Dragon Age: Which Game In The Franchise To Start With & Why

With Dragon Age 4 on the horizon, people who are new to the games are wondering how they can jump into the story. Each of the other Dragon Age games has its pros and cons, and the game that’s best for each individual player will vary based on their gaming preferences. Dragon Age II is the quickest to play through while Dragon Age: Inquisition has the most opportunities to explore an open world, for example.

Because of this, there are key reasons to start your venture into the franchise with one game over another. This guide details each of the five games to help players decide where they should start their Dragon Age journey.

5 Dragon Age 4 — You Want Sleek Graphics On Current Consoles

Dragon Age 4 isn’t out yet, but it’s suspected to be released sometime in late spring of 2022. While only a few things are known about this latest Dragon Age game, such as that Solas from Dragon Age: Inquisition will be returning, it could still be the best game for those who are looking to experience a modern game.

Even though the plot, gameplay, and combat systems aren’t known yet, for those gaming on an Xbox Series X or a PlayStation 5, this will be the best option, as older games aren’t made for these consoles. Plus, it will likely have the best graphics.

4 Heroes Of Dragon Age — You Want A Mobile Game To Pass The Time

Heroes of Dragon Age is an outlier because it exists outside of the narrative of the other four games. This is a mobile game that was released in 2013 although there have been updates made over time. It’s not an RPG like the other console and PC games on this list but instead allows players to collect figures of “heroes” and form them into squads to battle foes.

While it does weave in the storytelling elements, such as the races and locations from the other games, it’s much simpler and made for mobile. Because of this, it’s best for players looking for something to pass the time, but maybe not for those who want a more intense gaming experience. Mobile games are often microcosms of the larger games they belong to, so this game will also allow its players to get a taste of the larger world of the game without a huge commitment.

3 Dragon Age: Origins — You Want To Know Everything About The Worldbuilding

Those who are completionists when it comes to games will definitely want to begin with the very first game in the franchise. Origins is clunkier with older graphics. And, it can only be played on the Xbox 360 and Playstation 3, as well as older MAC and Microsoft systems.

But, if gamers do have access to a way to play the game, it’s the perfect way to learn the foundations of the world. Many characters from Origins, such as Flemeth and Morrigan, play a role in later series, and many of the companions, like Allistair and Zevran, are fan favorites. If fans want to know how the games interplay and connect to one another, they’ll need to start at the beginning.

2 Dragon Age II — You Want An Overall Enjoyably Playable Game To Get Started

Dragon Age II is a bit divisive amongst fans of the franchise because some people loved the combat style and more focused narrative while others wanted it to allow for more exploration. Unlike Origins and Inquisition, there are fewer areas to explore as the story takes place in the city of Kirkwall and the surrounding coast while the other two games take place across many cities.

However, it is one of the simplest games to play through and finish the main story. Players will be able to get a feel for the franchise, and the combat is rather fast and easy to implement if they prefer less complex strategizing. The companions and characters in this Dragon Age game, such as Varric and Isabela, are also some of the best from any of the games. So, for those who want to jump right in, this is the go-to game.

1 Dragon Age: Inquisition — You Love Expansive RPGs

As the newest installment in the franchise that’s been released so far, Dragon Age: Inquisition does look sleeker than any of the games that came before it. It can be played on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, and it is the most open-world of any of the Dragon Age games.

Fans who like a game that allows for a lot of exploration will want to start here. There are nearly endless side quests to complete and an absolutely huge world to explore. However, players can also stick to the main narrative if they like to play through RPGs faster and experience one focused plot that has a narrative arc that unrolls. It has a similar feel to Skyrim in this way, so for fans who already love this open-world format and action gameplay, Dragon Age: Inquisition makes a lot of sense as a starter game.

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