Gab Hernandez 
Newcomers and veterans alike may wonder if Dragon Age: Inquisition is a must-play before tackling Dragon Age: The Veilguard. The answer, of course, kind of depends on the player.
After a decade of slumber, Dragon Age: The Veilguard finally revived the classic dark fantasy franchise. The game, previously codenamed Dreadwolf, infamously went through several development resets and delays due to everything from global catastrophes, sweeping developer layoffs, and other factors.
The game finally got its long-awaited release in October 2024. The decade-long wait between chapters in the Dragon Age story did pose a few problems, even for longtime fans of the series. Players old and new alike want to know if Inquisition was a crucial aspect of Veilguard, or if it could be skipped altogether.
Do I need to play Dragon Age: Inquisition before Dragon Age: The Veilguard?
Bioware stated that newcomers can play Dragon Age: The Veilguard without any previous knowledge.
“One of the things we wanted to make sure with Veilguard is that it’s respectful and referential to previous games without feeling like you needed to have played Inquisition, or DA2, or DA:O,” stated creative director John Epler in an interview with Game Informer.
Though the game heavily features Solas and his plans to tear down the veil in the early game, most newcomers will just see him as a villain. Inquisition players will have far more familiarity and understanding of the wayward companion’s chaotic actions. In practice, Veilguard rewards veterans of the franchise, but rarely does it feel alienating.
Some fans feel like it went too far into welcoming new players, though. Of the hundreds of choices made while playing through the series, Dragon Age: The Veilguard only really cares about the Inquisition. Even then, it only takes into account three choices from the final hours of its predecessor.
This stands in harsh contrast to previous Bioware efforts, particularly Mass Effect. Mass Effect 3 has several major story beats that play out differently based on the decisions players made and the NPCs that survived. After sticking with the franchise through thick and thin, it does feel off to have big choices matter so little. Especially when the game folds many choices into the game right from the start.
Other fans disagree and are glad that The Veilguard can stand on its own merits. After Bioware’s recent fumbles, proving they can succeed with a new story could be the redemption it needs. Even so, time will tell if Bioware’s focus on the new player experience pays off. With tens of thousands of players on Steam, it may lean that way.
