Dragon Age: Veilguard, a fan-mod expansion of BioWare’s iconic Dragon Age series, brings players back into the richly immersive world of Thedas, introducing new characters, quests, and game mechanics. However, with the expanding expectations of RPG players today, one commonly asked question arises: Does Dragon Age: Veilguard include a New Game Plus (NG+) mode?
This article will explore the nature of New Game Plus in RPGs, its inclusion (or lack thereof) in Veilguard, and provide players with a deeper look into the replayability features this game does offer.
What is a New Game Plus (NG+) Mode?
A New Game Plus mode is a feature that allows players to restart a game while retaining certain progress or items from their previous playthrough. Typically, this includes:
- Character Level and Skills: Carrying over levels and unlocked skills.
- Equipment and Inventory: Retaining weapons, armor, and items.
- New Challenges: Often introducing tougher enemies or additional challenges.
The primary allure of NG+ is that it lets players re-experience the game’s content with enhanced abilities or modified challenges, making it ideal for those who want to explore alternate storylines or choices without starting from scratch.
Does Dragon Age: Veilguard Offer a New Game Plus Mode?
As of the latest updates, Dragon Age: Veilguard does not include an official New Game Plus feature. Fans of the series may find this disappointing, especially since other RPG titles and some fan-modified versions of Dragon Age titles offer NG+ modes.
Below, we will look into why NG+ might not be present in Veilguard, as well as explore the alternative replay options that make the game engaging.
Why Doesn’t Dragon Age: Veilguard Have a New Game Plus Mode?
The absence of NG+ in Dragon Age: Veilguard is likely due to a combination of technical and gameplay design factors:
| Factor | Description |
|---|---|
| Technical Constraints | Modders face limitations when adding complex mechanics like NG+, as these require extensive code adjustments. |
| Focus on Narrative | Veilguard emphasizes story-driven choices, which may be diminished with NG+ as characters are more powerful. |
| Replayable Content | The modders designed Veilguard to be replayable through different character builds and story paths. |
The choice not to include NG+ seems rooted in Veilguard’s design philosophy, which aligns with BioWare’s narrative-driven approach. Rather than emphasizing replaying with the same powerful character, Veilguard encourages players to try new character builds, factions, and choices.
Replayability Features in Dragon Age: Veilguard
While Veilguard may not offer NG+, it provides various replayable elements that enrich the experience for players who want to delve into the game multiple times. Below are the main replayability features and how they contribute to the overall gaming experience:
Diverse Character Builds
In Dragon Age, character builds have always played a significant role, and Veilguard expands upon this. Players can choose from multiple classes, races, and backgrounds, each impacting the storyline and interactions within the game.
| Character Build Options | Impact on Gameplay |
|---|---|
| Class (Warrior, Mage, Rogue) | Determines combat style and skill options, adding variety in encounters. |
| Race (Human, Elf, Dwarf) | Affects story interactions and access to certain quests, especially faction-based ones. |
| Background | Modifies character backstory, leading to unique dialogue and quest outcomes. |
Choice-Based Story Paths
Like previous Dragon Age titles, Veilguard features branching storylines shaped by player choices. From forming alliances to handling key quests, the choices a player makes will significantly alter the game’s narrative and relationships with other characters. This choice-driven design is ideal for players seeking fresh experiences on subsequent playthroughs.
Faction Alliances and Rivalries
Veilguard introduces an extensive faction system, allowing players to form alliances or rivalries with various groups in Thedas. Each faction comes with its unique benefits and consequences:
| Faction | Benefits | Consequences |
|---|---|---|
| The Inquisition | Access to exclusive quests and powerful allies | Risk of opposition from rival factions |
| The Grey Wardens | Unique abilities and rare items | Loss of support from other organizations |
| The Circle of Mages | Specialized magical support and spells | Potential tensions with Templars and other anti-magic groups |
Choosing to ally with certain factions can unlock exclusive storylines, but it may close off others, making faction loyalty a meaningful choice for replayability.
Difficulty Levels
For players seeking a tougher experience, Veilguard offers multiple difficulty settings. While this isn’t equivalent to an NG+ mode, it can challenge seasoned players to adjust their strategies and master complex combat mechanics.
Alternatives to New Game Plus in Dragon Age: Veilguard
For those who still yearn for NG+-like features, there are a few strategies and mod options that can mimic elements of NG+ to some extent:
Game Mods for Custom Challenges
Since Veilguard itself is a modded expansion, additional mods created by the community can sometimes offer NG+-like features, such as enhanced difficulty or unique item sets that carry over between playthroughs.
Modding communities on platforms like NexusMods or the Steam Workshop often have mods that can add layers of difficulty or provide alternative rewards to make repeated playthroughs more engaging.
Character Importing for Roleplay Continuity
One workaround some players employ is using character import features from earlier Dragon Age games or previous save files. This doesn’t offer a complete NG+ experience but allows players to maintain continuity with their favorite characters across games.
Hard Mode Challenges
Some players create personal “Hard Mode” challenges by imposing rules on themselves, such as:
- Using only basic equipment.
- Restricting the use of healing items.
- Limiting certain abilities to add difficulty.
These challenges create a unique and challenging experience for those seeking an NG+-like alternative without mods.
Potential Future Updates and DLC
Although there has been no official announcement regarding an NG+ mode, the game’s developers and the fan community have expressed interest in expanding Veilguard through DLCs and additional updates. Here are some possibilities that may enhance replayability:
| Update Type | Possible Features |
|---|---|
| New Quests | Additional storylines that build on existing plot arcs. |
| Items and Gear | Unique weapons and armor sets to retain across playthroughs. |
| Faction Expansions | Further depth to faction alliances and rivalries. |
These expansions could provide players with new content to explore, even if a full NG+ mode isn’t implemented. Some developers and modders in the community have also expressed an interest in adding more carryover features to give players a form of NG+ experience.
Conclusion: Is NG+ Essential for Dragon Age: Veilguard?
While a New Game Plus mode might enhance Veilguard for players who enjoy retaining their achievements and continuing the journey with a stronger character, the game’s design philosophy focuses more on narrative depth, character diversity, and faction dynamics.
Each playthrough can offer a fresh experience by exploring new factions, trying different builds, and making varied choices that significantly impact the storyline.
For players committed to NG+, modding may be an option, though it requires a bit of customization and technical know-how. However, Veilguard does provide enough replayable features—especially with its complex faction system and choice-based narrative—to keep players engaged without NG+.
