Dragon Age: The Veilguard has been hit with a wave of “anti-woke” review bombing on Metacritic. Many negative reviews attack the game for including LGBTQ+ characters and themes.
Defy the Gods. Unite the Veilguard ⚔️ #DragonAge: The Veilguard is AVAILABLE NOW. pic.twitter.com/MNqbKYeHCe
— Dragon Age (@dragonage) November 1, 2024
The game currently has a user score of 3.9 on Metacritic for the PS5 version, contrasting with its critic score of 84.
The negative reviews complain about the game’s “wokeness” and focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. This backlash is not new for the Dragon Age series. It has faced similar criticism in the past for depicting bisexual and transgender characters.
I spoke to BioWare's studio head about the lengthy development of Dragon Age: The Veilguard, ditching the multiplayer, bringing on the Mass Effect team to help out, why they laid off 50 people last year, and much more: https://t.co/F4mFoJn7oV
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) November 1, 2024
The debate over representation in games continues to divide opinions. Some argue the attacks are rooted in bigotry. Others believe discussions around gender identity and representation in the game are valid and should be examined critically.
The Main Thing ‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ Gets Wrong via @forbes https://t.co/KnlcYE5y2S pic.twitter.com/zwr3vrBrT3
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) November 3, 2024
‘Dragon Age: The Veilguard’ User Scores Split As Predictably As Possible via @forbes https://t.co/5RwEnqPmKu pic.twitter.com/6JBCYHp6SC
— Paul Tassi (@PaulTassi) November 2, 2024
Veilguard’s review controversy divides opinions
However, many of these negative reviews do not seem to be left in good faith. Interestingly, the review bombing has not significantly impacted the game on other platforms.
On Steam, The Veilguard retains mostly positive reviews. Many players praise its gameplay and storytelling, though some mention it feels different from previous Dragon Age games. Dragon Age: The Veilguard, previously known as Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, is the fourth game in the fantasy RPG series from BioWare.
It is a direct sequel to Dragon Age: Inquisition and focuses on the character Solas and the effects of red lyrium. As the gaming industry evolves, so will discussions around representation and inclusivity. Genuine critiques play a crucial role in the growth and improvement of the medium.
But it’s important to consider the broader context and motivations behind these reviews.
