Oh, Grey Warden

Like.

DAtV is an absolutely beautiful game in terms of graphics. Stunningly so. Even for the time it came out, DA2 had bad graphics.

DAtV has multiple interesting maps; even those without a lot of content are still varied and again, quite beautiful. DA2 reuses all it's dungeon maps without shame.

DAtV allows you to create a Rook with a unique backstory, race and appearance. DA2 you have to be human and you'll always have the same backstory.

HOWEVER DAtV doesn't give Rook a lot of real choices or personality options. Rook acts the same basically no matter how you play them. Hawke has three main personalities and when the game doesn't let you pick dialogue it will make Hawke speak in whatever of these three you most commonly pick.

DA2 is a game about systematic injustices, power and how you deal with both. DAtV scrubbed all systematic injustices from Thedas and made all that stuff background at best, completely ignored and forgotten at worst.

DA2 is full of companions who can be genuinely antagonistic with the player; they even have a rivalry system to account for the fact. A lot of cut scenes can end with you shouting or being mean to each other. DAtV everyone is nice and speaks in therapy speak. There's no real way to lose approval or to get mad at your companions.

DA2 has companions who hate one another; they're antagonistic if you bring them out and they are just mean a lot of the time. The closest DATV gets to this is Taash and Emmrich and rook 'solves' their fight super easily and then they get along great. Also, the reason they're arguing is just Taash finds Emmrich creepy not you know. A big political difference in opinion.

DA2 gives Hawke the chance to pick 'evil' options. You, personally, can kill your companions and you can also just be a dick. DAtV forces you to play as a hero all the way down to the heroic pre-written backstory.

There's I'm sure more contrasts. But I think what it comes down to is that DAtV prioritised being a 'good' game in terms of things like graphics, maps and had a more sanitised version of Thedas so 'everyone' could enjoy it. Whereas DA2 dropped the graphics and maps almost completely so it could focus on conflict, politics and interpersonal relationships.

DA2 deconstructs the Randian special hero, while Veilguard accidentally reinforces it.

DA2: “You’re a broke refugee with a dead sibling and a demon problem. Congrats, you’re the protagonist now.”

Veilguard: “You are the handpicked bestie of every elite faction across Thedas. Would you like a latte with your world-saving?”

Hawke can’t stop the Qunari, the mage war, or their own family being torn apart. Even your companions might bail or throw hands if you mess up. It’s messy, personal, tragic.

The whole crew of misfits in DA2 are embedded in the poverty of Kirkwall and this includes Hawke even after she gets the mansion back. They're all marginalized in some way that affects them deeply: illegal refugees, escaped slaves, house squatters, kicked out of clan, thieves, orphans, bastards, mages, even the cop one struggles running the city guard because the system is rotten.

And Hawke's position improving only results in MORE responsibilities and impossible tasks on their plate.

Meanwhile, Veilguard’s crew are prestige LinkedIn connections in snazzy outfits. Everyone’s trauma gets filed under ‘personal growth’ (that Rook is still responsible for), and solving millennia of slavery is just a matter of electing the right upper-class reformer. (*✧ᗜ✧)⊃━━☆ﾟ.*･｡ﾟ

And so on. Do I need to reiterate all the ways in which Veilguard plays the Special Individuals Are the Only Real Ones That Matter?

DA2: You tried your best, it wasn't enough, and history steamrolled you anyway.

Bellara doesn't have a unique kissing sound, just generic sfx. But that doesn't stop me from melting when I hear her before the kiss.

(Davrin as MJ's Thriller album cover)

Timelapse:⤵

Cole