BioWare’s attempt to make its latest RPG, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, more approachable has fallen flat. In contrast, Capcom’s Monster Hunter: Wilds has achieved massive success by streamlining its complex gameplay and combat mechanics.
The two games are trying to reach a broader audience, but their strategies have led to vastly different results. While Baldur’s Gate 3 continues to attract players with its long-term design, The Veilguard struggled to find an audience after launch. Monster Hunter: Wilds’ emphasis on story, characters, and accessibility has resonated with fans, shifting eight million copies in its first three days.
The key to Monster Hunter’s success lies in its ability to retain the series’ complexity while making it more accessible. The game still delivers a challenging combat experience, but with a better on-ramp for new players. In contrast, Dragon Age: The Veilguard oversimplified its gameplay and mechanics, leading to a watered-down experience.
The most notable example of this is the lack of health bars in Monster Hunter’s combat system. This design choice allows for more intense and thrilling battles, as players must constantly adapt to their enemies’ movements. In contrast, Dragon Age: The Veilguard’s streamlined combat is more straightforward but less engaging.
Ultimately, making a game more approachable isn’t a one-size-fits-all tactic. Monster Hunter Wilds’ success highlights the importance of balancing accessibility with depth and complexity. While Dragon Age: The Veilguard may have lost some of its identity in the process of simplifying its gameplay, Monster Hunter’s approach has allowed it to thrive in a crowded market.
Source: https://www.thegamer.com/monster-hunter-wilds-why-not-flopping-dragon-age-the-veilguard