While Dragon Age: The Veilguard expands upon its predecessor, Dragon Age: Inquisition, it underutilizes an intriguing concept that could have resulted in a thrilling climax during the Trespasser ending. This missed opportunity echoes through the narrative, particularly around the Lighthouse hub, where the story could have naturally led into a captivating conclusion. As BioWare looks toward its 2025 plans and future franchise developments, it appears that this previously cut idea from Inquisition may have been sidelined indefinitely for the Dragon Age series.
The Lighthouse in Dragon Age: The Veilguard Fails to Revive Skyhold’s Potential
Skyhold was a pivotal hub in Dragon Age: Inquisition, guiding players through an isolated fortress crafted by character Solas. Throughout the game, this location transforms into a bustling center for the Inquisition. Despite its significance, hints suggested BioWare might have envisioned a more comprehensive narrative for Skyhold, especially with its notable renovations and expanded customization options. As shared by Matt Rhodes, the art director for Dragon Age, Skyhold’s anticipated destruction during the Trespasser DLC had the potential for a more impactful narrative than only Solas’ dramatic revelation.
From Inquisition’s Trespasser DLC An earlier version of the story. Sten would arrive to arrest you for meddling with magic, but Dagna has reverse engineering their explosives. You leave a trap for when they return, sacrificing Skyhold in the process. pic.twitter.com/0gTrLB4fiI — Matt Rhodes (@mattrhodesart) November 28, 2024
The Cut Skyhold Siege in Dragon Age: Inquisition Was a Missed Opportunity
Originally, the destruction of Skyhold was likely tied to the player’s decisions in Trespasser, where disbanding the Inquisition would symbolize the end of an era. However, the planned siege of Skyhold was ultimately abandoned, possibly due to time limitations or technical challenges in realising the idea.
The Veilguard Repeats Inquisition’s Oversight
In The Veilguard, interactions between Elgar’nan and Ghilan’nain foreshadow a divine effort to reclaim the Lighthouse from the Dreadwolf, echoing the Blight’s presence throughout the Crossroads. While the Lighthouse may not match the complexity of Skyhold, it could have served as an ideal setup for the climax of The Veilguard.
Reintroducing Skyhold’s Siege Would Have Elevated The Veilguard
Furthermore, with BioWare announcing the absence of additional content for The Veilguard, a dramatic siege on the Lighthouse represents an even greater missed chance. The narrative could have effectively utilized a time jump during Rook’s escape from Solas in the Fade to set the stage for a thrilling assault. By exploring both the Lighthouse and the Crossroads en route to Minrathous for the Last Gambit mission, the conclusion could have been charged with heightened stakes, providing a powerful sense of closure for the players’ journey.
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