Our journey to Thedas continues, and our quest to stop the Dread Wolf Solas is packed with danger and glory.
BioWare’s latest entry in a long, long while is finally out. Despite receiving polarizing reviews from critics and gamers, Dragon Age: The Veilguard remains a worthy addition to their fantasy-adventure catalog.
But what should you play next after the credits roll? I’m happy to tell you that there are other titles that share The Veilguard’s DNA.
Here are five games to play after finishing Dragon Age: The Veilguard:
Mass Effect Trilogy
There’s nothing more BioWare-y than the Mass Effect Trilogy. Commander Shepard’s galaxy-spanning adventure was an all-time gaming classic.
From the intense and iconic Suicide Mission in Mass Effect 2 to the last stand against the Reaper Invasion, everything about it was a wild ride of epic proportions.
It culminated in this unforgettable space opera made possible by our choices throughout the game.
It doesn't matter if you want your Shepard to be a notorious Renegade or a Paragon of justice. What mattered was the journey and the friends we made along the way, as cheesy as it sounds. We wouldn’t want to forget our best bro, Garrus Vakarian, or the sweetheart Tali from our Mass Effect adventures.
Playing the trilogy can remind us of BioWare at its best, highlighting strong character moments with choices that impact the entire narrative structure of Shepard’s story.
Its third-person cover shooting may be dated, but once you get past all the gameplay kinks, it’s a one-of-a-kind space adventure that people still talk about today.
Dragon Age: Origins
Veilguard may be the series' latest game, but Origins crafted the series’ core identity. It took Baldur’s Gate’s RPG concept and transfused it with BioWare’s style. If Veilguard’s choices didn’t sate your need for a branching narrative, Origins’ multiple endings story can.
The Hero of Ferelden’s exploits have echoed throughout Dragon Age history; it even had a brief mention or two in Veilguard’s story.
As the first game of the series, Origins gave us a glimpse of the world of Thedas and the many Races that populate it. We've grown accustomed to seeing Dwarves, Elves, Qunaris, and even regular ol' Humans throughout our journey. Origins also introduced us to the Grey Wardens and the Darkspawn, as well as the political issues that plague the realm.
If you haven’t played the early titles, Origins is the perfect starting point for players to dive deep into BioWare’s carefully crafted fantasy world.
The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
CD Projekt Red’s dark-fantasy RPG can also hit that sweet spot if you want a character-driven adventure. Geralt of Rivia’s quest to find her missing adopted daughter, Cirilla, has taken him to lands far and wide– Even fighting the Wild Hunt and other abominations that stand in his way.
This third installment is highly recommended as it is the definitive way to explore Geralt’s story. The first two games did their part in telling a cohesive narrative about the Witcher's world, but they fell short as a character study for Geralt. Not to mention, Witcher 1 and 2's gameplay is so outdated that players shiver at the thought of playing it.
The Wild Hunt got everything right. It has an open world packed with beautiful vistas, intriguing side quests, and characters that we will grow to love. Sure, it did have that dark and foreboding atmosphere (I’m talking about Velen), but its overall theme of friendship and family added depth to the morally grey dilemmas that surround Witcher’s Continent. If we look at the big picture, Witcher 3 is all about Geralt being a good dad.
Final Fantasy XVI
Clive Rosfield’s quest to preserve his family legacy is one of gaming’s unforgettable moments. The sheer scale of its boss fights is unmatched for a Final Fantasy game. I could never forget about our final battle with the Eikon Titan.
Apart from its ambitious boss fights, its fast-paced combat made XVI stand out from its peers. It doesn’t feel like a Final Fantasy game at all.
Nobody would think this is a Final Fantasy game if it weren’t for the Eikons Shiva, Ifit, Bahamut, etc.
XVI is a great game to play once you finish your Veilguard adventure. Both games share a single playable protagonist and two extra party members that you can order around. In XVI, we get the adorable magical dog Torgal. He is a constant companion and a loyal sidekick– ready to sic foes with his sharp teeth and claws. So give him a pat on the head.
Besides its combat and companions, XVI’s mature storytelling marks the series’ return after VII and XII. The constant wars, assassinations, and political drama set the overall mood of Clive’s world.
Baldur’s Gate 3
If one game truly captures the heart and soul of Dragon Age: Veilguard, it’s Baldur’s Gate 3. It’s a spiritual successor of Dragon Age, after all. Larian Studios’ multi-award-winning RPG resulted from years of hard work and passion. It’s also thanks to its passionate community and the dedicated devs of Larian.
Baldur’s Gate 3 went through many iterations. It launched Early Access, and then it was developed from there, according to player feedback. Now, it’s considered one of the best RPGs in the market.
The level of detail in BG3’s story is unparalleled. It has layers of branching dialogue, resulting in varied playthroughs for each player. It compels you to start another playthrough and make different decisions.
It’s the kind of game to play if you enjoy endearing characters. Karlach may be a bloodthirsty Tiefling, but she’s a sweetheart if you look hard enough. Shadowheart, too.
While more games could share Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s style, these are the five standout entries worth picking up.