How to Play the Dragon Age Games and DLCs in Order

Which Dragon Age Sport Ought to You Play First?

In case you’re simply wanting to decide up a brand new RPG, or solely have time to get by one sport earlier than Veilguard, you possibly can keep on with the most up-to-date launch. Dragon Age: Inquisition has the most accessible gameplay and it truly runs on PC and new-gen consoles. It’s additionally the solely open world sport in the sequence.

For the full “Dragon Age expertise,” you’re going to have to play Origins sooner or later. The impression of the participant’s selections in earlier video games is a promoting level of Dragon Age, and there’s one thing particularly satisfying about enjoying by the penalties of your personal actions, assembly characters and shaping conflicts that carry significance all through the sequence. So yeah, it runs terribly on PC, however with the proper settings (and perhaps some mods), it’s value wanting previous some lower than stimulating mechanics to expertise a narrative-driven fantasy RPG at its finest.

What About All That Different Stuff?

As a result of a serious characteristic of the video games is impactful decision-making, a “Bioware canon” exists for media exterior of the video games. Lots of these items is nice for understanding extra about essential characters and scratching the Thedas lore itch, however that’s my phrase of warning for anybody significantly connected to their very own in-game outcomes. Basically, I’d suggest studying no matter is “related” to the DA video games and characters you want most. That mentioned, for those who’re going to learn something to set you up for Veilguard, I might suggest the most up-to-date comedian, The Missing.

The Full Dragon Age Timeline, Defined

In case you’re making an attempt to “begin at the starting” of Dragon Age, it’s best to begin with Origins and then loop again to these. However, for the sake of timeline accuracy, these technically happen earlier than any mainline Dragon Age sport.

*Warning: Whereas I attempted my finest to preserve this record freed from main spoilers, there are mentions of some characters and conflicts that re-appear throughout the sequence

The Stolen Throne & The Calling (Novels)

[8:96-9:00] & [9:10–9:11]

Two novels happen earlier than Origins, each penned by Origins’ lead author, David Gaider. The Stolen Throne begins when the Queen of Fereldan, Moira Theirin, is murdered in 8:96. Her son, Maric, works with Loghain Mac Tir to discover these accountable whereas additionally grappling with an invasion from the neighboring nation of Orlais. The Calling picks up a few decade after the occasions of Stolen Throne, however continues to deal with Maric with appearances from a sure younger Gray Warden.

Daybreak of the Seeker (Animated Film)

[9:22]

After the launch of Dragon Age II, Bioware tried out animated movie-making. In collaboration with FUNimation, Daybreak of the Seeker is an origin story for Cassandra Pentaghast, a personality in Dragon Age II and companion in Inquisition. The film follows Cassandra in the land of Ferelden’s neighbor, Orlais, and explores her path to turning into Seeker.

Leliana’s Music (Origins DLC)

[9:28]

As the title suggests, this Origins DLC explores the backstory of Leliana, a foremost companion in Origins who returns as an advisor in Inquisition.

Dragon Age: Origins (Sport)

[9:30]

The sport that began all of it. After a prologue sequence outlined by the collection of one in all six character backgrounds, the participant is recruited right into a noble guild of warriors tasked with battling haunted humanoid creatures referred to as Darkspawn. As one in all the final Gray Wardens, the participant should journey throughout Ferelden, navigating advanced political machinations to construct a military that may tackle the biggest Darkspawn menace.

All of DA:O takes place inside one 12 months. Whereas sure questlines can really feel like a royal ache 15 years after launch, the writing of our first publicity to Thedas (and how a lot management the participant has over it) makes this darkish and tactical motion RPG my favourite sport of all time.

*Stone Prisoner, Warden’s Hold, The Darkspawn Chronicles, and Return to Ostagar are all DLC’s that add questlines and further content material to the foremost marketing campaign.

Warden’s Fall (Mini-Sequence)

This Machinima-made mini-series hyperlinks Origins to Awakening. Every half is simply about 5 minutes, so you possibly can watch the full factor in about 30.

Awakening (Origins DLC)

[~9:31]

Awakening is just about a full enlargement to Dragon Age: Origins, choosing up about 6 months after the first sport with nearly 20 hours of further content material. Due to some Dragon Age II choices, the “canon-ness” of this enlargement’s place on the timeline is slightly doubtful, however I personally suppose it has one in all the most compelling tales in the sequence that’s nonetheless value enjoying by.

Golems of Amgarrak (Origins DLC)

This DLC chronologically takes place after Awakening. I don’t have an excessive amount of to say about it apart from, in contrast to the base sport, it’s a lot more challenging.

Witch Hunt (Origins DLC)

[9:32]

The final Origins DLC to be launched, Witch Hunt checks up on what Origins companion Morrigan is up to a pair years after the first sport’s conclusion (technically after the begin of Dragon Age II, however I’d nonetheless play this after Origins first). With out too many spoilers, I’d argue that is the most essential Origins DLC for the remainder of the Dragon Age sequence.

Dragon Age II Brief Tales

Earlier than DA:2

Dragon Age II inaugurated the “quick story” custom for DA video games, beginning with “prequel” quick tales for every of the seven foremost companions. I’m sticking the assortment right here for simplicity, however every story takes place at varied factors earlier than the begin of DA2. You possibly can learn all of them on-line here.

Dragon Age II (Sport)

[Prologue: 9:30 Acts 1-3: 9:31-37]

Throughout the Fifth Blight, the Hawke household is caught up in the wave of refugees compelled to abandon their properties in Ferelden. After battling Darkspawn (and encountering a sure witch/dragon/icon), the participant winds up at the gates of Kirkwall, searching for refuge for his or her household. Over the course of 10 years, Hawke will get roped into all types of chaos above and beneath floor whereas making an attempt to survive and, dare I say, thrive, in the “sh**gap” that’s Kirkwall.

Timeline-wise, the opening sequence of Dragon Age II takes place throughout the Blight of DA:O, however Acts 1 by 3 take you from 9:31 to 9:37. Yeah, this one’s acquired so much happening. And whereas Dragon Age II was a notoriously rushed manufacturing, this odyssey of a sport dives deeper into the political intrigue of Thedas, increasing on the Qunari in addition to the dynamic between mages and Templars that continues to be at the forefront of the Dragon Age sequence.

*Exiled Prince, Mark of the Murderer, The Black Emporium, and Legacy are all DLC’s that add questlines and further content material to the foremost marketing campaign, although Legacy does discover Hawke’s previous.

Dragon Age: Redemption (Brief Sequence)

[~9:31]

Whereas launched as a tie-in to the Mark of the Murderer DLC for Dragon Age II, this quick sequence from Felicia Day introduces her character, Tallis, and takes place sooner or later earlier than the finish of Dragon Age II: Act 1.

The Silent Grove, These Who Communicate, and Till We Sleep (Comics)

[~9:38-9:40]

There aren’t any Dragon Age II DLCs that happen after the base sport, however DA: II did lead to the begin of the canon “Dragon Age” comics. First up in launch and timeline order was The Silent Grove, a six-issue comedian sequence that follows Alistair, accompanied by Isabela and Varric, as he heads to Antiva to examine what occurred to a sure Fereldan King. These Who Communicate picks up the place The Silent Grove leaves off, increasing on the backstory of Alistair, in explicit. Till We Sleep concludes this explicit comedian sequence with three remaining points, which, on prime of exhibiting extra of the Tevinter Imperium, additionally present explicit perception into Dragon Age’s pseudo-narrator, Varric Tethras.

Asunder (Novel)

[9:40]

The third Dragon Age novel and the remaining one to be penned by David Gaider, Asunder explains the origins of the Mage-Templar Warfare that, regardless of climaxing in Inquisition, aren’t actually defined in-game. The novel particularly addresses what occurs to the Seekers, the Circle of Magi, and the Templars after Dragon Age II however earlier than Inquisition.

The Masked Empire (Novel)

[9:40]

The Masked Empire is one other direct tie-in novel for organising Inquisition, bringing the reader to Orlais and organising the political dynamics between the Empress and her rivals that in the end lead to my private favourite questline in Inquisition.

The Final Flight (Novel)

[9:41 & ~5:12-5:20]

This one is hard as a result of it technically follows two timelines: one in 9:41, and the different approach again in the Exalted Age throughout the Fourth Blight. As a result of I wouldn’t suggest anybody begin their Dragon Age expertise with this novel, I’m inserting it right here, however sure, to be clear, this Gray Warden-based novel additionally extends again the farthest of any Dragon Age media listed.

Dragon Age: Inquisition Brief Tales

Earlier than DA: I

As a substitute of quick tales primarily based on companions, Bioware launched three tales about different facet characters which can be vital in Inquisition. Paper & Metal, Paying the Ferryman, and the Riddle of Reality had been all launched alongside the World of Thedas Vol. 2 and happen between DA2 and Inquisition. You possibly can learn all three of them here.

Dragon Age: Inquisition (Sport)

[9:41-9:42]

The latest mainline DA sport begins at the top of tensions between mages and Templars, when an explosion throughout peace talks at the Chantry has disastrous penalties for the establishments retaining Thedas collectively. This explosion seems to be a tear in the Fade, and the participant assumes the position of an Inquisitor who’s the just one geared up to cease the demons and spirits rising from the breach from taking on.

In a return to the type of Origins, DA: I has the participant battling a direct, civilization-ending menace, so the narrative is considerably much less sprawling than Dragon Age II. DA: I additionally introduced again the selection of various character backgrounds that affect how the participant is handled in and by the world of Thedas (which, notably, now options each Ferelden and Orlais). Whereas rather less tactical than earlier DA video games, Inquisition’s killer story and expansive world nonetheless made it our Sport of the 12 months for 2014.

*Jaws of Hakkon and The Descent are DLCs that may be performed after ending Inquisition, however I take into account it a participant choice how these match into the timeline.

Magekiller (Comedian)

[9:41-42]

This five-issue comedian follows Marius and Tessa, blood mage hunters, throughout the Inquisition. Whereas the comedian technically begins earlier than Inquisition, most of the storyline intertwines with the occasions of the sport, so it makes extra sense to learn this after enjoying.

Dragon Age: Trespasser (Inquisition DLC)

[9:44]

Comparable to Awakening, this Inquisition DLC provides an honest quantity of content material, and can also be in all probability the most essential factor on this record exterior of mainline video games in phrases of organising Veilguard. A number of years after Inquisition ends, this enlargement has the Inquisitor examine who actually kicked off the occasions that tore open the Fade. In case you play by Inquisition, you higher make it by Trespasser.

The Knight Errant (Comedian)

[~9:44]

The Knight Errant follows an elven squire who heads to Kirkwall for the appointment of a brand new Viscount, and like anybody who goes to that forsaken metropolis, will get caught up in a a lot bigger mess. It’s not tremendous clear when this five-issue comedian is ready, however with characters from the Inquisition assuming new roles in Thedas, my guess is throughout or proper after Trespasser.

Dragon Age: Absolution (TV Sequence)

[~9:44]

Bioware collaborated with Korean animation firm Pink Canine Tradition Home for this six-episode Netflix sequence. With some completely new characters (Matt Mercer could also be concerned), alongside some Dragon Age staples, we famous in our evaluation this present could be slightly exhausting to entry with out some earlier DA expertise, nevertheless it’s nonetheless a reasonably enjoyable trip. Based mostly on some references to each Inquisition and Trespasser, I’m inserting this Tevinter-based sequence towards the finish of our record.

Deception, Blue Wraith, and Darkish Fortress (Comics)

[9:40-9:45]

Mixed into an anthology referred to as The Wraiths of Tevinter, these three comedian sequence all (for the most half) happen after Trespasser and, as the title would counsel, in the Tevinter Imperium. Humorous sufficient, that’s additionally the place the subsequent sport is ready, so it’s greater than doubtless these post-Inquisition comics are organising some characters and conflicts we’ll see extra of.

Deception begins this assortment off with a brand new character’s schemes in the metropolis of Ventus, which is being threatened by a Qunari invasion. Over three points, the comedian has appearances from the Tevinter-based companions of earlier video games and expands on the position of the Venatori.

For these of you who crave extra of a sure angsty, white-haired elf from Dragon Age II, these subsequent ones are for you. Blue Wraith begins round 9:40, however rapidly timeskips to decide up in 9:44-45 as the battle continues to broil between Tevinter and the Qunari. Darkish Fortress is a reasonably direct follow-up to Blue Wraith, with all three points enjoying out over 9:45.

Tevinter Nights (Novel/Anthology)

[9:44-9:45]

As an anthology of quick tales, it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint an actual place on this timeline for Tevinter Nights. A lot of the tales overlap with the Tevinter-based comics above, making it a matter of non-public choice (in my opinion) which you begin with. Of observe, a few of the characters that first appeared in these tales have been revealed as foremost companions for Veilguard.

The Lacking (Comedian)

[9:45]

The latest piece of launched canon Dragon Age media, The Lacking is a 4 concern comedian sequence the place Varric and everybody’s favourite scout try to observe down an outdated good friend from Inquisition. This one is, by all indications, a reasonably direct tie-in for The Veilguard, so for those who’re going to decide up any bodily Dragon Age studying earlier than the new sport, it ought to in all probability be this (however be sure to play Inquisition and Trespasser first).

Dragon Age Day Brief Tales

Earlier than DA:TV

Like the remainder of the quick tales on this record, these snippets bounce round timeline-wise. However let’s minimize to the chase: these are already categorized as “Veilguard” quick tales on EA’s web site, and a few them characteristic identified Veilguard companions. Seven of those tales have been printed over 2020-2023, and you could find all of them here.

BONUS: Exhausting in Hightown (Novella)

Dragon Age II and Inquisition companion Varric Tethras is an writer, made well-known in explicit for his novel, Exhausting in Hightown. Whilst you can gather components of the novel in Codex-form throughout Inquisition, you may as well learn the full novella (with illustrations) as an eBook. It’s fiction inside fiction, so no actual timeline relevance, however hey, it’s enjoyable.

Dragon Age Media in Launch Order

Dragon Age Games + DLCs in Launch Order:

• Dragon Age: Origins: Nov 2009
  • Awakening: March 2010
  • Leliana’s Music: July 2010
  • Golems of Amgarrak: August 2010
  • Witch Hunt: Sept 2010
• Dragon Age II: March 2011
  • Exiled Prince: March 2011
  • The Black Emporium: March 2011
  • Legacy: July 2011
  • Mark of the Murderer: October 2011
• Dragon Age: Inquisition: November 2014
  • Jaws of Hakkon: March 2015
  • The Black Emporium: Might 2015
  • The Descent: August 2015
  • Trespasser: September 2015

Dragon Age Novels in Launch Order:

• The Stolen Throne: March 2009
• The Calling: October 2009
• Asunder: Dec 2011
• The Masked Empire: April 2014
• Final Flight: September 2014
• Tevinter Nights: March 2020

Dragon Age Comics in Digital Launch Order:

• The Silent Grove: Feb-Might 2012
• These Who Communicate: Aug-Nov 2012
• Till We Sleep: March-Might 2013
• Magekiller: Dec 2015-April 2016
• Knight Errant: Might-Sept 2017
• Deception: Oct-Dec 2018
• Blue Wraith: Jan-March 2020
• Darkish Fortress: March-Might 2021
• The Lacking: Jan-Might 2023

What’s Subsequent for Dragon Age?

15 years since Origins and 10 years since Inquisition, I wasn’t positive if we’d see one other Dragon Age sport. However then, swiftly, in early 2024, The Veilguard (beforehand often known as Dreadwolf) was introduced as a launch coming later this 12 months. Not typically you see that in gaming anymore. Dragon Age: The Veilguard is ready to launch on October 31, with pre-orders obtainable for PC, PS5, and Xbox Sequence S | X.

Bioware has already been unleashing fairly intensive previews of this subsequent Dragon Age. For one factor, we already know the place Veilguard matches in the timeline. I’ll keep away from spoilers for these making an attempt to go in as blind as attainable, however we realized so much about the course of this sport from IGN’s hands-on preview. Bioware’s additionally revealed particulars about the character creator, romance choices, and how choices from Inquisition will carry over. For individuals who need an actual sneak peek, you possibly can even watch the first 20 minutes of Veilguard gameplay.