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As I concluded my 60-hour journey through BioWare’s latest addition to the Dragon Age franchise, I couldn’t help but ponder why I never felt fully invested in the story. It wasn’t the engaging combat or the rich world-building that left me feeling underwhelmed – it was the predictability of its characters.
Don’t get me wrong; the companions in Veilguard are delightful and well-written. They have intriguing backstories, quirky personalities, and genuine motivations. However, their arcs remain curiously stagnant throughout the game’s narrative. It’s as if they’re frozen in time, stuck in a perpetual state of sameness. This pleasant but predictable nature of their character development made the story less memorable and, quite frankly, unremarkable.
In contrast, I recall a pivotal moment early on in The Witcher 3 that left an indelible mark on my gaming experience. The Bloody Baron quest is a masterclass example of how to subvert player expectations and challenge our perceptions of characters. Initially presented as a sympathetic figure, the Baron’s true nature is gradually revealed – his abhorrent treatment of his wife and daughter is nothing short of disturbing. This narrative twist not only shook me emotionally but also forced me to reevaluate my relationship with these characters.
This type of character development doesn’t have to rely on shocking violence or dark secrets; it can be as subtle as Haley’s transformation in Stardew Valley. In this charming farming simulation, the once-vain and shallow Haley gradually reveals herself to be a more caring and complex individual. This unexpected shift in her personality encourages players to reflect on their initial assessment of her character.
Developers often aim to provide players with what they want – especially in beloved series like Dragon Age where meeting expectations is crucial. However, it’s precisely this desire to cater to player preferences that can lead to stagnation and a lack of depth. Games are at their strongest when they prompt us to question our judgments, forcing us to confront the complexity of human nature.
It’s understandable that developers want to create a sense of comfort and familiarity within their narrative. Meeting expectations is essential for building a loyal fan base. However, by doing so, we risk losing the essence of what makes role-playing games truly remarkable – the ability to reflect on our own biases, morals, and perceptions.
By failing to subvert my expectations or challenge my understanding of the characters, Veilguard left me feeling disconnected from its world and story. It’s not that I didn’t care about the companions; it’s just that their personalities were so well-defined at the start that there was nowhere else for them to go. As a result, the narrative suffered, becoming shallow and unremarkable.
In conclusion, while Veilguard is an enjoyable game with engaging combat and rich world-building, I couldn’t help but feel underwhelmed by its predictable character development. The lack of depth and complexity in the companions’ arcs left me questioning whether this was a missed opportunity for BioWare to push the boundaries of storytelling within the RPG genre.
As gamers, we crave authenticity and connection with our characters; it’s time for game developers to understand that meeting expectations isn’t always the best approach. Sometimes, it’s essential to take risks, to surprise us, and challenge our perceptions.
Source: www.forbes.com
