It’s true that Anders himself is viewed negatively by basically everyone. But I agree with the essay’s characterization of Inquisition as a game which bends over backwards to reassure players that their reading of the mage/templar conflict is correct. Whichever faction you side with end up being perfect allies, the side you don’t pick become cartoon villains, and the game’s desperation to tell you that you’re right makes it feel like it doesn’t have any solid beliefs of its own.
Veilguard’s a bit more willing to stake out committed moral positions on the state of its world and characters, which I found really refreshing.