Available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC, The Veilguard didn’t grab my attention right away. Initially, the experience felt overly game-like, as if I were wandering through a meticulously crafted theme park. Small areas filled with endless stashes of coins and resources provided constant but shallow rewards, and the familiar structure made it feel like a fantasy version of Mass Effect 2—too controlled and sometimes lifeless. Still, the intriguing concepts behind some of the characters kept me going, despite their initial lack of depth. Take Neve, for instance—a fantasy private investigator and political rebel who uses ice magic and sports a dwarven prosthetic leg. That’s undeniably cool!
Now that I’ve sunk numerous hours into the game, I’ve grown attached not only to these characters but also to the dangers they face. Recently, I experienced a thrilling siege sequence in the second act that underscored the true threat posed by the escaped elven gods. Although every party member having a personal issue to resolve before tackling the world’s bigger problems feels a bit contrived, it’s a trope reminiscent of Mass Effect 2, making it stand out and feel slightly artificial. However, if this structure means I get to dive deeper into Neve’s character, I’m all for it. You’ve won me over, game. Well played. — Carolyn Petit
