’re a hypocrite you know, the grapes aren’t that sour. Once again, bud. Do better.
I’ve watched you for years, and your heartfelt ending speech just brings back all the things that this series has helped me to feel through and enjoy. Genuinely wish you the world and may all of us Dragon Age fans stick together.
I want to say thank you for very fair and honest review. You validated a lot of my own concerns and expectations so super big thanks for that. Also just wanna say I have loved your DA content for years and I think the community would not be the same without your presence.
This is a great review, IMO. You say, "how can I be impartial," but this is a balanced and fair review in my perspective - being a long-term fan doesn't exclude impartiality, and in fact informs a better review. I've been a fan since Origins and have a similar position to yours with the previous games, and this review is frankly quite informative. You covered DAV's strengths and weak spots fairly and have relayed some important information to fans and newcomers. For my part, you confirmed what I suspected: that the game has suffered some cuts for time or budget, and that some parts of the story don't have enough breathing room. I'm probably not going to go for the Emmrich romance route but am glad to hear that it's great and seems strongly-written. The length of the game also sounds about right, closer to Origins than to DAI (which bloated a lot with billions of side quests). It's very informative as a whole! I can hear your excitement throughout, and perhaps hints of bittersweet acceptance of the ending at the end there. Oh boy. This one's a ride, isn't it? The way you talk about the finality of the ending chapter says a lot. Don't worry about your gameplay review because you used super easy mode for exactly what it's for, that's valid as playing on hard or nightmare. lol
Dragon age is something that means a lot to me. My dad had just divorced my stepmom and my life went upside down for the second time. I was 14. My dad got DA2. And I replayed that game. Over. And over. And over. And then DAI came out. And I to this day play it all the time. I love these games. My default game is DAI (which will probably change now) I keep my PS3 so that I can replay DAO and DA2 literally that’s why. I’m so freaking happy that it’s finally here.
I got so emotional watching this!!! Your channel was integral to me discovering and falling in love with dragon age, and to see us finally reach this moment is incredible. Your parting message has me feeling all sorts of emotions, and I'm so happy you got to experience this 🥺
Are there any plans to do an all spoiler full review? im curious to know what some of the things you hinted at were exactly, and maybe a deeper discussion on what you loved about the game Your the only reviewer that said what i was feeling and loved this game despite its flaws, cause i believe this is still a good game and i wouldnt label it a "disappointment" just cause its not perfect
ive been going back and rewatching ALL of your lore videos the last couple weeks to keep me going so your review was one of the ones i was looking forward to thank you so much for all your hard work 🥰
ohhh Caitie, thank you so much for all the work you do and for caring so much about this. I can never thank you enough for how your content help me through most of my growing up, i started waiting for this game at 12 and now I'm turning 21 in a few weeks. im so excited about the game and so thankful for coming across your videos
Thank you for your heartfelt review. These games have meant so much to me since I found Origins in my teens. Midnight releases for both DA2 and Inquisition and I share many of those feelings. The end of your video has me emotional to even start up this game on Thursday. I know I am going to cry just knowing what it is. I only discovered your channel recently, but thank you for your work and I can't wait to see what you make and bring in the future! Ma serannas!
@@vabbi_1 hahahahaha we don’t need to trust Asmongold for anything considering the game has been out for 3 weeks, the OP is totally correct and your seething makes it even funnier
This straight up made me cry. I feel so deeply about the story your shared at the end. These games gave me perspective and let me know I was not alone at so many crucial moments in my own life. Thank you for sharing, Ghil. ❤
I watched this review before playing and felt seen by your realization that the games were an emotional outlet for you when otherwise bottling feelings up, because I feel very much the same. Now, it's been an hour since I've finished Veilguard and I'm still not done ugly crying and had to come back to leave a comment. I'm left with that same feeling of bittersweet catharsis - happy that I enjoyed the game, that the conclusion was satisfying, but sad that this arc is over and sad that it brought so many feelings up I wasnt aware I was holding in. So, yeah. Veilguard was perfect for me too.
hey i discovered your channel because of this video and i have to say dont be anxious or afraid about how your opinions come off, i can tell you're very invested into the game and your love for it and the series seeps off in every word and expression.
Will you be making a spoiler-y review? 40 hours also seems pretty dang small, but I also think it's around what you get for DAI if you set aside side-quests and companion stories.
I recently did a Nightmare run of Inquisition (only major companion quests) + tresspasser in ~35 hours. Now that is knowing what I am doing, but from this review... I am plently excited/anxious to play...
@@GhilDirthalen👍 that's great to hear!! I'm excited to give it a listen! At the very least, I hope your infectious enthusiasm is catching and will keep trying to get it!
I tried to like this game i really did. But this is going to be the first dragon age i wont be doing a 2nd play through of because i cant bring myself to make choices that have 0 impact whatsoever on the late game (except if companions die or not which is a whatever burger because the companions have such bad writing except for a few)
Honestly, its the first time I ever saw your content (I'm not sure why, but something i'll rectify asap!!) But a review like yours was one i was waiting for, because like you the past dragon age games mean so much to me. They helped me grow and mature into the person i am today. Seeing that someone who loves the dragon age games gave it a greenlight and calling it "perfect for me" is all I needed. I was always going to buy this game, but now I can do it happily knowing my favourite game series is back to its former glory.
Apparently I’ve been a member for over 3 years now, which is wild because it feels like yesterday that I joined. Anyway, really glad to see your review!
(Warning for lore nerds who dont want to be spoiled, IGN mentioned a place you go to. And like, to anyone else, it wouldn't be a spoiler. But its definitely a significant place that you might not wanna know about.) For anyone whose concerned about gameplay. I think its reassuring that people who dont care about dragon age the way that I care, liked the game. To me, that means that the gameplay was compelling enough for them to keep playing. Also, as a side note, I really like the community you fostered. Its nice to go through the comments and see hope and excitement, instead of the cynicism ive seen in other places. Im so so so so so excited for this game and im really happy that you loved it. Im glad I get to share that excitement with other people.
I think we've gotten to a point where the positivity of any game experience is automatically undermined by a class of consumers seeking to criticize first and enjoy later. To all of you; this is a genuine invitation to start enjoying things again, and stop worrying about something being "enough." You sound tired. Stop ruining games for yourself and others, and try enjoying the great experiences developers put into their games. Because we all know even if the game looks and plays like a PS1 game y'all are gonna drop 100s of hours playing it regardless... This isn't about telling people to not have opinions of the game, but understand that the more you look for flaws in any game the more you will find them. I also do not think it needs to be like an Origins 2, "go back to their roots," I just think the game needs to be what Bioware does best- hella good branching narrative, good characters, good stakes, beautiful score, good questing, and something that makes you think and care. The combat will never satisfy everyone. I know they are changing it up again, and I hope they do it well, but that's not what sticks with a person over the years- it's the story people think about!
Now that I've time to finish the game and form my own opinions, I'm actually really interested in hearing you talk more about how you hated Rook during your time on the community council and how Rook changed from then. I'm so curious to hear how they're different and what feedback the devs might have taken.
Having played, I can forgive most of it due to taste… except the writing. “It’s quiet. Too quiet.” “That’s awful. Someone should stop them!” There are so many groan worthy one liners. This team had no experience writing for this kind of lore heavy game.
"Swooping is bad" "Somebody's been drinking" "It's pretty late" "Well....shit" DA is full of lines like these, sometimes there's a line or two that's awful but a majority of the companions have such *good* dialogue between each other and you.
@hansno1475 I do, in fact, enjoy this game quite a lot. Is it perfect? No, nothing ever is, not even Origins. But it's also not bad, nor is it average, it's good.
@@HeirofAether I think I have to detach myself from how much I enjoy the first three as well as what BioWare formally was in order to lend this thing any more credence. Perhaps it does deserve more credit than I’m giving it but I can’t really see that right now. I’m a bit too focused on the devs’ condescending responses to valid criticisms from longtime fans. I wish EA luck in attracting its coveted new era of fans to the fourth or fifth installment of BioWare’s most celebrated IPs. They’re really gonna need it.
I've very looking forward to this. It's perfect! 3 days until I and others get to experience the excitement we can all hear in your voice in the entire video. Thank you, Caitie! 💙💙
Thank you Caitie for this amazing review. I can't wait for Veilguard. Hearing your comments about the companions has me really excited. Was in tears at the end of the video hearing your final comments on how this means to you
Literally every other reviewer has told me this game is a below average game at best! Honestly, even die-hard Dragon Age fans has told me not to buy this and even the Biodrones on the subreddit has taken a shit on the game. Literally the exact opposite of a love-letter to the series. Rather it seems like the fans sees it as insult (mostly out of incompetence). Frankly, and I might steep out of line here, but it seems that you're just too invested in the world of Thedas to actually face the fact that this game is an unworthy sequel to the other games. I remember I had a similar period with DA2.
Your thoughtful insight was so appropriated, Caitie, along with your personal reflection at the end. I got teary hearing it! It's wonderful that Veilguard was perfect for you, I'm so glad.
Dont understand how someone who "loves" DA can call something that shits on everything DA was a loveletter. On the other hand as someone who works for/with Bioware and have early acces ... you cant say almost anything bad about it. (But that is problem with almost all recezents last years. You say something bad and you can say baybay to any early acces in future.)
My thoughts exactly. As somebody who has been an OG DA fan since I discovered it in August 2010, everything I've heard about this hallway simulator sounds like spit in the face of actual Dragon Age fans. "Have you ever been a fan of a series, but as time has gone on you've started to feel more and more as if the creators resent you? That they want new fans, and they're willing to lessen your enjoyment if it means broadening their appeal. Don't be an abused housewife, just fuckin' move on." - Patrician TV.
Caitie, that end! I cried a little 🥺❤ Loved this review and I know I’m gonna love the shit out of this game! Gonna take your advice to heart and not rush! 😄 Just a few more days!
Yours, Kala and Ashe are the reviews I was waiting for. You're DA fans making content for DA fans, and your review delivers that perfectly. You shouldn't have to "apologize" for making the content your audience follows you for. And your final words just put the finger in why Morrigan's DAO arc gets to me so much and why I'm so happy she returns again and again to the franchise. So thank you for the free therapy, lol.
I’m glad this game gave you what you were looking for. Genuinely. As a fan since origins, I don’t think it’s going to be what I’ve been hoping for, but I’m glad it found its audience
Gods, this review makes me cry happy tears. Thanks for the reminder Caitie, for us to take our time, enjoy it and really be present in our playing of the games. I can hear the tears in your voice and it makes me want to cry. Thank you for sharing this video with us. And happy birthday!!!
Caitie, I cried. Thank you. I am so ready to go back into this amazing world. Thank you for your spoiler free coverage, I could not have gone through this wait without it. ❤
10 hours in the game, and it the dialogue and pacing is just painful. I understand we are all bias and want to love Dragon Age, but it is not a good experience. Your review does seem to ignore a lot of negatives with the game, and even if we say we only play for the story....well, there hardly is any substance. It is so painfully basic.
@Dominicanadaa the complaints you have apply even harder to Inquisition. Also just because it isn't a good experience for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. I think it's a vast improvement over Inquisition and I'll take it for that because while neither are on the level of the 1st 2 atleast it's improving
@@CC-of5xl Inquisition was lightyears better then Veilguard. Also, just because YOU like something doesn't mean it's good, it just means you like it. People like to eat poop. I'm not using that as an expression either, they literally like eating it. The reality is that people like you (and the creator of this video) are so in love with Dragon Age that you refuse to see reason. You disregard any logical arguments or evidence that might contradict your positive feelings. In other words, you display the exact same "toxic positivity" that results in products like Veilguard getting made in the first place.
You believe the writing quality is above DA:I? I am not sure about that. I also think replayability will be limited in DA:V. I also noticed we do not really talk to NPCs casually in the places we go to, or get to ask many questions on a frequent basis. The areas are beautiful, but the NPCs just sort of stand there like an MMO. The game is fine on its own, but when compared to previous titles it falls very flat imo
@@CC-of5xland of course DA:I was 10 years ago, I would hope saying it has the same problems as DA:I wouldn't even be a thing if they listened to feedback properly. Our worldstates are also left behind so when we make new choices in this game, who is to say these will be forgotten as well if there is a sequel?
@Dominicanadaa again the things you said apply to DAI. DAI had non cinematic NPC conversations that felt AI generated. The main story was ridiculously bad especially without Trespasser. They basically side lined the Mage Templar conflict and turned every antagonist group into mindless cartoon versions of them self being controlled by the villain. The Red Templars and Venitori are watered down version of the Templars and Imperium. They took out their sympathetic and reasonable sides. And demons which were major sociological threats in the 1st 2 games were reduced to mindless mobs to kill.
Your content really helped me get through the long wait for this game. This was a wonderful and heartfelt review, I am SO excited to play the game myself. Thank you for everything, I'm looking forward to your future videos :))
Thank you so much, Caitie. I teared up right there with you. As a massive lore and story nerd, yours is the opinion I most value, and I cannot tell you how happy and excited I am to go back to Thedas once more! Please enjoy seeing the rest of us yell and gasp in the coming days!
That was similar to Mass Effect for me. No matter the critique or hate it got about the ending, no other game made me so connected to characters and crying at every turn in the end.
Your opinion excites me more than anyone's. Still Im a little terrified by other videos, especially the dialogue and story critiques of Skilled Up; his examples all felt very Marvelesque and Disney-y. Where the tone of previous games (and Tevinter Nights) was more Witchery/GameOfThronesy/LordOfTheRingsy... What's your opinion on the dialogues and stuff in that sense? Did you still experience a similar tone and quality compared to the other games and Tevinter Nights?
Caitie, I have been following your channel and content since its inception. You (and Jordan) have kept the love for all things Dragon Age (and Bioware) alive in my heart for years, and I cannot express to you how thrilled I am *for you* that you were able to get a review copy and that you loved the game. I've avoided nearly all pre release content and reviews, but I am making the exception for your review. Your opinion is, honestly, the only one I trust , and I thank you for sharing it. Setting aside one's biases isn't always easy, but I know you're speaking from an honest place in your heart. I wanted to stop for a second amidst all the excitement and just say thank you for your content, your resilience, your time, and your thoughts. You are a rockstar and an inspiration, and I look forward to all the upcoming Dragon Age discussions and content you will inevitably share with us. So, thank you, Caitie!!
That ending gave me goosebumps. I love how passionate you are and could listen to you talk for hours (i pretty much have at this point lol). Can’t wait to get my hands on it Thursday!
Platinumed it last night. ~75 hours, all quests in one playthrough (Dwarf Warrior Grey Warden, romanced Harding). Overall, pretty good, really happy it even exists. Good: Environments, skill trees, companion journeys, ending rewards completion, choices matter, sound design, ties in to "big" lore stuff from all 3 previous games, equipment variety and upgrade system, villains provide meaningful stakes Bad: Combat and "puzzles" are extremely repetitive. Not much enemy variety. Various bugs and AI issues. Writing is generally pretty basic or repetitive. Party members not being controllable or having health bars is obviously a big subtraction from previous games. Some major events from previous games that would be massively affected by revelations here aren't mentioned.
All I can say is. Dragon age has never been perfect. The fact that people who connect with the world of dragon age think it is worth it means more than a number.
I'm gonna be honest - I don't know you and this was the very first video of yours I have watched so far. Normally I don't really comment on videos or listen to reviews just because I want to have my own experiences and impressions but the last couple of months and weeks left me scared for the game itself. A lot of the "negativ" news had me asking myself if I would like this game, would the money be worth it or would I feel disappointed at the end of the day? I guess what I want to say is - thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts with us. It left me feeling relieved and hopeful for the time I'll eventually play this game and hearing a stranger talk with such love and passion about one of my favorite franchises gave even me the feels. Thank you again and stay safe!
Thank you. For all of your enthusiasm, for your care with spoilers, and for this video in particular. The ending really hit me since it made me think about my own resonance with the games. I just wanted you to know how glad I am that we have you in this community!
Catie!!! The ending made me so emotional! I am sobbing!!! I understand one million percent where you are coming from. Dragon Age has been like a campfire and a warm blanket most of my life. It feels like a second home, and has touched me in ways that no other media truly has on so many fronts, and I know it has for others as well and I truly love that about it. Thank you for being a beacon of positivity all of these years. We all appreciate you so much!
Absolutely phenomenal review, Ghil. I've been watching your content for years and for the most part, your views of the lore, fandom, theories, etc have been the same as mine. So, hearing you give this review is so relieving for me. It's been such a long wait with such a troubled development at times that I was afraid to get my hopes up, even seeing the bits we have since this summer. Thank you for this. And thank you for all your years of hard work. As always, I can't wait to see what you have to say about this installment going forward c:
Oh Caitie, you got me tearing up 🥹❤ I remember discovering your channel after DAI when I was hungry for Dragon Age content and eventually being in your streams. You've given this community such great resources and entertainment and it's been gratifying seeing you grow as a creator. Please know that even though this may feel like an end, it has been a hell of a ride and I for one am excited for this game and the future of your channel ❤
I love your review. You very clearly are someone who loves the franchise. Way more than I do at times lol. Keep being awesome and positive, always enjoy your content. :)
Im typing as i watch this video but like you i have immersed myself in this world. I experienced DAO in 2013 and since then i have been an Avid Dragon Age fan. Whether its what i wanted or not, I've waited 10 years for this this game. Thank you for being honest! Your review fills my heart with hope so far 🙏🏾
I haven't touched the Dragon Age series for 10 years and didn't really expect a sequel. But I remember a lot of the details and can't wait to see what happens next in Thedas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, really loved your review!
![Party banter [Davrin & Lucanis] | Dragon Age: Veilguard](/img/n.gif)
Hey everyone- I do want to make a quick correction- as of right now the option that I was talking about, which gives a 'you chose X path', is NOT actually able to be turned off! Or at least when I tried now, I couldn't figure it out. RIP.
Damn, I wasn't planning on disabling them but I can definitely see how having the game spell out the impact of a choice could remove the wonder of discovery for some people. I imagine patching in that option could be pretty easy, though, so hopefully we see them include that in a post-release patch.
I was watching a gameplay where Harding was clearly anxious around Rook and the subject of her new powers.
And then the tooltip pops up and says "HARDING IS FEELING ANXIOUS ABOUT HER NEW POWERS"
nooo, really...why is it necessary to spell it out?!
Saddly I can't feel like i enjoyed this game as much as past games. It felt like Disney's take on dragon age something weird it felt off. However I do enjoy the fact that you enjoyed it, my opinion is simply personal.
who can you trust more, angry twitter trolls or someone whos lived and breathed the series through ALL it's media?
What makes you think the angry twitter trolls havent lived and breathed the series as well? Dragon age is a pretty popular franchise you know.
Cause most of them dont know crap about the game àd saying woke when they see gay romance...@@garycannon4644
@@garycannon4644 considering most of them have been yapping about the series "going woke" when the original games gave us bisexual romance options in 2009 (( when queer folks were still HIGHLY stigmatised and seen as gross by the majority )) says no, they haven't lived and breathed the games so much as stuck their head in the metaphorical sand
With no offense intended to Caitie, the only person I'll trust is me when I'm playing the game dude
@garycannon4644 there is an extreme heavy difference between a fan critiquing a company and a Twitter gooner who is upset about trans scars and the fact they can't bust to a fiction character.
Hiiiiii im coming back after finishing the game. I understand now your bit about asking solasmancers to take their time. Im not going to spoil anything, just saying that every romance in this game was robbed, including inky's.
Omg Catie that ending was everything! 🥹
I loved it, I almost cried ❤🥹
@@NessG07 same here 🥺
@@NessG07not almost 😭🥺
Incredible
It really was. The entire “An End” segment sold me on the game more than anything else so far, I think.
"Veilguard isn't perfect, but that doesn't change the fact that I still love it."
I think this will be the general consensus for us fans who watch Caitie's channel. Like we all know that we're going to play this game because of the lore and story and the emotions that this franchise has made us feel. It won't be a game for everyone, but from Caitie's review I feel like this game was made for us in mind and I'm so thankful that there's still a small community of the Dragon Age who will definitely enjoy the game.
For real. I’ve been trying to say this on those ‘review’ channels who just post reactive things to get views. I’d take the reviews of channels dedicated to BioWare/dragon age over channels who’ve probably played the game once and decided to join the hate bandwagon.
Honestly, I'd consider it a mantra of the franchise for better or worse.
I'm always jumping in to a new DA game not with the expectation of it being the same, but with the expectation of it trying something different.
That's my feeling on the whole series!
yah its going to be bad :(
@@hexknives6352must be embarrassing to be so wrong lmao. Game is absolutely incredible.
I was really hopeful after your emotional review - but it only made the letdown worse. It's just so bland and hollow.. not to mention how they deal with all the games that came before. How you can have have so much faith in this franchise going forward I have absolutely no clue
I felt deceived by this review. It's... so much worse than what she describes. It's a shame since I'm probably as much of a Dragon Age fan as she is, but I felt the exact opposite in every single way. I cannot understand how someone can call Veilguard a love letter.
So I am an older gamer. I having played tt rpgs & video games since the 80s. I know exactly what you mean about Dragon Age having your number and helping you through things in a way other games don't. Thank you for all your hard work.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you so much for covering the dragon age games with such love and respect. Thedas has been my refuge over the years in ways i can't even describe, so the ending really touched me. I'm inmensly grateful to have found this games and your channel. And beyond hyped to delve into this world one more time!!! DRAGON AGE THE VEILGUARD LET'S GOOO
"I know Veilguard isn't perfect, but it was perfect for me." This is so touching, Ghil, thanks for sharing your experience with the game. I'm even more excited to get my hands on it and enjoy your future lore analysis.
Edit: One aspect I'm curious about is how necessary the approval clarification messages are (e.g. "Varric noticed you prefer action", etc). I kinda wanna turn them off and let character behavior inform the impression of how they feel. Would I miss out on critical context by doing so?
@@Goony1246 hell does shill mean? Is that a Gen Z thing? Second time I've seen that word.
@@sonnenblumefrau2048 Essentially paid review or especially biased (favorably so) towards a certain product.
Seems apt in this case, given that early reviews towards this game is essentially a case of access journalism.
@@sonnenblumefrau2048 it's a word used by little boys and fascists to attempt to delegitimise content they don't like. It means "paid to do x thing".
@@Goony1246 Are you just going around and commenting negative things on all DAV videos? Did you actually listen to what she had to say, and more importantly, HOW she said it? There is no chance, especially if you follow and are a fan of this channel, that you'd be questioning her dedication and honest emotions in this video.
Nah, turn them off! I didn't see one that felt like was something I needed to know?
I hate to say this, as a massive DA and BioWare fan, but the writing decisions with Veilguard in relation to the plot, characters, and overall franchise have been (in my opinion) abysmal. I won’t provide spoilers, seeing as this is a non-spoiler video, but all I can say is I’ve been left disappointed and I almost regret waiting ten years for this game. I genuinely feel as if I’ve been slapped in the face by some of the choices BioWare made in the writers room. (BTW I am not referring to any external IRL political stuff in this comment) Veilguard as it’s own thing is a fine game (not great or good just fine), but IMO as a follow up to DAI (and by extension what came before it) I found it extremely lacking. I’m happy you and others liked it, genuinely, but I just can’t hop on that boat.
Same and i love the series but ive been let down by veilguard
Same and it makes me quite sad. Especially after seeing the concept art for Joplin. We could have had such a great game (in terms of lore and worldbuilding at least). I feel for Gaider too
@@a.b.7817 Yeah, you can really feel his absence on the DA:TV writing staff.
100%
I finished it last night and I was balling my eyes out for hours… that’s how angry and disappointed I was. I don’t know who wrote this.. It felt like a 15year old straight out of therapy fanfic… The characters are flat and non believable, everything is extremely repetitive and cautious. The lore is ruined. It seems like the writers forgot or simply didn’t give a sh*t to the events happening even in the last game. When Morrigan told us how she became a vessel for Mythal …. I felt my brain shutting down. Didn’t we have the well of sorrow? Why it’s never mentioned? And it’s just a tiny thing among the ocean of disrespect. The romance was painfully boring and my oh my… the sex scene with Davrin at that moment left me feeling disgusted… When my heart was Brocken by the events. The authors decided to patch it with sex… so much for the therapy language in the game… F* it. It has killed my favorite franchise forever.
Anyone else hear the sheer excitement in Caitie's voice at the start? I am SO EXCITED FOR THIS GAME
And the sadness building up at the end...
Yes. Hearing the excitement of a true fan who has played has me even more hyped.
Yeah she breaksdown a little at the end too.
I'm gonna be real, your review is the only one I care about. I think we relate to the games very similarly and keep coming back to it for similar reason (and we both are in behavioral health which I think is a funny coincidence!!) so hearing you say it hits all the right beats for you is all I need in the way of reassurance. Thank you so much!!
SAME ; -;
Even though it is incredibly shady and unethical to "review" something you worked on?
so true!!
Same here, Caitie's opinion is the only one that really really matters! She knows what's in our hearts because it is also in hers
@@jenniferhanses ...She didn't work on it? At most she consulted on a finished product and has been up front about that
The way i came close to the screen to listen to the solavellans advice, this is so important to me haha
You too? Good to know, I was not alone. XD
ME TOO, WTH XD
same 😂 i felt so called out
Thank you for reviewing the game, I know I can trust you on this. Your closing statement did move me to tears, but it makes me so happy to know that there are people out there that feel so strongly about Dragon Age. Thank you for the advice also, I will definitely make sure to enjoy the game to the fullest -- a first, blind playthrough doesnt happen every day.
did you enjoy it or you died by cringe xD
Your closing statement made me cry, lol. As another diehard fan of 10 years, who devoured these games after I finished DAI (and who romanced Solas...what, 12 times now?), I've been dreaming about this day. Catie, I'm so happy you got to play it and all of your questions about what happens next were answered.
I didn't wait 10 years for a perfect game, I waited 10 years to finish a story. A story that means so, so much to me. A few more days and the chapter closes!
And thats the last DA vid ill be watching this week. You guys, we made it. Thank you so much for all your work Ghil! See you all on the other side.
that solavellan advice KILLED ME!!! i’m bawling
My prediction
*POSSIBLE SPOILER*
U will need to find all 6 solas memories (that leaked from achievement list)
Unless they are mandatory to collect as a story progression (I dont think they are from multiple reasons)
I bet that they are equivalent of codex from trespasser
@@aleksandramusia3563 wtf dude I'm glad I didn't click more
@@daughterofthedasThe comment didnt’t contain spoilers tho?
bawling over pixels...
Yours was the first review I looked for immediately, so excited to hear what you think!
I started out liking the game and then... idk... as I progressed further I found myself getting more annoyed by things. But as a long time fan of your channel, it was nice to hear your excitement and enjoyment in your voice. Maybe I'll give the game another chance.
What particularly annoyed you might I ask?
Same exact thing happened to me! I still haven’t finished it bleh
I loved it at first, it was new and it was dragon age, but then the sense of something being off just kept building and now I feel like I’m just trudging through the game, and that’s so sad for me!
When I first played inquisition after origins and da2 I couldn’t put inquisition down. I sped through my first playthrough (and 2nd lol) obsessively. Since then I’ve played every game over 10 times (over 15 for origins). But veilguard? I can’t even get through my first playthrough without wanting to go back to inquisition.
I thought I would love this game. I wanted to love it. Maybe I’ll get a second wind? I’m determined to finish at least one playthrough
I’m having fun a bit, but I really do not like Taash. Taash is a complete hypocrite. Hates when they are labeled an idea, but will quickly insult Emmerich for being a “Death Mage”. Taash is very immature. Teenage like.
"setting a bone I didn't know was broken" is such a remarkably poignant and articulate way to summarizing how I feel about Bioware games. Great review Ghil.
The ending of this vid made me tear up 🥺 I literally cannot wait to get back into Thedas again
Me too!
My eyes are definitely wet right now too
Your emotions at the end are so darn heartwarming, thank you for sharing.
"Veilguard isn't perfect, but that doesn't change the fact that I still love it."
That's the thing - there's not a single video game (or other piece of media) that's perfect. It's impossible for them to not have at least a few objective flaws, because their creators are living creatures which are flawed. In line with this, every Dragon Age has flaws but doesn't stop them being among my favourite games and IPs.
This is true. I just wish I could excuse the hard fumbles this game has, the changes to design, and the fact it's not what I wanted both before inquisition and now. I hope people paying full price for this actually find something they like/enjoy, if I ever pick it up I won't be doing so till it's under half off probably.
Hello Kitty Island Adventure was perfect game
Phew, that that couple minutes I could feel the emotion and feel the love for the series that I think you've shown on your channel. I was very similar in my playthroughs of the Dragon age games, each one hitting a point that i didn't really realize until i looked back in hindsight. the series became such a flagship for me because in this world the people in it felt like just that: People. Thank you for loving the series, for being unapologetic about it, and for providing us with content here and on Split the veil! To all the STV episodes to come!
Now that I've finished your video, I just wanted to highlight the wisdom in the last couple minutes of it. I, myself, realized a year or so ago that I use RPGs and my own fanfiction writing to confront realities about my life that I'm not comfortable processing directly, and that perhaps that is part of the reason why Dragon Age in particular means so much to me. I was very touched by your final words, so thank you for showing that vulnerability and honesty.
I feel so relieved after listening to your and Kala Elizabeth's review of the game as I share a lot of the same opinions about all the games as you guys, so I feel content in knowing that Veilguard is going to hit the same way the previous games did. Not perfect, but still loved. I can't wait to experience the newest chapter of this story!
Catie, I cried alongside you in the video ending. Dragon Age hás always hit a special spot in my heart, and you expressed that so well. Cant wait to cry a river with Veilguard
The only opinion I need has uploaded their review!! 🎉
Wow... Thank you so much for your review of Veilguard. I can fully understand what you mean about "An End." Hearing you get emotional was relatable and I really felt what you met. You have been a port in the storm for myself for many years as I watched and rewatched all of your content. Dreaming of the day I could final play DA4 or Veilguard. I'm still super excited to play this game and experience the story for myself.
Thank you Caitie. ❤
Been here day one and a fan for years. Thank you Caitie (and Jordan) for being my DA fix for these 10 years!
I love your review. Sincerity and vulnerability are in short supply. I hope your audience support and appreciate you.
Sorry, but after finishing the game, I was so disappointed, that I don't really care about the game's lore anymore.
I don't want to believe it, but the Bioware of old is gone. 😢
Right? I don’t know what she’s talking about..
How is this game good?
I was excited and took 2 weeks of paid vacation. What a disappointment. This game isn’t canon for me.
@lcicada Well, you don't really get to decide what is or isn't canon. That's not how it works.
Also, you took PTO for a video game? Just seems a bit weird to me for people to invest so much time into a new game they haven't tried yet. You'd have been better off trying it out first before doing that. Tbh. So it's not really the games fault in that regard.
@@HeirofAetherso if they took PTO and had nothing but good things to say about veilguard you would be mocking them about it? You only seem to reply to comments with something critical to say about this review or the game itself.
Do better.
@hansno1475 No, my statement remains the same. Using PTO to play video games is foolishness at best and irresponsible at worst. I mean, you do you dude, but you might try spreading your time out better than spending it all on a game they claim they didn't even really like in the first place, just seems weird to me.
Hope that clarifies things, bud. Have a good night 😁
@@HeirofAether yeah and I suppose you’d speak of Ghil taking time off from her job to make dragon age content in the same way? Or any other DA content creator currently banging the ‘veilguard is good!’ drum?
You can just admit you’re a hypocrite you know, the grapes aren’t that sour.
Once again, bud. Do better.
I’ve watched you for years, and your heartfelt ending speech just brings back all the things that this series has helped me to feel through and enjoy. Genuinely wish you the world and may all of us Dragon Age fans stick together.
I want to say thank you for very fair and honest review. You validated a lot of my own concerns and expectations so super big thanks for that. Also just wanna say I have loved your DA content for years and I think the community would not be the same without your presence.
Why are you making me cry! I’m at work!!
This is a great review, IMO. You say, "how can I be impartial," but this is a balanced and fair review in my perspective - being a long-term fan doesn't exclude impartiality, and in fact informs a better review.
I've been a fan since Origins and have a similar position to yours with the previous games, and this review is frankly quite informative. You covered DAV's strengths and weak spots fairly and have relayed some important information to fans and newcomers.
For my part, you confirmed what I suspected: that the game has suffered some cuts for time or budget, and that some parts of the story don't have enough breathing room. I'm probably not going to go for the Emmrich romance route but am glad to hear that it's great and seems strongly-written. The length of the game also sounds about right, closer to Origins than to DAI (which bloated a lot with billions of side quests). It's very informative as a whole!
I can hear your excitement throughout, and perhaps hints of bittersweet acceptance of the ending at the end there. Oh boy. This one's a ride, isn't it? The way you talk about the finality of the ending chapter says a lot.
Don't worry about your gameplay review because you used super easy mode for exactly what it's for, that's valid as playing on hard or nightmare. lol
Dragon age is something that means a lot to me. My dad had just divorced my stepmom and my life went upside down for the second time. I was 14. My dad got DA2. And I replayed that game. Over. And over. And over. And then DAI came out. And I to this day play it all the time. I love these games. My default game is DAI (which will probably change now) I keep my PS3 so that I can replay DAO and DA2 literally that’s why. I’m so freaking happy that it’s finally here.
Ghildirthalen! Thank you and Jack for keeping us afloat!! We appreciate you guys dearly!!
I got so emotional watching this!!! Your channel was integral to me discovering and falling in love with dragon age, and to see us finally reach this moment is incredible. Your parting message has me feeling all sorts of emotions, and I'm so happy you got to experience this 🥺
Are there any plans to do an all spoiler full review? im curious to know what some of the things you hinted at were exactly, and maybe a deeper discussion on what you loved about the game
Your the only reviewer that said what i was feeling and loved this game despite its flaws, cause i believe this is still a good game and i wouldnt label it a "disappointment" just cause its not perfect
ive been going back and rewatching ALL of your lore videos the last couple weeks to keep me going so your review was one of the ones i was looking forward to thank you so much for all your hard work 🥰
ohhh Caitie, thank you so much for all the work you do and for caring so much about this. I can never thank you enough for how your content help me through most of my growing up, i started waiting for this game at 12 and now I'm turning 21 in a few weeks.
im so excited about the game and so thankful for coming across your videos
Thank you for your heartfelt review. These games have meant so much to me since I found Origins in my teens. Midnight releases for both DA2 and Inquisition and I share many of those feelings. The end of your video has me emotional to even start up this game on Thursday. I know I am going to cry just knowing what it is. I only discovered your channel recently, but thank you for your work and I can't wait to see what you make and bring in the future! Ma serannas!
"Regret is a big theme and...it sure is."😂 Okay, Regret Demon confirmed.
😂
I just read about the Regret demon in Tevinter Nights… really fascinating way to introduce it.
How can something that essentially abandons the series that came before it except for its villain be a “love letter”.
Yeah.. who am I gonna trust, someone who actually knows about the DA series or someone who gets all their opinions from Asmongold? Get lost kid
@@vabbi_1 yes. Everyone with something critical to say of this game must have been sent here by that moron.
@@vabbi_1 hahahahaha we don’t need to trust Asmongold for anything considering the game has been out for 3 weeks, the OP is totally correct and your seething makes it even funnier
This straight up made me cry. I feel so deeply about the story your shared at the end. These games gave me perspective and let me know I was not alone at so many crucial moments in my own life. Thank you for sharing, Ghil. ❤
I watched this review before playing and felt seen by your realization that the games were an emotional outlet for you when otherwise bottling feelings up, because I feel very much the same. Now, it's been an hour since I've finished Veilguard and I'm still not done ugly crying and had to come back to leave a comment. I'm left with that same feeling of bittersweet catharsis - happy that I enjoyed the game, that the conclusion was satisfying, but sad that this arc is over and sad that it brought so many feelings up I wasnt aware I was holding in. So, yeah. Veilguard was perfect for me too.
hey i discovered your channel because of this video and i have to say dont be anxious or afraid about how your opinions come off, i can tell you're very invested into the game and your love for it and the series seeps off in every word and expression.
Will you be making a spoiler-y review?
40 hours also seems pretty dang small, but I also think it's around what you get for DAI if you set aside side-quests and companion stories.
I recently did a Nightmare run of Inquisition (only major companion quests) + tresspasser in ~35 hours. Now that is knowing what I am doing, but from this review... I am plently excited/anxious to play...
Eventually, yes! When Jordan finishes the game we will talk about it on our podcast over on Codex Added!
@@GhilDirthalen👍 that's great to hear!! I'm excited to give it a listen! At the very least, I hope your infectious enthusiasm is catching and will keep trying to get it!
Eh, to be fair I prefer a respectable 40 hours over extremely long bloated filler which was inquisition's main problem for my liking
@@Solstice261I liked the bloat, but you do you.
I tried to like this game i really did. But this is going to be the first dragon age i wont be doing a 2nd play through of because i cant bring myself to make choices that have 0 impact whatsoever on the late game (except if companions die or not which is a whatever burger because the companions have such bad writing except for a few)
Honestly, its the first time I ever saw your content (I'm not sure why, but something i'll rectify asap!!)
But a review like yours was one i was waiting for, because like you the past dragon age games mean so much to me. They helped me grow and mature into the person i am today.
Seeing that someone who loves the dragon age games gave it a greenlight and calling it "perfect for me" is all I needed. I was always going to buy this game, but now I can do it happily knowing my favourite game series is back to its former glory.
I'm an hour in and deeply regretting it.
Dialogue and VA work is average.
Apparently I’ve been a member for over 3 years now, which is wild because it feels like yesterday that I joined.
Anyway, really glad to see your review!
A real review from a real fan i love it.
(Warning for lore nerds who dont want to be spoiled, IGN mentioned a place you go to. And like, to anyone else, it wouldn't be a spoiler. But its definitely a significant place that you might not wanna know about.)
For anyone whose concerned about gameplay. I think its reassuring that people who dont care about dragon age the way that I care, liked the game. To me, that means that the gameplay was compelling enough for them to keep playing.
Also, as a side note, I really like the community you fostered. Its nice to go through the comments and see hope and excitement, instead of the cynicism ive seen in other places. Im so so so so so excited for this game and im really happy that you loved it. Im glad I get to share that excitement with other people.
I think we've gotten to a point where the positivity of any game experience is automatically undermined by a class of consumers seeking to criticize first and enjoy later.
To all of you; this is a genuine invitation to start enjoying things again, and stop worrying about something being "enough." You sound tired. Stop ruining games for yourself and others, and try enjoying the great experiences developers put into their games. Because we all know even if the game looks and plays like a PS1 game y'all are gonna drop 100s of hours playing it regardless...
This isn't about telling people to not have opinions of the game, but understand that the more you look for flaws in any game the more you will find them.
I also do not think it needs to be like an Origins 2, "go back to their roots," I just think the game needs to be what Bioware does best- hella good branching narrative, good characters, good stakes, beautiful score, good questing, and something that makes you think and care. The combat will never satisfy everyone. I know they are changing it up again, and I hope they do it well, but that's not what sticks with a person over the years- it's the story people think about!
I certainly didn't expect a review to make me cry 😮 Thank you for this beautiful video, I can't wait to see what's in store on Thursday.
Now that I've time to finish the game and form my own opinions, I'm actually really interested in hearing you talk more about how you hated Rook during your time on the community council and how Rook changed from then. I'm so curious to hear how they're different and what feedback the devs might have taken.
Having played, I can forgive most of it due to taste… except the writing.
“It’s quiet. Too quiet.”
“That’s awful. Someone should stop them!”
There are so many groan worthy one liners. This team had no experience writing for this kind of lore heavy game.
"Swooping is bad"
"Somebody's been drinking"
"It's pretty late"
"Well....shit"
DA is full of lines like these, sometimes there's a line or two that's awful but a majority of the companions have such *good* dialogue between each other and you.
@@HeirofAether except those lines are something people would actually say.
@@HeirofAetherI see you on here defending this game with such fervor. You can’t actually enjoy this abysmal excuse for a dragon age game?
@hansno1475 I do, in fact, enjoy this game quite a lot. Is it perfect? No, nothing ever is, not even Origins. But it's also not bad, nor is it average, it's good.
@@HeirofAether I think I have to detach myself from how much I enjoy the first three as well as what BioWare formally was in order to lend this thing any more credence. Perhaps it does deserve more credit than I’m giving it but I can’t really see that right now.
I’m a bit too focused on the devs’ condescending responses to valid criticisms from longtime fans.
I wish EA luck in attracting its coveted new era of fans to the fourth or fifth installment of BioWare’s most celebrated IPs.
They’re really gonna need it.
Let's gooo. Looking forward to watch yours and kala's reviews. just have to wait a bit.
I've very looking forward to this. It's perfect! 3 days until I and others get to experience the excitement we can all hear in your voice in the entire video. Thank you, Caitie! 💙💙
Thank you Caitie for this amazing review. I can't wait for Veilguard. Hearing your comments about the companions has me really excited. Was in tears at the end of the video hearing your final comments on how this means to you
Loved this review Thanks!
Literally every other reviewer has told me this game is a below average game at best! Honestly, even die-hard Dragon Age fans has told me not to buy this and even the Biodrones on the subreddit has taken a shit on the game. Literally the exact opposite of a love-letter to the series. Rather it seems like the fans sees it as insult (mostly out of incompetence). Frankly, and I might steep out of line here, but it seems that you're just too invested in the world of Thedas to actually face the fact that this game is an unworthy sequel to the other games. I remember I had a similar period with DA2.
Your thoughtful insight was so appropriated, Caitie, along with your personal reflection at the end. I got teary hearing it! It's wonderful that Veilguard was perfect for you, I'm so glad.
Dont understand how someone who "loves" DA can call something that shits on everything DA was a loveletter. On the other hand as someone who works for/with Bioware and have early acces ... you cant say almost anything bad about it. (But that is problem with almost all recezents last years. You say something bad and you can say baybay to any early acces in future.)
My thoughts exactly. As somebody who has been an OG DA fan since I discovered it in August 2010, everything I've heard about this hallway simulator sounds like spit in the face of actual Dragon Age fans.
"Have you ever been a fan of a series, but as time has gone on you've started to feel more and more as if the creators resent you? That they want new fans, and they're willing to lessen your enjoyment if it means broadening their appeal.
Don't be an abused housewife, just fuckin' move on."
- Patrician TV.
God forbid someone has a different opinion than yours! How dare they?! Don't they know a fandom has to be a hive mind?!
Did you even like that post-credit secret ending? Really?
Caitie, that end! I cried a little 🥺❤
Loved this review and I know I’m gonna love the shit out of this game! Gonna take your advice to heart and not rush! 😄 Just a few more days!
I teared up when you were talking about the end... Thank you for the review, I can't wait to play in just a few days
Yours, Kala and Ashe are the reviews I was waiting for. You're DA fans making content for DA fans, and your review delivers that perfectly. You shouldn't have to "apologize" for making the content your audience follows you for.
And your final words just put the finger in why Morrigan's DAO arc gets to me so much and why I'm so happy she returns again and again to the franchise. So thank you for the free therapy, lol.
A story that invokes emotions is all I needed from this entry, and it seems like we're getting it! Can't wait for release!
I’m glad this game gave you what you were looking for. Genuinely. As a fan since origins, I don’t think it’s going to be what I’ve been hoping for, but I’m glad it found its audience
Emmerich-mancers rise up ‼️
I need that old mage so bad I can't wait for Thursday
Gods, this review makes me cry happy tears. Thanks for the reminder Caitie, for us to take our time, enjoy it and really be present in our playing of the games. I can hear the tears in your voice and it makes me want to cry. Thank you for sharing this video with us. And happy birthday!!!
Caitie, I cried. Thank you. I am so ready to go back into this amazing world. Thank you for your spoiler free coverage, I could not have gone through this wait without it. ❤
10 hours in the game, and it the dialogue and pacing is just painful. I understand we are all bias and want to love Dragon Age, but it is not a good experience. Your review does seem to ignore a lot of negatives with the game, and even if we say we only play for the story....well, there hardly is any substance. It is so painfully basic.
@Dominicanadaa the complaints you have apply even harder to Inquisition. Also just because it isn't a good experience for you doesn't mean it isn't for others. I think it's a vast improvement over Inquisition and I'll take it for that because while neither are on the level of the 1st 2 atleast it's improving
@@CC-of5xl Inquisition was lightyears better then Veilguard. Also, just because YOU like something doesn't mean it's good, it just means you like it. People like to eat poop. I'm not using that as an expression either, they literally like eating it. The reality is that people like you (and the creator of this video) are so in love with Dragon Age that you refuse to see reason. You disregard any logical arguments or evidence that might contradict your positive feelings. In other words, you display the exact same "toxic positivity" that results in products like Veilguard getting made in the first place.
You believe the writing quality is above DA:I? I am not sure about that. I also think replayability will be limited in DA:V. I also noticed we do not really talk to NPCs casually in the places we go to, or get to ask many questions on a frequent basis.
The areas are beautiful, but the NPCs just sort of stand there like an MMO. The game is fine on its own, but when compared to previous titles it falls very flat imo
@@CC-of5xland of course DA:I was 10 years ago, I would hope saying it has the same problems as DA:I wouldn't even be a thing if they listened to feedback properly. Our worldstates are also left behind so when we make new choices in this game, who is to say these will be forgotten as well if there is a sequel?
@Dominicanadaa again the things you said apply to DAI. DAI had non cinematic NPC conversations that felt AI generated. The main story was ridiculously bad especially without Trespasser. They basically side lined the Mage Templar conflict and turned every antagonist group into mindless cartoon versions of them self being controlled by the villain. The Red Templars and Venitori are watered down version of the Templars and Imperium. They took out their sympathetic and reasonable sides. And demons which were major sociological threats in the 1st 2 games were reduced to mindless mobs to kill.
Your content really helped me get through the long wait for this game. This was a wonderful and heartfelt review, I am SO excited to play the game myself. Thank you for everything, I'm looking forward to your future videos :))
Thank you so much, Caitie. I teared up right there with you. As a massive lore and story nerd, yours is the opinion I most value, and I cannot tell you how happy and excited I am to go back to Thedas once more! Please enjoy seeing the rest of us yell and gasp in the coming days!
That was similar to Mass Effect for me. No matter the critique or hate it got about the ending, no other game made me so connected to characters and crying at every turn in the end.
Your opinion excites me more than anyone's. Still Im a little terrified by other videos, especially the dialogue and story critiques of Skilled Up; his examples all felt very Marvelesque and Disney-y. Where the tone of previous games (and Tevinter Nights) was more Witchery/GameOfThronesy/LordOfTheRingsy...
What's your opinion on the dialogues and stuff in that sense? Did you still experience a similar tone and quality compared to the other games and Tevinter Nights?
Caitie, I have been following your channel and content since its inception. You (and Jordan) have kept the love for all things Dragon Age (and Bioware) alive in my heart for years, and I cannot express to you how thrilled I am *for you* that you were able to get a review copy and that you loved the game.
I've avoided nearly all pre release content and reviews, but I am making the exception for your review. Your opinion is, honestly, the only one I trust , and I thank you for sharing it. Setting aside one's biases isn't always easy, but I know you're speaking from an honest place in your heart.
I wanted to stop for a second amidst all the excitement and just say thank you for your content, your resilience, your time, and your thoughts. You are a rockstar and an inspiration, and I look forward to all the upcoming Dragon Age discussions and content you will inevitably share with us. So, thank you, Caitie!!
That ending gave me goosebumps. I love how passionate you are and could listen to you talk for hours (i pretty much have at this point lol). Can’t wait to get my hands on it Thursday!
As someone who somehow pushed Corephyus off a cliff and therefore skipped the final fight, I agree with how underwhelming that boss was lol
Yeah he was a bit of bitch went back and played with some trials on and steam rolled him I was disappointed
Ghil ... you are amazing. Thank you so much for such a heartfelt review.
What an incredible review to stumble across I LOVE THIS TAKE 💫
13:47 ☹️I'm bawling my eyes out Katie!! 💛((hearing your voice quiver is all I need to know how moving this game will be for most of us))
Platinumed it last night. ~75 hours, all quests in one playthrough (Dwarf Warrior Grey Warden, romanced Harding). Overall, pretty good, really happy it even exists.
Good: Environments, skill trees, companion journeys, ending rewards completion, choices matter, sound design, ties in to "big" lore stuff from all 3 previous games, equipment variety and upgrade system, villains provide meaningful stakes
Bad: Combat and "puzzles" are extremely repetitive. Not much enemy variety. Various bugs and AI issues. Writing is generally pretty basic or repetitive. Party members not being controllable or having health bars is obviously a big subtraction from previous games. Some major events from previous games that would be massively affected by revelations here aren't mentioned.
All I can say is. Dragon age has never been perfect. The fact that people who connect with the world of dragon age think it is worth it means more than a number.
I'm gonna be honest - I don't know you and this was the very first video of yours I have watched so far. Normally I don't really comment on videos or listen to reviews just because I want to have my own experiences and impressions but the last couple of months and weeks left me scared for the game itself. A lot of the "negativ" news had me asking myself if I would like this game, would the money be worth it or would I feel disappointed at the end of the day?
I guess what I want to say is - thank you for sharing your experiences and thoughts with us. It left me feeling relieved and hopeful for the time I'll eventually play this game and hearing a stranger talk with such love and passion about one of my favorite franchises gave even me the feels.
Thank you again and stay safe!
Thank you.
For all of your enthusiasm, for your care with spoilers, and for this video in particular. The ending really hit me since it made me think about my own resonance with the games. I just wanted you to know how glad I am that we have you in this community!
Catie!!! The ending made me so emotional! I am sobbing!!! I understand one million percent where you are coming from. Dragon Age has been like a campfire and a warm blanket most of my life. It feels like a second home, and has touched me in ways that no other media truly has on so many fronts, and I know it has for others as well and I truly love that about it.
Thank you for being a beacon of positivity all of these years. We all appreciate you so much!
Absolutely phenomenal review, Ghil. I've been watching your content for years and for the most part, your views of the lore, fandom, theories, etc have been the same as mine. So, hearing you give this review is so relieving for me. It's been such a long wait with such a troubled development at times that I was afraid to get my hopes up, even seeing the bits we have since this summer.
Thank you for this. And thank you for all your years of hard work. As always, I can't wait to see what you have to say about this installment going forward c:
Oh Caitie, you got me tearing up 🥹❤ I remember discovering your channel after DAI when I was hungry for Dragon Age content and eventually being in your streams. You've given this community such great resources and entertainment and it's been gratifying seeing you grow as a creator.
Please know that even though this may feel like an end, it has been a hell of a ride and I for one am excited for this game and the future of your channel ❤
I love your review. You very clearly are someone who loves the franchise. Way more than I do at times lol. Keep being awesome and positive, always enjoy your content. :)
Im typing as i watch this video but like you i have immersed myself in this world. I experienced DAO in 2013 and since then i have been an Avid Dragon Age fan. Whether its what i wanted or not, I've waited 10 years for this this game.
Thank you for being honest! Your review fills my heart with hope so far 🙏🏾
The Solavellan aside had me dying with laughter. I will take your advise to heart.
I haven't touched the Dragon Age series for 10 years and didn't really expect a sequel. But I remember a lot of the details and can't wait to see what happens next in Thedas. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, really loved your review!
First review that wasn't just negative talk I've seen. Thank you so much.
Been waiting for your take. Thank you!