Dragon Age: The Veilguard exemplifies BioWare’s tradition of intertwining player choices with intense narrative consequences. In both of its flagship series, Mass Effect and Dragon Age, player decisions significantly influence storyline developments and character fates. In the latest installment, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, this structure persists, with numerous companions facing their destinies shaped by the player’s actions throughout the game. However, there are arguments suggesting that the fate of one character, in particular, warrants a different narrative treatment—one where choice alone does not dictate the outcome.
Recent game narratives compel players to grapple with the repercussions of their decisions, yet in this instance, the arrangement feels disconnected from the established lore of the Dragon Age universe. While previous BioWare titles have enabled player choices to result in the demise of key characters, many players seem to agree that Veilguard fails to effectively handle these significant narrative moments, particularly in how it impacts certain companions’ journeys.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Dragon Age: The Veilguard
The Significance of the Distraction Leader in Isle of the Gods
The main quest, “Isle of the Gods,”serves as a pivotal turning point in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. Once players embark on this mission, the stakes reach new heights, leading to perilous situations where companions could potentially face permanent death due to player decisions. While certain character deaths remain avoidable, key choices made during this quest can lead to various outcomes, including the kidnapping or even fatality of companions.
One critical decision involves determining who will lead the distraction during the Isle of the Gods mission—a choice that imposes significant consequences. Players must choose between Harding and Davrin, and while the immediate repercussions may not be clear, the outcome of this decision becomes painfully evident by the quest’s conclusion. In hindsight, however, the handling of these potential deaths feels unbalanced, particularly concerning Davrin, whose fate, it could be argued, should have been resolved earlier in the game.
The Issue with Davrin’s Fate as a Grey Warden
To provide context, Dragon Age lore dictates that only Grey Wardens possess the capability to slay an Archdemon, often at the cost of their lives. Contrarily, in Veilguard, Davrin is able to defeat Ghilan’nain’s Archdemon, Razikale, without sacrificing himself. This departure from established lore diminishes both the significance of Davrin’s survival and the tension surrounding his later potential demise; players had already been led to expect possible death outcomes connected to his character arc.
The Choice Between Harding and Davrin Feels Clumsy
Given the narrative’s established framework, the choice between Harding and Davrin appears almost predetermined if players adhere to the lore of the series. The game neglects to explain how Davrin survives an encounter with the Archdemon, whereas Harding’s storyline provides essential insights into the origins of the Blight. Consequently, Davrin’s eventual fate, ideally, should not hinge on player choice as his death would have effectively completed his journey as a Grey Warden. This decision is further complicated for players who have romantic ties to either Harding or Davrin, or for those who wish to see Davrin’s loyal griffon, Assan, survive.
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