How Long to Beat Dragon Age: Veilguard – Dragon Age: Veilguard is an adventure-packed addition to the Dragon Age universe, immersing players in a world of magic, mystery, and thrilling combat. Veilguard’s storyline, combined with its side quests, character development, and vast exploration opportunities, can be a time investment for those who wish to experience everything it has to offer. For players wondering just how long it will take to beat Dragon Age: Veilguard, here’s an in-depth guide on the estimated playtime, breakdowns for various play styles, and tips for maximizing your gameplay.
Average Playtime to Complete Dragon Age: Veilguard
The time required to complete Dragon Age: Veilguard depends largely on your preferred play style, how deeply you explore the world, and whether you focus solely on the main storyline or take on optional content.
Main Story Only: If you’re focused on completing just the primary storyline, it will typically take around 20-25 hours to reach the end. This estimate assumes you’re not deviating to explore too many side quests, collectibles, or optional battles.
Main Story with Some Side Quests: For players who complete the main story along with some of the more accessible or interesting side quests, the estimated playtime can extend to 30-40 hours. This approach provides a richer experience, allowing players to build relationships with characters, explore more of the map, and earn additional rewards.
Completionist Playthrough: For those aiming to experience absolutely everything Veilguard has to offer, including all side quests, collectible hunts, character relationship arcs, and hidden secrets, a full completionist run may take 50-60 hours or more. This will allow players to uncover every hidden corner of the world and fully immerse themselves in the lore.
Factors That Affect Playtime
Several factors can influence how long it takes to complete Dragon Age: Veilguard. From combat strategies to exploration choices, here are some key considerations that may impact your overall playtime.
1. Exploration and World Map Size
Veilguard is designed with an expansive open world filled with secret areas, caves, dungeons, and hidden treasures. If you’re someone who enjoys investigating every part of the map and uncovering lore, your playtime will naturally extend. Areas can have varied difficulty levels and some might require multiple visits as you gain strength, adding more time to your exploration.
2. Difficulty Level and Combat Style
The combat difficulty you choose at the beginning of the game can significantly affect playtime. Here’s a quick breakdown:
- Easy Mode: Ideal for players who prioritize story over combat difficulty, this mode will allow you to breeze through most encounters, saving time on battles.
- Normal Mode: This offers a balanced experience. Battles may take longer than on Easy mode, especially during boss fights, but it provides a good blend of challenge and storytelling.
- Hard Mode and Above: For players who want a serious challenge, these modes can add several hours to gameplay. Boss battles, in particular, may take multiple attempts and require strategic planning, significantly extending playtime.
Main Story Missions Overview
The main storyline in Dragon Age: Veilguard is divided into multiple quests, each progressing the plot and leading the player closer to a climactic confrontation. The quests involve exploration, combat, and character-driven interactions. Here’s a rough outline of the main missions and their average time requirements:
1. Prologue and Introduction (1-2 hours)
The initial section introduces players to the game’s world, basic controls, and core mechanics. It’s relatively short but sets the tone for the adventure.
Act 1: Uncovering the Threat (3-5 hours)
This section delves into the primary conflict, introducing key characters and sending players to various regions for initial exploration and combat. Players will also begin unlocking key skills and abilities, which add depth to the game’s combat.
Act 2: Building Alliances (6-8 hours)
In Act 2, players must forge alliances with different factions, which often involves completing quests and earning the trust of various leaders. It’s a more involved part of the story, with multiple objectives and options for how to complete each mission.
Act 3: The Road to Confrontation (5-7 hours)
As the story ramps up, so does the difficulty and the stakes. Players will be facing tougher enemies, navigating difficult choices, and preparing for the final confrontation. This section is often filled with intense battles and plot twists.
2. Final Act: The Climax (4-6 hours)
The concluding act brings all story threads together in an epic finale. Boss battles here are usually more difficult, requiring skill and a solid strategy, which could extend playtime if multiple attempts are needed.
Major Side Quests and Optional Content
Side quests are one of the major factors that can extend the playtime for Dragon Age: Veilguard. Some quests provide valuable resources, gear, or lore about the world. Here’s an overview of some popular side quest categories and their estimated time requirements.
1. Character Companion Quests (1-3 hours per companion)
Companion quests are among the most rewarding side quests, both in terms of gameplay and narrative depth. Each companion character has their own questline that reveals their background, strengthens their abilities, and sometimes unlocks new skills.
2. Faction and Reputation Quests (3-5 hours)
Various factions populate the world of Veilguard, each offering a unique questline that helps build reputation and gain powerful allies. Completing these quests provides benefits such as new equipment, discounts on items, and even unique abilities.
3. Dungeon Crawling and Exploration (Variable)
Exploring dungeons is a key part of Veilguard, and players may spend anywhere from a few minutes to an hour in each dungeon, depending on its size and complexity. Many dungeons also contain rare loot or secrets, so completionists may want to explore each one thoroughly.
4. Hunting Legendary Monsters (2-4 hours)
Veilguard offers several rare or legendary monsters that can be hunted for high-value loot. Each encounter is challenging and often requires careful preparation. If you’re interested in collecting unique items or taking on a combat challenge, hunting these monsters is worthwhile.
Tips to Complete Dragon Age: Veilguard Efficiently
If you’re looking to streamline your playthrough, here are a few tips to help save time while still getting the most out of Dragon Age: Veilguard.
1. Focus on Main Objectives First
For players aiming to complete the main story quickly, stick to primary objectives. You can choose a few side quests along the way, especially those that reward gear or experience, but focusing on the main questline will prevent unnecessary detours.
2. Level Up Strategically
In Veilguard, leveling up strategically can save time on difficult encounters. Focus on skills that boost your damage output and survival rate. Certain classes and skills can help you breeze through combat encounters, especially in Normal or Easy mode.
3. Use Fast Travel Options
Fast travel, once unlocked, is invaluable for cutting down travel time. Familiarize yourself with the fast travel points, especially between major quest areas, to minimize unnecessary exploration time.
4. Gear Up for Boss Fights
Some of the main story missions have boss battles that can slow down your progress if you’re not prepared. Make sure to equip the best gear available and use consumables for health and mana boosts.
Wrapping Up Your Adventure in Veilguard
Dragon Age: Veilguard offers a deep and compelling experience that players can enjoy at their own pace. For those focusing on the main storyline, around 20-25 hours should be sufficient, while completionists aiming to see every aspect of the game can expect 50-60 hours or more. Whether you’re chasing down every quest or sticking to the main path, this guide should help you navigate the journey ahead with ease.
So gear up, gather your companions, and prepare to delve into the world of Veilguard. With the right approach, you’ll conquer the challenges, uncover hidden treasures, and enjoy a truly memorable Dragon Age adventure!
