You can dive into this experience on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
From the outset, The Veilguard didn’t immediately captivate me. Initially, for the first dozen hours or so, it felt overwhelmingly like a typical video game, almost like a stroll through an amusement park. There were these meticulously designed areas, dotted with caches of coins and resources, providing an incessant stream of rewards that felt like quick dopamine hits. The fundamental structure was all too familiar, echoing the style of "Mass Effect 2" but with a fantasy twist. This rigid, tightly controlled framework sometimes drained the life out of the experience. Yet, the character concepts were intriguing enough to keep me engaged, even if it took a while for the depth and complexity of these characters to really shine through. For instance, there’s Neve—a fantasy detective and political rebel who wields ice magic and sports a dwarven prosthetic in place of her lower-right leg. That’s undeniably cool!
Now, after countless hours spent within this world, I’ve developed a genuine connection to these characters, far beyond just their conceptual appeal. The stakes of the conflict they’re embroiled in have become very real to me. Just recently, I experienced a siege sequence in the second act that was incredibly thrilling and served as a reminder of the tangible threat posed by the escaped elven gods. It’s funny, though, how each party member seems to have a personal issue needing attention before they can focus on the larger world-threatening crisis. This aspect feels somewhat forced and reminiscent of "Mass Effect 2," making it rather noticeable and artificial. But, as contrived as this setup may be, if it allows me to delve deeper into Neve’s character, I’m all in. You got me hooked, game. You truly got me. — Carolyn Petit
