Podcast Summary: The Besties – "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Wants You to be Happy"

Release Date: November 1, 2024

In this episode of The Besties, hosts Chris Plante, Griffin McElroy, Justin McElroy, and Russ Frushtick delve deep into BioWare's latest installment in the Dragon Age series, "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Wants You to be Happy". This episode offers a comprehensive analysis of the game, exploring its combat mechanics, narrative structure, character development, and its standing within the broader RPG landscape of 2024.

1. Introduction and Guest Commentary

The episode kicks off with Griffin McElroy expressing excitement about having a special guest, referred to humorously as "dumpster funk legend Dr. John." However, it's soon revealed that this is actually Chris Plante under the influence of cough medicine, adding a layer of humor to the discussion.

• Griffin McElroy [00:00]: "We haven't had a special guest on the show for a long time and I am stoked to have sort of dumpster funk legend Dr. John in the mix."

2. Overview of Dragon Age: The Veilguard

The hosts introduce "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Wants You to be Happy" as BioWare's long-awaited follow-up in the Dragon Age series. They highlight the game's decade-long development and its significance as a potential return to form for BioWare after challenges with titles like Anthem.

• Christopher Plant [02:08]: "Dragon Veilguard is the Long in development, almost a decade in development. Follow up in the Dragon Age series and if you are to believe the rumors, a return to form..."

3. Combat Mechanics and Gameplay Comparison

A significant portion of the discussion centers on the game's combat system. The hosts compare it to other action RPGs, noting its real-time combat style and high mobility. Ross Frost draws parallels between Dragon Age: The Veilguard and games like Shadows of Amalur and God of War, praising its tight and responsive combat.

• Ross Frost [11:40]: "The combat's all real time. You can, like, have your companions cast spells and stuff like that..."

4. Narrative Structure and Storytelling

The narrative elements of the game receive mixed reviews. Griffin McElroy expresses frustration with the game's antagonists, feeling they lack depth and failed to evoke strong emotional engagement. In contrast, Justin McElroy appreciates the moral complexity introduced by the protagonist's actions, adding layers to the storytelling.

• Griffin McElroy [08:15]: "I didn't care about the villains at all. They just felt like kind of archetypical bad guys..."

• Justin McElroy [10:17]: "I thought it was interesting that your character has culpability and the morality of what you were trying to do is kind of up for debate."

5. Companion Characters and Writing Quality

The quality of companion character development is a focal point. While the individual companion side quests are lauded for offering rich backstories and cultural insights, the overarching narrative is criticized for its pacing and inconsistent writing quality. Ross Frost likens the experience to Mass Effect 2, where team-building narratives are more engaging than the broader plot.

• Ross Frost [17:49]: "It seems like my guess and who knows? But my guess is I think it's easier relatively to write a smaller story than it is to write a bigger story."

6. Structural Issues and Pacing

The hosts discuss structural challenges within the game, particularly the hub-and-spoke design that separates main quests from side missions. This separation leads to a disjointed experience, making it difficult for players to maintain narrative momentum.

• Griffin McElroy [09:58]: "But whatever. This game is going to be very. Like, we're going to disagree on a lot of stuff on this game..."

• Christopher Plant [19:07]: "I think the issue is pacing more than even necessarily quality of writing."

7. Overall Impressions and Divisiveness

Dragon Age: The Veilguard emerges as a divisive title among the hosts. While some appreciate its combat systems and the depth of its RPG elements, others find the narrative and pacing lacking. Christopher Plant emphasizes that fans deeply invested in Dragon Age lore might find more satisfaction, whereas newcomers may have varying experiences based on their gaming preferences.

• Griffin McElroy [38:31]: "It is rare, I think to get a game this divisive..."

8. Recommendations and Other RPGs of 2024

In the latter part of the episode, the hosts transition to recommending a lineup of noteworthy RPGs slated for 2024. They categorize these games based on player preferences, ensuring listeners can find titles that resonate with their interests. The recommendations include:

• Metaphor Refantazio: Ideal for fans of traditional JRPGs seeking mature storytelling.

• Dragon's Dogma 2: Suited for players desiring a deep D&D-like experience with immersive adventures.

• Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth: Recommended for those who enjoy action-packed RPGs with rich narratives and beautiful world-building.

• Infinite Wealth and Mario and Luigi: Brothership: These titles cater to diverse RPG tastes, from financially immersive simulations to humorous, cooperative adventures.

• Griffin McElroy [43:42]: "If you're younger and maybe like newer to this kind of RPG genre, I think this is like a killer."

9. Listener Engagement and Closing Remarks

Before wrapping up, the hosts engage in light-hearted banter about personal gaming experiences and upcoming content. They also encourage listeners to support their Patreon and promote other podcasts and media they enjoy. The episode concludes with a recap of the main topics discussed and a tease for future episodes focusing on additional RPGs.

• Ross Frost [67:07]: "We talked about Dragon Age, we also talked about a bunch of other RPGs, including [various titles]..."

• Justin McElroy [69:10]: "Some didn't come out. ...Some didn't come out. All right, so go and listen to that episode."

Notable Quotes:

• Griffin McElroy [09:27]: "This is the most frustrating thing for me."

• Justin McElroy [10:17]: "Your character has culpability and the morality of what you were trying to do is kind of up for debate."

• Ross Frost [11:40]: "It reminded me a lot of the combat in the deep cut analogy is Shadows of Amalur..."

• Christopher Plant [24:14]: "I think that the way the game is kind of built, it's very hub and spoke like with interconnected hubs..."

• Griffin McElroy [43:42]: "If you're younger and maybe like newer to this kind of RPG genre, I think this is like a killer."

Conclusion:

"The Besties" podcast episode on "Dragon Age: The Veilguard Wants You to be Happy" offers a multifaceted exploration of the game, balancing praise for its combat and RPG mechanics with critiques of its narrative structure and character development. The hosts' diverse perspectives provide listeners with a nuanced understanding of where the game stands in the current RPG landscape, helping both fans and newcomers make informed decisions about engaging with this latest Dragon Age installment.