The Dragon Age is an period within the historical past of Thedas, particularly one the place no person on the continent might appear to catch a break. Every mainline recreation in Bioware’s fantasy RPG sequence introduces a brand new character going through (principally) new threats, whereas DLCs, novels, and comics develop on this sprawling world and, in fact, its beloved characters. From the Chantry’s tales of Andraste to the darkness of the Deep Roads, Dragon Age is a franchise you’ll be able to’t assist however lose your self in.
I’m not going to misinform you: every mainline Dragon Age recreation takes place just about instantly after the final one. Nonetheless, perhaps you’re attempting to determine what order to play the DLCs in. Most certainly, you’re planning a refresher earlier than The Veilguard drops. Or, perhaps, you’re as insane as I’m and need to discover each attainable sprawling lore tidbit about this sequence.
So, for these within the latter group, right here’s each Dragon Age recreation (and DLC, ebook, comedian, film, and sequence), in timeline order, the place relevant, utilizing Thedas’s personal calendar system. You may also bounce to particular lists in launch order beneath.
How Many Dragon Age Video games Are There?
There are 3 mainline Dragon Age video games, with a fourth recreation releasing this Halloween. Origins has 8 DLCs, DA: II has 4 DLCs, and Inquisition has 4 DLCs. The discontinued cellular recreation Heroes of Dragon Age and the flash video games Dragon Age Legends and Dragon Age Journeys are usually not included on this listing.
Along with the video games, there’s 9 comedian sequence, 7 novels, 17 quick tales, an animated film, an animated sequence, and two mini-series within the Dragon Age universe. I can’t be together with the notedly non-canon comics from IDW Publishing.
Additionally, as a result of they exist as “compendiums” exterior of particular narratives, The World of Thedas Vol. 1 (launched earlier than Dragon Age II) and Vol. 2 (launched earlier than Dragon Age: Inquisition) aren’t on this listing, however in my private opinion they’re in all probability a number of the finest sources of deep-dive Thedas lore exterior of this timeline.
The World of Thedas Boxed Set
1
Contains World of Thedas Vol. 1 & 2
Which Dragon Age Sport Ought to You Play First?
For those who’re simply seeking to decide up a brand new RPG, or solely have time to get by one recreation earlier than Veilguard, you’ll be able to stick to the newest launch. Dragon Age: Inquisition has probably the most accessible gameplay and it really runs on PC and new-gen consoles. It’s additionally the one open world recreation within the sequence.
For the total “Dragon Age expertise,” you’re going to must play Origins in some unspecified time in the future. The impression of the participant’s decisions in earlier video games is a promoting level of Dragon Age, and there’s one thing particularly satisfying about taking part in by the implications of your individual actions, assembly characters and shaping conflicts that carry significance all through the sequence. So yeah, it runs terribly on PC, however with the correct settings (and perhaps some mods), it’s price trying 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. Plenty of these things is nice for understanding extra about essential characters and scratching the Thedas lore itch, however that’s my phrase of warning for anybody notably connected to their very own in-game outcomes. On the whole, I’d advocate studying no matter is “linked” to the DA video games and characters you want most. That stated, should you’re going to learn something to set you up for Veilguard, I would advocate the newest comedian, The Lacking.
The Full Dragon Age Timeline, Defined
For those who’re attempting to “begin firstly” of Dragon Age, it’s best to begin with Origins after which loop again to those. However, for the sake of timeline accuracy, these technically happen earlier than any mainline Dragon Age recreation.
*Warning: Whereas I attempted my finest to maintain this listing 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]
The Stolen Throne
1
The Calling
0
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 seek out these accountable whereas additionally grappling with an invasion from the neighboring nation of Orlais. The Calling picks up a couple of 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 discharge 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 within the land of Ferelden’s neighbor, Orlais, and explores her path to changing into Seeker.
Leliana’s Music (Origins DLC)
[9:28]
Because the title suggests, this Origins DLC explores the backstory of Leliana, a important 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 number of one among six character backgrounds, the participant is recruited right into a noble guild of warriors tasked with battling haunted humanoid creatures known as Darkspawn. As one of many final Gray Wardens, the participant should journey throughout Ferelden, navigating advanced political machinations to construct a military that may tackle the best Darkspawn risk.
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 the way a lot management the participant has over it) makes this darkish and tactical motion RPG my favourite recreation of all time.
*Stone Prisoner, Warden’s Preserve, The Darkspawn Chronicles, and Return to Ostagar are all DLC’s that add questlines and extra content material to the primary marketing campaign.
Warden’s Fall (Mini-Collection)
This Machinima-made mini-series hyperlinks Origins to Awakening. Every half is just about 5 minutes, so you’ll be able to watch the total factor in about 30.
Awakening (Origins DLC)
[~9:31]
Awakening is just about a full growth to Dragon Age: Origins, choosing up about 6 months after the primary recreation with nearly 20 hours of further content material. Attributable to some Dragon Age II choices, the “canon-ness” of this growth’s place on the timeline is a bit of doubtful, however I personally assume it has one of the compelling tales within the sequence that’s nonetheless price taking part in 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 comparison with the bottom recreation, it’s much more difficult.
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 some years after the primary recreation’s conclusion (technically after the beginning of Dragon Age II, however I’d nonetheless play this after Origins first). With out too many spoilers, I’d argue that is an important 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 important companions. I’m sticking the gathering right here for simplicity, however every story takes place at numerous factors earlier than the beginning of DA2. You possibly can learn all of them on-line right here.
Dragon Age II (Sport)
[Prologue: 9:30 Acts 1-3: 9:31-37]
Through the Fifth Blight, the Hawke household is caught up within the wave of refugees compelled to desert their houses in Ferelden. After battling Darkspawn (and encountering a sure witch/dragon/icon), the participant winds up on the gates of Kirkwall, searching for refuge for his or her household. Over the course of 10 years, Hawke will get roped into all kinds of chaos above and beneath floor whereas attempting to outlive and, dare I say, thrive, within the “sh**gap” that’s Kirkwall.
Timeline-wise, the opening sequence of Dragon Age II takes place in the course of the Blight of DA:O, however Acts 1 by 3 take you from 9:31 to 9:37. Yeah, this one’s received so much happening. And whereas Dragon Age II was a notoriously rushed manufacturing, this odyssey of a recreation 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 on 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 extra content material to the primary marketing campaign, although Legacy does discover Hawke’s previous.
Dragon Age: Redemption (Brief Collection)
[~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 in some unspecified time in the future earlier than the top of Dragon Age II: Act 1.
The Silent Grove, These Who Converse, and Till We Sleep (Comics)
[~9:38-9:40]
Dragon Age Library Version Quantity 1
0
Contains All Problems with Silent Grove, These Who Converse, & Till We Sleep
There aren’t any Dragon Age II DLCs that happen after the bottom recreation, however DA: II did result in the beginning 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 research what occurred to a sure Fereldan King. These Who Converse picks up the place The Silent Grove leaves off, increasing on the backstory of Alistair, specifically. Till We Sleep concludes this explicit comedian sequence with three last 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]
Asunder
0
The third Dragon Age novel and the ultimate one to be penned by David Gaider, Asunder explains the origins of the Mage-Templar Battle 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
0
The Masked Empire is one other direct tie-in novel for establishing Inquisition, bringing the reader to Orlais and establishing the political dynamics between the Empress and her rivals that in the end result in my private favourite questline in Inquisition.
The Final Flight (Novel)
[9:41 & ~5:12-5:20]
The Final Flight
0
This one is hard as a result of it technically follows two timelines: one in 9:41, and the opposite manner again within the Exalted Age in the course of the Fourth Blight. As a result of I wouldn’t advocate 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 aspect characters which might be vital in Inquisition. Paper & Metal, Paying the Ferryman, and the Riddle of Fact 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 right here.
Dragon Age: Inquisition (Sport)
[9:41-9:42]
The latest mainline DA recreation begins on the top of tensions between mages and Templars, when an explosion throughout peace talks on the Chantry has disastrous penalties for the establishments conserving Thedas collectively. This explosion seems to be a tear within the Fade, and the participant assumes the function of an Inquisitor who’s the one 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 an instantaneous, civilization-ending risk, 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 Yr 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 determination how these match into the timeline.
Magekiller (Comedian)
[9:41-42]
Magekiller
0
This five-issue comedian follows Marius and Tessa, blood mage hunters, in the course of the Inquisition. Whereas the comedian technically begins earlier than Inquisition, many of the storyline intertwines with the occasions of the sport, so it makes extra sense to learn this after taking part in.
Dragon Age: Trespasser (Inquisition DLC)
[9:44]
Much like Awakening, this Inquisition DLC provides a good quantity of content material, and can also be in all probability an important factor on this listing exterior of mainline video games when it comes to establishing Veilguard. A number of years after Inquisition ends, this growth has the Inquisitor examine who actually kicked off the occasions that tore open the Fade. For those who play by Inquisition, you higher make it by Trespasser.
The Knight Errant (Comedian)
[~9:44]
Knight Errant
0
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 about, however with characters from the Inquisition assuming new roles in Thedas, my guess is throughout or proper after Trespasser.
Dragon Age: Absolution (TV Collection)
[~9:44]
Bioware collaborated with Korean animation firm Pink Canine Tradition Home for this six-episode Netflix sequence. With some fully new characters (Matt Mercer could also be concerned), alongside some Dragon Age staples, we famous in our evaluation this present is likely to be a bit of laborious to entry with out some earlier DA expertise, however 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 top of our listing.
Deception, Blue Wraith, and Darkish Fortress (Comics)
[9:40-9:45]
Wraiths of Tevinter
0
Contains Deception, Blue Wraith, & Darkish Fortress
Mixed into an anthology known as The Wraiths of Tevinter, these three comedian sequence all (for probably the most half) happen after Trespasser and, because the title would recommend, within the Tevinter Imperium. Humorous sufficient, that’s additionally the place the subsequent recreation is about, so it’s greater than probably these post-Inquisition comics are establishing some characters and conflicts we’ll see extra of.
Deception begins this assortment off with a brand new character’s schemes within 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 function 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 select up in 9:44-45 because 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 taking part in out over 9:45.
Tevinter Nights (Novel/Anthology)
[9:44-9:45]
Tevinter Nights
0
As an anthology of quick tales, it’s a bit difficult to pinpoint an actual place on this timeline for Tevinter Nights. Most of the tales overlap with the Tevinter-based comics above, making it a matter of private choice (in my view) which you begin with. Of be aware, a number of the characters that first appeared in these tales have been revealed as important companions for Veilguard.
The Lacking (Comedian)
[9:45]
The Lacking Assortment
0
The latest piece of launched canon Dragon Age media, The Lacking is a 4 difficulty comedian sequence the place Varric and everybody’s favourite scout try to trace down an previous pal from Inquisition. This one is, by all indications, a reasonably direct tie-in for The Veilguard, so should you’re going to select up any bodily Dragon Age studying earlier than the brand new recreation, it ought to in all probability be this (however ensure you play Inquisition and Trespasser first).
Dragon Age Day Brief Tales
Earlier than DA:TV
Like the remainder of the quick tales on this listing, these snippets bounce round timeline-wise. However let’s reduce 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’ll find all of them right here.
BONUS: Arduous in Hightown (Novella)
Arduous in Hightown
0
Dragon Age II and Inquisition companion Varric Tethras is an creator, made well-known specifically for his novel, Arduous in Hightown. When you can accumulate elements of the novel in Codex-form throughout Inquisition, you can even learn the total 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 Video 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 Converse: 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 recreation. However then, unexpectedly, in early 2024, The Veilguard (beforehand referred to 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 set to launch on October 31, with pre-orders obtainable for PC, PS5, and Xbox Collection 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 within the timeline. I’ll keep away from spoilers for these attempting to go in as blind as attainable, however we discovered so much in regards to the route of this recreation from IGN’s hands-on preview. Bioware’s additionally revealed particulars in regards to the character creator, romance choices, and how choices from Inquisition will carry over. For individuals who need an actual sneak peek, you’ll be able to even watch the first 20 minutes of Veilguard gameplay.
