Dragon Age: The True Canon to Sandal Should Have Been in Inquisition and The Veilguard
By [Poe Egerton]
The Dragon Age series has always thrived on its rich lore, compelling characters, and deep world-building. Yet, as Dragon Age: The Veilguard nears release, it's becoming evident that BioWare has left much of its past storytelling potential on the table. One of the most glaring missed opportunities is the absence of Sandal—the enigmatic dwarven savant with cryptic connections to the Fade and the mysterious workings of the world. His true canon story, hinted at throughout Dragon Age: Origins and Dragon Age II, should have been fully explored in Inquisition and certainly in The Veilguard.
Instead, BioWare seems to be distancing itself from its own narrative roots, making drastic changes that feel less like creative evolution and more like a deliberate attempt to sever ties with what made Dragon Age great. The result? A game launching with failure attached to it—seemingly engineered to alienate long-time fans and sink the franchise altogether.
Sandal: The Forgotten Key to Dragon Age’s Greatest Mystery
For those who have followed the Dragon Age series closely, Sandal was never just a quirky side character. His bizarre prophetic statements, unnatural magical abilities despite being a dwarf, and cryptic comments about the "coming darkness" painted him as a crucial figure in the unfolding events of Thedas. His fate was left unresolved after Dragon Age II, with Inquisition failing to provide even a hint of closure.
The idea that Veilguard—a game set to revolve around the chaos of the Veil and the looming war against Solas—has completely ignored Sandal’s role is a baffling decision. Given his unexplained knowledge of the Fade, his connection to enchantments that defy logic, and the hints that he may be something far more than he appears, he should have played a pivotal role in the upcoming game. Yet, BioWare seems intent on ignoring its own world-building.
The Problem with The Veilguard: A Deliberate Disconnect?
It’s one thing for a franchise to evolve; it’s another to abandon its foundations entirely. The Veilguard is not just a departure from Dragon Age’s past—it feels like a reboot disguised as a sequel. The drastic shift in tone, the erasure of key past characters, and the complete abandonment of the game’s darkest, most intriguing mysteries suggest a deliberate effort to steer the franchise into unfamiliar and, arguably, unwelcome territory.
This raises a serious question: Was Veilguard designed to fail? The early response from fans has been overwhelmingly negative, with criticisms aimed at the game’s art direction, character designs, and its apparent prioritization of accessibility over depth. It’s as if BioWare is setting the stage for Dragon Age to fizzle out, blaming the fans for “not showing up” when, in reality, the studio has systematically removed everything that once made the series compelling.
Missed Potential: A Series That Could Have Been So Much More
Dragon Age has a wealth of unfinished stories and unexplored lore that could have strengthened Veilguard’s narrative. The unresolved fates of characters like Sandal, the Architect, and even the Grey Wardens’ mysterious origins are just a few examples of threads left hanging. Instead of capitalizing on these established storylines, BioWare appears to be wiping the slate clean, ignoring the very lore that set Dragon Age apart from other fantasy RPGs.
The idea that Veilguard could have seamlessly woven these elements into its narrative makes the game’s current trajectory even more frustrating. If Sandal had been given his rightful place in the story, if Veilguard had truly embraced its own lore instead of discarding it, the game could have been a triumphant continuation rather than what now feels like a poorly executed soft reboot.
Conclusion: A Franchise Lost in Its Own Shadow
At its core, Dragon Age was always about intricate storytelling, deep lore, and meaningful choices. By failing to acknowledge its past, BioWare isn’t just making a questionable design choice—it’s actively dismantling the very essence of what made Dragon Age beloved.
The absence of Sandal in Inquisition and now Veilguard is more than just an oversight; it’s symbolic of the larger problem plaguing the series. Fans who have invested years in Dragon Age’s world deserve better than a watered-down sequel that ignores its own past.
At this point, one has to wonder: Is this neglect by accident, or by design? BioWare failure with Veilguard will blame its fans—or finally, acknowledge the mistakes that led to the franchise’s decline?
Dragon Age's Futures?
The release of "Dragon Age: The Veilguard" on October 31, 2024, marked the fourth major installment in BioWare's acclaimed fantasy role-playing series. Despite its critical acclaim and strong initial sales—topping Steam charts and breaking BioWare's concurrent player records—the game engaged approximately 1.5 million players in its first two months, falling nearly 50% short of Electronic Arts' (EA) expectations.
This underperformance had significant repercussions. In January 2025, EA announced a downward revision of its annual revenue forecast, attributing the shortfall to the disappointing sales of both "The Veilguard" and "EA Sports FC 25." Concurrently, BioWare underwent a major restructuring, resulting in layoffs and the reassignment of several team members to other EA studios. Notably, the studio confirmed that there are no plans for downloadable content (DLC) for "The Veilguard," as the focus shifts entirely to the development of "Mass Effect 5."
These developments have led to speculation about the future of the Dragon Age franchise. While the current outlook appears uncertain, neither EA nor BioWare have issued statements indicating the termination of the series. The decision to forgo DLC for "The Veilguard" and redirect resources toward the next Mass Effect title may suggest a strategic pause rather than an end. Given the franchise's storied history and dedicated fanbase, it remains plausible that BioWare will revisit the Dragon Age universe in the future.
In conclusion, while "Dragon Age: The Veilguard" did not meet commercial expectations, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that it marks the end of the Dragon Age series. The franchise's future will likely depend on BioWare's strategic priorities and the evolving dynamics of the gaming market.
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