Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals Early Plans for Solas

Early Dragon Age: The Veilguard Concept Art Reveals a Darker Solas

Early concept sketches by former BioWare artist Nick Thornborrow offer a fascinating glimpse into the evolution of Solas's character in Dragon Age: The Veilguard. These sketches, showcased on Thornborrow's website, reveal a more overtly vengeful and god-like Solas than the advisor role he ultimately plays in the final game.

Thornborrow, who contributed to The Veilguard's development by creating a visual novel prototype to explore story ideas, shared over 100 sketches. While many scenes closely resemble their in-game counterparts, Solas's portrayal differs significantly in several key instances. The concept art depicts him as a far more imposing and sinister figure, often depicted as an enormous, shadowy being. This contrasts with his largely dream-based advisory role in the released game.

The discrepancy between concept and final product highlights the significant story evolution The Veilguard underwent. While the initial Veil-rending scene appears largely unchanged, other scenes featuring Solas underwent dramatic alterations. The ambiguity surrounding these changes leaves open the question of whether certain events depicted in the concept art occurred within Rook's dreams or manifested in the real world.

This behind-the-scenes look provides valuable context for fans. The significant time gap between Dragon Age: Inquisition and The Veilguard, coupled with the last-minute title change from Dragon Age: Dreadwolf, already suggested substantial narrative shifts during development. Thornborrow's sketches offer a tangible illustration of these changes, bridging the gap between initial vision and the final game. The contrast between the vengeful god persona hinted at in the early concepts and the more nuanced portrayal in the finished game provides a richer understanding of Solas's complex character arc.

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