I just now completed my first 100% playthrough (more like 80-90% as i missed some chests, fen'herals and evanuris). And I started playing dragon age games since few months before. I played first 3 games and loved it (Along with Mass Effect). But, been hesitant to play veilguard because of all the hate it received, but still played it because I love the dragon age lore and wanted to have some answers anyway regardless of how the game is. Spoilers Ahead.
[b]Positives:[/b]
1) Obviously the updated graphics, game mechanics, combat AI that are in line with the latest technology compare to other dragon age games, as it is their latest game.
2) The visuals like Arlathan Forest and cross roads just completely blown my mind. And also the Treviso city. And the music is just so wonderful. I mean it's hans zimmer. There is like a list to mention in soundtrack that I can't be able to write everything here lol.
3) The Romance with companions is a lot longer and have more than enough time for courtship than any other dragon age game. I had romance with Neve as a grey warden [spoiler]and her reaction in missions like Something's Coming in hossberg wetlands when rook hears calling along with darvin or her banter in the isle of gods[/spoiler] is so amazing.
4) Companions like Emmerich, Lucanus are very interesting even if you don't romance them.
5) The exploration is also very upgraded with new puzzle systems and new loot mechanics which is unique from other dragon age games, which is interesting like the brazzier, statue rotating etc.
6) The lore of [spoiler]changed blight[/spoiler] is convincing and that lead to new mechanics of finding the [spoiler]blight roots[/spoiler] and destroying them is also worth trying.
7) The combat is also very flexible with skill respec anytime, and with interesting combo opportunities of different classes.
8) The game from the quest isle of the gods to the ending is the most highlight of the game which given Mass Effect 2 vibes.
9) The Banter during exploration is very satisfying and very frequent than any other dragon age game. They even continue their banter after combat end, so no need to worry about sudden combat stopping their ongoing banter entirely.
10) The game finally tried to answer almost all the lore secrets rather than gating them with DLCs in DAI.
[b]Negatives:[/b]
1) Rook is the most dumbest protagonist I ever seen in all Dragon Age games. Yes, he may be a young underdog kind of guy. But so has the HOF in origins. HOF even with no voice had better more serious and mature choices to react than for rook. His dialogue also felt immature and more like a funny typical teenager.
2) Some of the companions like bellara just so underwhelming considering what it could be with the missed opportunities.
3) Although some places are great in visuals, some places like Minrathous have completely disappointed my expectations i build from previous games. I used to admire their architecture found in DAI and it is no where found in the city.
4) The fixed faction system. Although we have different factions, they are all considered as "good". That makes them very linear. No matter we chose [spoiler]Minrathous or Treviso[/spoiler], both cities are more or less fine if you do all the missions avilable to them. Both cities have [spoiler]blight and evil men wandering over[/spoiler]. We don't have choice to select evil factions either.
5) Although the romance is long and worthy, some things make me feel uncomfortable. Like the things between Neve and Lucanis. That won't stop even if you are in deep romance with Neve. Atleast in my playthrough.
6) Yes, the exploration is unique but sometimes it just gets so overwhelming to solve the brazzier puzzles and blight roots even in main missions rather than trying for some extra loot.
7) While the game tries to explain the story and lore secrets, it also expects you to have a prior knowledge on everything or to read tons of codex. And even after that, you just have to interpret or research later with other players or read dragon age novels to have a clear idea about everything.
8) Obviously, the choices from previous games ignored. I know this is not a problem for new players or the players don't have a deep connection with their world states. If it is any other AAA game, i wouldn't have bothered because very rarely games gives you a chance for importing choices. But Bioware is very known for doing this with their most famous game series mass effect and dragon age. So, it's not fans fault for expecting the same.
9) The Inquisitor felt more like a looser. He handled entire south thedas in DA:I and he now just sitting in skyhold and writing letters to rook while south thedas was being destroyed, except for the last part of the game.
10) But, all in all, it's still a nice experience despite of all this. But to be frank, i watched japlin artbook after playing this game and felt that I love it to be my headcanon rather than what happened in DAV. It is like what DC fans felt after Justice Legue's Snyder Cut lol.
