Where to Start · Dragon Age
Where to Start with Dragon Age
Dragon Age is BioWare's dark fantasy RPG franchise running since 2009 — set in the world of Thedas, a continent of warring nations, ancient darkspawn threats, and political conflict between mages and templars. The series follows different protagonists across entries but the world, its history, and its recurring characters connect the games into a continuous narrative.
Dragon Age is BioWare's fantasy counterpart to Mass Effect — deep character relationships, meaningful choices, and a world that reacts to who you are and what you do. The series has four entries and a complicated evolution across them.
If you only play one Dragon Age game
Play Dragon Age: Origins (2009). It is the best game in the franchise and one of the finest Western RPGs ever made — six origin stories (Human Noble, Dwarf Noble, Elf Mage, City Elf, Dalish Elf, Dwarf Commoner) each with a completely different opening chapter, the Grey Warden as the player character fighting the Fifth Blight, and companion relationships that feel genuinely earned. Origins is available on PC, PS3, and Xbox 360 and is backward compatible on Xbox Series. It rewards patience — the combat requires tactical thinking, especially on higher difficulties.
Dragon Age II
Dragon Age II (2011) is the most divisive entry — a single city (Kirkwall) rather than the sprawling world of Origins, a fixed protagonist in Hawke, and a compressed development that shows in recycled environments. Despite its reputation, DA2 has the best companion writing in the franchise — Varric, Isabela, Fenris, and Merrill are all exceptional characters. The story covers 10 years of Hawke's life and sets up Inquisition's central conflict. Worth playing after Origins for the companion relationships and story continuity.
Dragon Age: Inquisition
Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014) is the most ambitious entry — the Inquisitor leading an organisation to close rifts in the Veil and determine Thedas's political future. The war table, the massive open zones, and the integration of Origins and DA2's consequences make Inquisition richest for players who have played the previous games. Returning characters like Varric, Leliana, and Morrigan land harder with the full context. Game of the Year Edition includes all DLC. Available on PS4/Xbox/PC.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard
Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024) is the most recent entry — Rook as the new protagonist, a more action-focused combat system replacing the tactical approach of Origins and Inquisition, and a story about Solas (the Dread Wolf introduced in Inquisition) following through on his plan. The Veilguard is accessible as a standalone but rewards knowledge of Inquisition for the Solas storyline. Available on PS5/Xbox Series/PC.
What platforms you need
Dragon Age Origins — PC/PS3/Xbox 360 (backward compatible on Xbox Series). Dragon Age II — PC/PS3/Xbox 360. Dragon Age Inquisition — PS4/Xbox/PC. Dragon Age The Veilguard — PS5/Xbox Series/PC.
Recommended order
Dragon Age Origins → Dragon Age II → Inquisition → The Veilguard for the complete experience. Origins standalone is the best single entry. Veilguard standalone if you want the most modern entry without the backlog commitment.