**Opinion: Dani is Eagerly Anticipating DA: The Veilguard, Yet Every Gameplay Reveal Sparks Doubts About the Enemy Design**
As a devoted follower of the *Dragon Age* franchise, I’ve been counting down the days until the launch of *Dragon Age: The Veilguard*. After a prolonged wait, I should be filled with nothing but enthusiasm. However, with each new gameplay reveal, my excitement is increasingly laced with unease—specifically, regarding the enemy design. What ought to be formidable and memorable foes now appear, frankly, disappointing to me—and not in a good way.
The dragons were the last straw for me, the pivotal moment in a pool of rising concerns that has been accumulating since the game’s initial announcement. Now, I feel the need to express these worries.
### A Growing Discomfort
I’ll confess, I initially managed to suppress my unease with the game’s first trailer, which featured a peculiar, almost *Overwatch*-esque party vibe. The gameplay footage that followed, however, instilled some hope within me. But even at that point, the appearances of the demons and darkspawn were already raising alarms. Now, following the recent unveiling of a battle featuring two dragons, I can no longer overlook it: **the enemy design in *The Veilguard* feels like a complete misstep to me.**
And I’m not alone in this perspective. For months, I’ve encountered similar worries echoed across YouTube, Reddit, X (formerly Twitter), and other discussion forums. It’s becoming evident that Bioware risks wasting a great deal of goodwill—especially considering what may be their most crucial game in years.
### Where Are the Edges?
Certainly, design is a matter of opinion, but *The Veilguard* appears disconnected from its predecessors regarding enemy aesthetics. In a *Dragon Age* title, players expect terrifying foes that instill a sense of dread. Recall the horrifying Spider Demon from *Dragon Age: Origins*—a creature that gave us all chills. But in *The Veilguard*, the enemies simply lack that menacing quality.
Let me highlight a few comparisons:
– The darkspawn in *Origins* were grotesque and warped beings that represented corruption and decay. Their mere presence screamed danger, with their jagged mouths and filled-with-hate eyes reflecting the existential menace they posed to Thedas.
– The ogres in *Origins* were massive, brutal beings that made their power palpable. Their design was raw, primal, and utterly terrifying.
Conversely, the darkspawn and ogres in *The Veilguard* appear… off. While I recognize that the developers aimed to give the enemies a modern design—especially with the lore shifts brought on by the liberated Elf Gods—the outcome feels like a regression. The new darkspawn and demons don’t evoke terror; instead, many come across as outright ridiculous.
### The Issue with Ridiculous Enemies
If these creatures were just unattractive, I could overlook that. But the reality that many have oversized googly eyes and exaggerated features disrupts my immersion. It’s challenging to treat these foes with seriousness when they resemble caricatures of themselves. I find myself questioning: is this by design? Are the developers attempting to inject a layer of irony or humor into the enemy design? If so, it marks a dramatic shift in tone from previous *Dragon Age* installments.
Consider the dragons, for example. These pivotal beings have occupied a relatively minor space in the series, yet *Inquisition* transformed them into impressive, challenging boss encounters. Naturally, I hoped for a similar experience in *The Veilguard*. However, the dragons I’ve observed so far appear… endearing. Their rounded heads, vibrant colors, and oversized teeth give them an appearance more akin to that of a children’s cartoon character rather than menacing figures in a dark fantasy RPG.
### Adorable Dragons? Not in *Dragon Age*
In one of the official gameplay clips, two dragons are showcased, leaving me anything but thrilled. Their design diverges significantly from the intimidating, awe-inspiring beings we have come to anticipate. Instead, they seem to belong to an entirely different game—one where adorable, cuddly dragons are commonplace.
Interestingly, my colleague Fabiano, who had the opportunity to play *The Veilguard*, encountered a dragon that much more closely matched the legacy of the series. It was fierce, formidable, and far more dragon-like. That offers me a sliver of hope, but I am still concerned that much of the enemy design in *The Veilguard* represents a considerable step back.
### A Few Considerations
To be fair, I haven’t yet experienced the game firsthand, and many of the presented scenes occur at night, which might obscure some details. There’s also a chance that numerous enemy models remain undisclosed.