Dragon Age: The Veilguard

Play it on: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Windows (Steam Deck OK)
Current goal: Grieve

BioWare has laid off and transferred several key members of its staff as its remaining employees go head down on Mass Effect 5. Legacy talent that has been at the studio for decades has been forced out, and whatever the new Mass Effect game is, things there will likely never be the same. BioWare’s work has been key to basically every era of my life, personally and professionally. I found myself in Mass Effect, found my critical voice through dissecting it and Dragon Age, and have forged so many bonds through the community surrounding these games. Now, I’m not sure what BioWare’s future holds. I have about four other games installed on my PC, PS5, or Switch I could be playing, but all I really want right now is to curl up with one of BioWare’s games. As someone who was uncharacteristically hot on Dragon Age: The Veilguard after years of feeling jaded toward the fantasy franchise, I appreciate it even more after seeing what’s happened to the studio. I hope there’s a brighter future waiting for BioWare, but right now, I’m just gonna grieve what it once was. — Kenneth Shepard