The Dragon Age series is an odd beast. Beginning with 2009’s Dragon Age: Origins, it has sharply tacked with each entry: initially very D&D focused, then starkly linear for its sequel, before the third entry broadened the scale with a more open-world design. The Veilguard selects choice cuts from what’s come before (plus elements from other recent fantasy RPGs such as Baldur’s Gate 3) to create the most accessible entry in the series; this is a spirited, colourful adventure with a style of tactile combat that hues much closer to sci-fi studio stablemate Mass Effect.

This approach may alienate D&D purists but there’s no denying that The Veilguard’s fights make for thrilling encounters. Enemies must be tackled using a variety of attack methods, with no single mechanic able to bring them down. Levelling up opens the door to new game-changing spells and abilities, and while you can’t fully control companions, you can tactically direct them to use their most powerful skills. The story, about an incursion of demonic forces pouring into the world of Thedas, is punchy, twisty and neatly altered by player choices.

Surprisingly, the game’s aesthetic is rather cartoony. Character models, while expressive enough, are disconcertingly smooth and would have seemed a bit austere even a decade ago. While the design choice sits fine within the narrative, and there are many spectacular vistas to explore, it does seem like an odd decision for one of the biggest games of the year in an industry that’s forever striving for greater graphical fidelity. Looks aside, The Veilguard is a worthy addition to the roster of superb recent fantasy RPGs that together represent a stunning renaissance for the genre.

Dragon Age: The Veilguard is out now on PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S.