I still don't understand Niv in Dragon Age: Veilguard

I always thought Dragon Age: The Veilguard would live and die by its companions, and the fact that they've proven so divisive is probably why the general reaction has been similar. In terms of overall archetype, it has some unique features. Emmrich as the charming old goth is eccentric, but against the odds, he sticks the landing. Davrin is the first of a few good men who have taken care of me. But there are mistakes elsewhere.

I think Taash's coming out is intentionally harsh, and as divisive as the game as a whole, but all things considered, I'm on the Veilguard's side here. Bellara grows on you too. However, Harding's connection to the Inquisition was never established, nor was Lucanis possessed by Spite. Even though it's much more interesting than the predictable family drama he finds himself in. And then there's Neve. Ah, Nev…

Bad acting can derail a character and even a game.

I soured on Neve almost immediately. It was the fact that he called her 'Nev' and not 'Neev' (or more accurately 'Niamh') as if she were a 50-year-old scrum half a bar down. But unfortunately it doesn't get much better. I think every character, even Emmrich, could be improved upon with the game being more committed to the personal traits, individual struggles, and human nature of his companions instead of making them pleasant and supportive, but at least the delivery works. Except in the case of Neve.

Acting is my least favorite criticism of any video game. For example, if there is a problem with the level design, the blame falls on the entire team. A group of developers working against unknown constraints and unsupported (or even hindered) by leadership did not produce the best possible results. And when someone complains, that pain is shared across a team of anonymous employees, diluting it until it's barely felt. Acting isn't like that.

There's still a whole team involved in bringing the characters to life, from the writing to the art style to the direction, but the voice belongs to one person. Directing can improve (or worsen) a person's delivery, but acting shines a lonely spotlight. After seeing the abuse directed at the actors behind The Last of Us Part 2's Abby Anderson (a comical overreaction to her character's in-game actions) and Resident Evil 4's Ada Wong (a misunderstanding of the tone of her intentional ambitions), I'm heartbroken. It is not included. Actors are selected one by one.

But to think of them as anything more than a criticism simply because they are being nice is a disservice to their work and the industry, and I suspect that Neve's performance issues are linked to Veilguard's problems as a whole.

Neve is consistently inconsistent.

I'm not sure if this issue is mostly the fault of the writing or if it's completely unrelated. But I'm sure I only have a limited understanding of who Neve is. Half the time she writes as a mysterious femme fatale, keeping her cards close to her chest in the shadows but with the unwavering moral compass of a faux-medieval Black Widow. The other half is exhausted, ripe, with rain as thick as oatmeal and twice as cold as Sam Spade. Sam Spade is a detective weary of her duty to do the right thing, who knows that life would be much easier if the corruption around her disappeared. Don't hurt her to the core.

These two parts could have balanced each other out (albeit a difficult question) if it weren't for the fact that Neve, like every character in the game, is never selfish and doesn't hold grudges narratively. If the strengthening mechanism suggests that she does so. There's also a third half fighting for air amidst the already overcrowded characterization, writing her as a benevolent Robin Hood figure, although it's not entirely enjoyable.

Balancing these parts can be difficult at the best of times, but the flat performances that promise none of them make even Bailguard's endlessly wonderful tedium of the entire cast impossible. Later in the game, my friendship with Neve was the lowest on the team. Because I didn't take her anywhere, but chose Harding for the ritual and saved Treviso. I eliminated her several times in hopes of getting everyone's approval rating of 10, and this time, her vocal performance began to shine even more.

This culminated in Blood of Arlathan, an important story quest that for some reason was built around Neve. She must use her authoritative influence to get the Venatori to step down, believing that Neve is senior among them and Rook is her servant. If the way Neve speaks to him is to be believed, he must be the stupidest Venatori alive.

This is the moment where Neve's character's weakness is determined. She is no Black Widow, no Sam Spade, no Robin Hood. She's a crudely assembled collection of table-read level line deliveries stitched together into something that manages to be less than the sum of its parts.

Comparing peers across games is difficult because you have to take into account changes in tone, time spent with different characters, quality of writing, and changes in audience attitudes. I consider the Veil Guard among the weaker Dragon Age items, but I still have companions that I love just as much as my favorite. But Neve is not one of them. Failure to commit to character depth that allows for personas other than the kind and helpful persona puts Neve in a difficult position. Confusing direction and bland delivery that tried to appeal to every nook and cranny of her tropes couldn't fix that, and as a result, she's the lowest light of The Veilguard.

Open Critic

Top Critic Rating:
81/100

released

October 31, 2024