Dragon Age The Veilguard and Baldur's Gate 3: Similarities and Differences explored

The release of Dragon Age The Veilguard has capped off a five-year standstill for Bioware, and by the looks of it, Veilguard feels like a return to form. However, the studio isn’t showing any signs of stopping, considering it is now concentrating its efforts on the next Mass Effect. As Veilguard's release marks the franchise's return, it feels only natural to compare it to the 2023's beloved GOTY-winning RPG title, Baldur's Gate 3.

The games can be played on the following platforms:

• Dragon Age The Veilguard (2024): PlayStation 5, Microsoft Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
• Baldur's Gate 3 (2023): Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S and MacOs.

With the release of Bioware’s latest, here’s our take on the comparison between Dragon Age The Veilguard and another beloved RPG adventure—Baldur’s Gate 3, developed by Larian Studios.

Note: The article is subjective and reflects the writer's opinions.

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Comparing the similarities and differences between Dragon Age The Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3

Similarities

1) Character Creator

Both games feature a robust character creation suite. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

One of the most exciting aspects of an RPG is creating your unique character when starting out, and both games understood the assignment perfectly. Creating a beautiful or wacky character in these games and watching them interact with the world is a unique experience, thanks to their thorough character creators.

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2) Multiple Endings

Both The Veilguard and Baldur's Gate 3 feature unique courses. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Bioware and Larian are well-known for the reactivity of their worlds. Its bona fide example can be found in their recent entries. Many different aspects of the narratives can be affected by your actions, including the endings, with each having little details that can be affected by your actions.

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3) Dialogue Systems

Both games feature a thorough dialogue system. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

RPGs are a genre also known for their emphasis on conversational events. Although many have tried to fine-tune their dialogue systems, few can match the pedigree of Bioware and Larian. Both studios are known for dialogue options that cover various tones and emotions, each with a different outcome.

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4) Companions

Both titles are built around recruiting and commanding companions. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Dragon Age The Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate 3 are games that focus on recruiting companions. Both campaigns sprinkle different companions as you progress through the narrative, each with distinct temperaments, behaviors and powers.

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Differences

1) Protagonists

Rook and the Nameless Protagonist respectively. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Considering Dragon Age The Veilguard and Baldur’s Gate are games made by different developers, both have a different appraoch to the lead playable character. The Former focuses on Rook, an agent hired to stop the Elven Mage Solas from tearing down the veil. The latter focuses on a nameless protagonist as they wake up in a dimension-hopping ship, infected with a parasitic infection. They further go on a journey to cure said infection before being turned into a mind-flayer.

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2) Exploration

Stills from Dragon Age The Veilguard and Baldur's Gate 3 respectively. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Although exploration is a major aspect of an RPG, both games handle it differently. Dragon Age The Veilguard uses a mission-based structure, which helps in the consistency of its narrative whereas Baldur’s Gate 3 has a hub-based approach to exploration. Where players can freely explore different hub worlds within the boundaries of said hubs.

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3) Lore

The Veilguard's background is created from scratch, whereas Baldur's Gate 3 is based on Dungeons and Dragons. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Dragon Age is a series created by Bioware and, as such, it follows the rules and regulations of their world-building, although inspired by D&D. The Baldur’s Gate series is based on the 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons table-top role-playing rule-set owned by Wizards of the Coast.

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4) Combat

The Veilguard uses real-time combat, whereas Baldur's Gate 3 focuses on turn-based combat. (Images via Electronic Arts || Larian Studios)

Dragon Age The Veilguard is a real-time action-focused title that uses moment-to-moment strategic gameplay to support the combat. On the other hand, Baldur’s Gate 3 used a turn-based combat system, each dictated by the class of the player character, along with immersive-sim elements, where creativity and out-of-the-box thinking are rewarded.