When talking about the most famous and successful game series, one cannot avoid Dragon Age. Dragon Age game from Bioware and is one of the most iconic games in the RPG series. If you are a gaming fan, we will discuss every Dragon age game in order of release and look at all of it’s campaigns and DLCs. Let’s start.
Dragon Age game series is based on fantasy, and with it’s original fantasy-centric stories, this game series gained huge popularity among game lovers. The series started it’s journey in 2009, and from then, it has gained huge success in the commercial gaming industry. Not only loved by game lovers but critics also praised this exciting and adventurous fantasy game for it’s narrative, character development, player choice, RPG elements, and lore.
Where can you play Dragon Age?
Dragon Age is a highly popular game series available on almost every platform you can think of. It is available on Xbox 360, Xbox One, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, and Mac OS.
Until now, there are three installments of this game series that have been released on the gaming platform, and the latest one debuted in 2015. The gaming authority and programmers verified that Bioware has already started working on the 4th installment of the gaming series.
About Dragon Age
Before we go to the installments and campaigns, first, let’s look at the basics of this game and if you are a new gamer, knowing the basics can help you play wisely.
So, it is a game series that is based on the fantasy genre. Like many other fantasy game series, the basic concept of Dragon Age is a never-ending fight of Good vs Evil. But the twist is that it does not only focus on the fight and the competition between hero and villain, but this game also has a unique story about relationships between the characters along with different types of challenges that includes the general politics of the world collides in a crisis. It is the story that can make gamers believe it is the time for humankind to rise as the other good races like elves and dwarves are slowly fading away from the earth. So, mankind must take the oath to save the world from evil powers.
Gaming elements of Dragon Age
To play the game wisely, you need to know enough about the game’s different gaming elements and how to use them.
Player choice:
This game allows you to play in a first-person perspective where your choice matters, and that’s why you will have multiple opportunities to choose your mission. You can choose how you will complete the mission and which side you are willing to take. Based on these decisions, the game branches into different parts, and you will get alternative endings.
Character creation:
This game allows you to create your avatar by selecting genre, appearance, and class.
Character progression:
All the characters have a regular level in the system, and with every level upgrade, the characters will unlock some skill points that can be invested into skill trees. Besides skill points, characters can also get better gear.
Relationships:
This game lets you talk to your gaming companion and choose your own dialogues. Your companions can act based on your dialogue selection that may lead you to friendship, loyalty, romantic relationships, or rivalries.
Party members:
There are characters in the game that will join your party on the way. With every Dragon Age game, you can have four players per party. Even if you want, you can swap between the characters without any boundaries.
Tactical view:
Dragon Age allows you to turn on the tactical view mode. This birds-eye perspective automatically pauses the game when you instruct the character where to go and which powers to use.
Behaviors and strategy:
Outside the combat, this game allows you to set the behavior of your companions during a battle. You can set when your companions should use a certain skill or drink a certain potion. This will help you to win any battle.
Combos:
This is one of the important ideas that you should know in combat. There are different kinds of magical injuries that you can use during combat, including elemental damage, physical damage, or any other kind of damage. Different attacks can create powerful combos of varying effects.
There are three main games in the Dragon Age series, and each series is followed by several sub-parts and DLCs.
Dragon Age: Origins – 2009 (Main Game)
The first original game of Dragon Age debuted in 2009 and premiered on Windows, PlayStation 3, and Xbox 360. Users can now update their graphics and features through modes. The producing company Bioware took the inspiration from dungeons and dragons as well as Baldur’s gate to create the DA series. According to the gamers and critics, there are similarities between the Dragon Age universe and Witcher’s lore.
- Let’s know about lore before moving on
The legends believed the ancient Tivinter Empire sent the most powerful magicians into the heavens that were called the golden city. They were not satisfied with this success as their greed corrupted the realm of makers and turned the golden city into a black city. Thus, the magicians became Archdemons who decided to take their revenge against humans.
On the other hand, dwarven created the deep roads to travel underneath the earth. They started their search for treasures and magical artifacts. They succeeded in discovering the Darkspawn, and Archdemons raised the Darkspawn to establish their realm of the living. The game starts during the 4th invasion, called the fourth blight, and as a player, you have to play as a grey warden initiate which is a nearly extinct group that conducts several rituals to gain the power of slaying an Archdemon. As a player, your goal will be to defeat the Archdemons to stop the blight. Throughout this journey, you will meet several companions and create alliances across Thedas to save different towns and solve the conflicts within the human realm. In the final stage, you must go to war against the horde.
Throughout the story, you will find difficult moral choices about betrayal, murder, sacrifice, etc., and you have to choose your parts depending on your role play. Importantly, you will pay a visit to Veil, a feature you can find in all the games, and according to the gamers, it is the best part of the game, which is about looting, unique bosses, enemies, and otherworldly sights.
Depending on your chosen path, six different origins are incorporated into the game. It means that the initial path is different for humans, elves, dwarves, and others. The initial play time is around 3 hours, which decides the rest of your gameplay with different interactions and outcomes. Remember, each origin has a unique storyline detailing the lore of each path and city in the world.
There are 3 classes present in the gameplay who are warriors, archers, and mages. Each class has a basic skills tree and three advanced skill trees for unique character development. Your companions will also belong to one of these classes. The only thing that can disappoint you is the combat which is not as satisfying as the others, and the lore as it is a bit janky.
Stone Prisoner – 2009 (DA:Origins DLC)
The first DLC debuted along with the original game. This introduces Shale, a fully voiced Golem who can be your first companion. He is made with unique skills and mechanics. It added to the location and quest where you can find him.
Warden’s Keep – 2009 (DA:Origins DLC)
This time, the player will have the Soldier’s Peak fortress as the base operation. This also explores the story behind the Grey Warden’s exile from the Ferelden Kingdom. This DLC also premiered with the base game.
Dragon Age Journeys – 2009 (Spin-off)
It is a 2D turned-based RPG that comes with a single chapter. In the chapter, players have to go through the complete story in Orzammar, Deep roads, and Dwarven city.
Return to Ostagar – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It introduces a new location in the game and the special loot that players can find in Ostagar. Players can also return to the ruined fortress when the human army first encountered blight.
Feastday Gifts and Pranks – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It is believed that this minor DLC premiered in 2010 can elevate or lower your friends’ loyalty towards the warden as this DLC adds some items to the game that you can gift to your companions.
The Darkspawn Chronicles – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It is an alternative game mode that presents the scenario that you would face if you play as a Darkspawn monster throughout a successful invasion of Ferelden.
Leliana’s Song – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It is a campaign DLC content that explores the back story of Leliana, one of your main companions. You’ll be able to know/find out about her own companions and the mission she follows.
The Golems of Amgarrak – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It is another campaign DLC that takes the warden commander to the deep roads to follow the expedition of a missing dwarven. Here they will know that the journey is a way to modify and create Golems. This DLC comes with challenging combats with strong rewards that players can take to the next expansion. They also may import their character or create a new warden with the base items that the player has.
Witch Hunt – 2010 (DA:Origins DLC)
It is another story where players can learn about the backstory of one, another main companion, Morrigan, who disappeared after Origin’s end.
Here the players would be able to create a new warden or import their character to follow the story. According to the story, Warden’s companion in his mabari war hound dog and two new characters who are following Morrigan when she steals an ancient magical book.
Dragon Age Origins: Awakening – 2010 (DA: Origins Expansion)
It is the Origin’s story wrapped with an astonishing expansion. It premiered in 2010 on Windows PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.
This campaign raises the level cap and introduces new skill mechanics and gear. It took place 6 months after the main game’s conclusion, where the warden commander is rebuilding the guild at Vigil’s Keep. This time, they have to defeat remnants of the Darkspawn, and two new demons to get their desired success.
Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition – 2010 (Bundle)
This is the final DLC edition that bundles the base game and the expansion.
Dragon Age II – 2011 (Main Game)
Bioware developers took 2 years to develop this installment that debuted in 2011 on The PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Mac OS. Though in this installment, many new characters are and cities are introduced, it is a direct sequel to it’s origins.
The installment has changed things that worked positively for an action-oriented experience. The behavior tweaking and practical view became simpler in this installment, and more importantly, the player is now able to play as a base human character (Hawke), which indicates the elimination of origins, playtime, and race selection
On the other hand, most of the game happens in a free city named Kirkwall and on it’s outskirts.
In the story, Hawke ( the male or female sibling) joins a group of survivors to escape the blight. Players can choose the class of Hawke (warrior, mage, or rogue) and his appearance.
After reaching Kirkwall, there are three parts to the story. In the first part, the player becomes the companion of Varrick on a journey to the deep roads to satisfy greed. Before that, you need to go on several missions and earn money to pay for that expedition.
In the second act, you have to deal with Qunari, a culture of multiple races joined by a single religion. They are furious as their people are stranded in Kirkwall, and you will have to resolve the conflict in your way.
In the third act, you have to fulfil Templar and mage orders. Templar’s task is that you have to keep the mages in check as the portals to the veil and summon demons can be easily opened by using magic. Here, a new character will be introduced. Andres, who will be present in Awakening and will use the deep road artifact that you have found to free the mages from the Templars.
Players can experience a good plot and faster combats with more versatile skill trees. Again, developing relationships with new companions will be a fun journey. This game also gives priority to the gamers’ choice where you have to decide the fate of the expedition, the Templars, mages, and the stranded Qunari. The ending of the game can change based on your decisions and relationships with your companions.
The Exiled Prince – 2011 (DA II DLC)
It is the first DLC that introduces Sebastian Vael as a permanent companion who will be there for the rest of the game. He will take you to a rivaling human Kingdom named Orlais to seek revenge for his family.
The Black Emporium – 2011 (DA II DLC)
It introduces a special vendor to the game that has special items. Here, you can find the mabari war hound companion along with the mirror of transformation to change your facial appearance. Both of them will be very useful for you in the future.
All-Class Item Packs – 2011 (DA II DLC)
Bioware released two editions of this where each of the bundle has about 40 items for the three classes.
Legacy – 2011 (DA II DLC)
According To The gamers and critics, it is the best and the first story-driven DLC pack. According to the story, Hawke and his companions end up in a mysterious grey warden prison, where Hawke discovers the lineage he has along with the sins of his own father. He also discovers an ancient Evil locked in the grey warden prison for a long time. The evil is Corypheus, who is the main antagonist in the next main Dragon Age.
The production team understood the complaints of gamers about wave-based enemies, repetitive locations and lack of character customisation and that’s why this time, it packs a non-linear design, strategic enemies, unique Boss fights, different new puzzles, hidden areas and upgradable weapons.
Mark of the Assassin – 2011 (DA II DLC)
This is the final DLC that ties with the web series named Dragon Age redemption. It is a stand-alone story in Chateau, a new Orlesian location. In this part, Tallis, an elven, was introduced for the first time who was following the Qunari system. She joins Hawke in stealing the relic.
Dragon Age Legends – 2011 (Spin-off)
It was a 2011 freemium flash game made by Electronic Arts and premiered on Facebook and Google Plus. Here, players are allowed to create their characters using the Dragon Age settings and play through the basic RPG. The story of this game ties Dragon Age Origins and Dragon Age 2. This part did not have any commercial success.
Heroes of Dragon Age – 2013 (Spin-off)
It is another title that premiered on Android and iOS devices for free in 2013. It offers a turn-based RPG with collectible character cards. Players must play with a squad of 5 characters throughout the squad-based strategy game. The result of the game depends on the party you choose, it’s abilities, runes and formations.
Dragon Age: The Last Court – 2014 (Spin-off)
It is a free-to-play text-based game that premiered on web browsers in 2014, and it is no longer available. This gameplay ties Dragon Age 2 and Dragon Age inquisition events where players control the Marquis of Serault, a marquisate of Orlais. He got back to the order after a crisis.
In the game, the player has to manage city resources by making several decisions. The goal is to accumulate wealth, trophies, and secrets to impress Divine Justinia V on her upcoming visit.
Dragon Age: Inquisition – 2014 (Main Game)
It is the latest released game of Dragon Age that debuted in 2015 on The PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Xbox One, and Windows. It is the continuation of the events of the previous entry, and in this part, Varrick comes back as a companion again. Players will also get Leliana, Morrigan, and Hawke as NPCs.
In this game, Archdemon Corypheus accidentally handed over a strange power to the protagonist when he returned and killed divine Justina V. With this strange power. The protagonist now can close the breaches and portals to the Veil dimension.
Though the story doesn’t change much, you can open a special unique skill tree with your unique skills. Players can customize appearance, voice, gender, race, and sex.
The plot is all about closing up the breaches until Corypheus gets defeated. Later, people will know the character as the Herald of Andraste. He also became the leader of a newly formed religious corps that aimed to restore order in the world.
On the other hand, the player will discover that the Templars and Mages are in a war after the previous events. Here, you have to make difficult choices as your main enemy is Corypheus. You’ll also need to deal with remnants of the Wardens.
The plot of this third game introduces a new open-world design that is full of trades, NPCs, companions, upgrade stations, and war tables. You can choose your preferred maps to complete your mission on the war table, and also, you will need to send your soldiers on special missions to loot resources and alliances.
There are vast maps in the game, and you need to complete the mission on each one along with dozens of side quests.
The combat of this game is flashy and full of amazing combos. Though the skill trees are simple, you would have to face complexities in player choices and companions.
Your companions will have three basic trees along with a specialization tree. This scenario eliminates the player’s choice to develop the companions as preferred. No need to worry about that, as every class and skill tree can create proper combos with other characters.
The game also introduces complex gear mechanics and the resources you can get to create potions, gear, and gear up-gradation. For fights, you will have a vast amount of weapons, armors, and other accessories.
In short, this game is an overall complete package full of amazing combat that players can enjoy.
Jaws of Hakkon – 2015 (DA: Inquisition DLC)
With the first DLC of this game, several enemy types are added. Also, this takes the Inquisitor to a new map. This time they encounter an Avatar tribe and help them defeat an ancient Tevinter evil. This also includes challenging boss battles and plenty of loot.
Spoils of the Avvar – 2015 (DA: Inquisition DLC)
This DLC introduces new customizable items, unique armor, and several mounts.
Spoils of the Qunari – 2015 (DA: Inquisition DLC)
This DLC introduces a customizable hub, a new armor set, and schematics.
The Descent – 2015 (DA: Inquisition DLC)
It is a campaign DLC that takes the Inquisitor exploring the deep roads to unleash the secret deep underneath the earth.
Trespasser – 2015 (DA: Inquisition DLC)
This introduces a new white wolf villain to the game. After defeating Corypheus, you will meet Dreadwolf, an ancient Elven god who will introduce a new plot with a new evil. Dreadwolf will be your companion, and this time, he will give you Rift powers as part of his schemes. The main motto of your companion will be to reclaim the previous glory of the Elves.
Dragon Age: Inquisition – Game of the Year Edition – 2015 (Bundle)
This special GotY edition packs the base game along with all of the available DLCs.
Every Dragon Age Game in Chronological Order
- Dragon Age: Origins – 2009
- Stone Prisoner – 2009
- Warden’s Keep- 2009
- Dragon Age Journeys – 2009
- Return to Ostagar – 2010
- Feastday Gifts and Pranks – 2010
- The Darkspawn Chronicles – 2010
- Leliana’s Song – 2010
- The Golems of Amgarrak – 2010
- Witch Hunt – 2010
- Dragon Age Origins: Awakening – 2010
- Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition – 2010
- Dragon Age II – 2011
- The Exiled Prince – 2011
- The Black Emporium – 2011
- All-Class Item Packs – 2011
- Legacy – 2011
- Mark of the Assassin – 2011
- Dragon Age Legends – 2011
- Heroes of Dragon Age – 2013
- Dragon Age: The Last Court – 2014
- Dragon Age: Inquisition – 2014
- Jaws of Hakkon – 2015
- Spoils of the Avvar – 2015
- Spoils of the Qunari – 2015
- The Descent – 2015
- Trespasser – 2015
- Dragon Age: Inquisition – Game of the Year Edition – 2015
The next Dragon Age game is under production, and we hope that it will premiere soon.
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