IfMass Effectis anything to go by, BioWare can make some incredible visuals in their games, andDragon Age: The Veilguardis no exception to this claim.
The newest game in the Dragon Age franchise brings a great deal to the table, but one of its strongest aspects is how it looks.
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The Veilguard brings a number of different locations across Northern Thedas (and more), such as Minrathous, Treviso, and Arlathan Forest. While they all look stunning in their own rights, this article aims to bring the best to the table, so let’s get into it.
11Gaspin Manor
Might Need The Scooby Gang For This One
Visual Tone
Most Relevant Companion(s)
Davrin and Neve Gallus
Located in the Wetlands, Gaspin Manor makes this list mainly due to its overall vibe. While it isn’t the prettiest zone,it sells the “haunted mansion” aesthetic.
The dark and cloudy night sky, dead bodies leaving behind notes, parts of the building’s infrastructure exposed, Venatori trying to unlock its secrets, demons floating around like they own the place; it all comes together so well.
And on top of all that,the presence of the Blight makes it even spookier.
10Fallen Chantry
Please Kick The Venatori Out Already
Lucanis Dellamorte
The Fallen Chantry of Treviso iswhere you help Lucanisfight Zara Renata, and it truly matches the foreboding and ominous vibe of the threat Zara poses as a high-ranking blood mage.
The chantry is so large yet so empty. You can even hear the echoes as your footsteps click along the shiny, tiled floor.
Those things, coupled with the reddish-orange lighting coming through the windows, set an unmissable tone.
9Necropolis Halls
Humungous Skeletons, At The Ready!
Emmrich Volkarin
The Grand Necropolis – which is the heart and soul of theMourn Watch faction– is what you would expect from something called “The Grand Necropolis:” spooky buildings with a heavy theme of skulls and skeletons of varying sizes.
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However, even going into this place knowing this, the sight of Necropolis Halls was something else.
The sheer scale of the skeleton statuesflanking the sides of this place is absolutely staggering. The soft, smoky lighting does a great job of helping set the scene as well.
All in all, this isnecromantic architecture done right.
8Isana Negat
How Do You Even Kill That?
Lace Harding
There is a titan’s corpse resting along the mountain rangeof Isana Negat. Not only does this look phenomenal (and that’s not even mentioning the clouded lighting behind it), but its implications from a narrative perspective are… a lot.
Also, the titan’s body against the mountains really shows off thegargantuan scale of these imposing beings, dwarfing the skeleton statues of Necropolis Halls.
And then there’s what’s below and within….
7Dellamorte Estates
Lucanis Is Really Living It Up…
Foreboding
The second location in Treviso on this list is the Dellamorte Estates. While they have a slightly different tone about them than the Fallen Chantry,their grandeur is apparent.
While the buildings have a very clearhistorical inspiration(and one that is reflected quite well), the statues in the courtyard really make these estates unique.
The visual motif of the crowto represent the main symbol of the Antivan crows is done impeccably well, and allows the statues to function as a firm reminder of whose territory you’re treading upon when seeing them.
6Lyrium Sanctum
Big, Blue, Pretty Rocks
Beneath Kal’Sharok Outpost is a massiveunderground complex filled with humongous lyrium crystal pillarsthat look absolutely stunning, especially when the lyrium glows. And that’s not even mentioning the temple at the center of this place, as shown in the image above.
With the angular architecture of the dwarves speckled in there (which complements the angular nature of the lyrium), along with thelarge greathammer-wielding constructs, this underground area is quite a sight.
And also quite scary, because you know – for a fact – at least one of those constructs is coming to life. Why would they be there otherwise?
5Elven Ruins
Solas Takes Us To The Nicest Places
Bellara Lutare
While the entire area of Arlathan Forest is gorgeous (as most elven places are), the floating islands of the Elven Ruins are a clear standout. AndBellarawould certainly agree.
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Theupward-flowing waterthat weaves around the islands, along with thefloating rocksin a pattern that mirrors that of the water is excellent on the eyes, but then there’sthe centerpiece of this area: the Archive Temple.
The Archive Temple is one of the more intact buildings in these floating ruins, and it stands out the most partly due to that. But, it mainly stands out because of thehuge green ball of energy surrounded by three giant golden ringsdirectly above it.
It’s no wonder Solas decided to perform his ritual here.
4High Anderfels
If Only Gryphons Were Flying Here Too…
The High Anderfels is where you go to recruitDavrin, your Grey Warden companion, and what a sight it is to behold.
Peer into the distance to see the full reach of this area for an absolutelybreathtaking view of cloud-reaching mountains, glorious silhouetted buildings, and agolden hour sun.
There’s nothing like a sun-kissed vista to stop you in your tracks and make you put off saving the world for a little while, and this spot puts many to shame in that regard.
3Kal’Sharok Outpost
Leave It To Dwarves To Build Something Like This
You first visit Kal’Sharok Outpost while on Harding’s companion quest to help her understand her magic better, and boy, is it a sight.
Although a great deal of this area is infested with blight, there is no mistaking the beautiful and angular design of the place with itsmarble and gold-trimmed architecture.
And that’s not even mentioning thehumongous statues of dwarves guarding the entranceand those wielding mine picks through the outpost.
Three key things come to mind when thinking about dwarves – mines, forges, and gigantic statues – and Kal’Sharok Outpost certainly checks all those boxes,hitting the dwarven feel and aesthetic extremely well.
2The Ossuary
Try Not To Drown On Your Way There
The Ossuary is anunderwater prison beneath Trevisoand is somewhere you go relatively early on in the game to rescue one of your team’sbest companions: Lucanis Dellamorte.
Despite the cruel and inhumane practices being done by the Venatori upon mortals and spirits in this prison, there’s no arguing with how gorgeous it is. Especially considering how hit-or-miss underwater locations can be in games.
Granted, the prison is in a bit of a damaged state, but that only makes it look even better, giving it aneerie and beautiful “sunken ruins” vibe. The regal and fancy design of the architecture is even reminiscent of some depictions of Atlantis.
