Veilguard If I Haven’t Played The Other Games?

The first Dragon Age game was released in 2009. Dragon Age: Inquisition was released in 2015 and was the latest game in the series up until 2024. It’s safe to say that BioWare fans have been waiting for The Veilguard for a while now.

Varric Tethras, Cullen Rutherford and Leliana speaking to the Inquisitor in Dragon Age: Inquisition.

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The real question is, do you need to play the previous games in order to understand Dragon Age: The Veilguard? There are now four mainline Dragon Age games. BioWare is known for crossing story content over throughout a franchise. Here is everything you need to know, without spoilers.

Does The Story From Inquisition Continue Into Veilguard?

A close up of Solas from Inquisition and a close up of Solas from Veilguard.

Yes. Kind of. The main story of the Inquisition does not continue into The Veilguard: only side characters, small details, and one big plot twist.

At the end of Dragon Age: Inquisition, a plot twist was revealed. The previous story was over, and a new one began. That is where The Veilguard comes in. Those who completed Inquisition will be in the same boat as those who are starting Veilguard with a clean slate.

Lore-wise, all Dragon Age games interconnect, as they reference stories from previous games often.

Do You Need To Play The Inquisition First?

An elf Inquisitor in Val Royeux, looking over a balcony in Dragon Age Inquisition.

No. The game does a good job of letting the player know what’s going on in the case that you have not played the last game. Players who have not played the last game would only be confused when companions name-drop characters from the previous games.

If you are not already familiar with this world by playing a previous game, you may be confused about references. References to world events and strange words such as the Venatori and Andraste. The lore of Dragon Age runs very deep, but you’ll be able to pick up bad guys from good guys.

The only thing you would be missing by not playing the last game is nostalgia and compassion for certain characters. If you play Inquisition first, side characters become cameos with a history you know well. You may even see the main villain in a different light.