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Dragon Age: Origins vs. Dragon Age II: Which Should You Play First?

Start with Dragon Age: Origins, then play Dragon Age II. Here’s how their stories differ and what to verify about editions and platform availability.
Length2 min Posted Quest giverVGSources Team
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Play Dragon Age: Origins first, then Dragon Age II. EA describes the second game as a sequel, and that order lets you meet Thedas through the Grey Warden’s story before following Hawke’s rise in Kirkwall.

Why play Origins before Dragon Age II?

Dragon Age: Origins is the first game in this sequence; EA calls Dragon Age II its sequel. Starting with Origins gives a newcomer the earlier story and its introduction to the setting before moving on to the follow-up. You can also begin with Dragon Age II if that is the game you have access to or want to play, but it is not the release or story order.

How do their stories differ?

Dragon Age: Origins

EA describes Origins as a story in which you play a Grey Warden, one of the last members of a legendary order of guardians. The Warden faces an ancient foe while the kingdom is in crisis.

Dragon Age II

Dragon Age II follows Hawke, a refugee who escapes Ferelden and becomes the Champion of Kirkwall. EA and BioWare describe Hawke’s rise as a story spanning an entire decade, giving the sequel a different protagonist, setting, and time frame from Origins.

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#1 Best Overall
Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition - Playstation 3
  • Dragon Age Origins - You are Grey Warden, one of the last of this legendary order of guardians. With the return of mankind's ancient foe and the kingdom engulfed in civil war
  • Dragon Age Origins- Awakening Expansion Pack - The story of the Grey Wardens continues as you are named their commander. Fight new enemies, learn new skills and spells, and explore an all-new area of the world, Amarantine
  • All Nine Content Packs - Extend your adventure with The Stone Prisoner, Warden's Keep, Return to Ostagar, Feast day Gifts, The Darkspawn Chronicles, Feast day Pranks, Leliana's Song, The Golems of Amgarrak, and Witch Hunt
  • Critically acclaimed winner of more than 50 awards including over 30 ‘Best of 2009' awards. A tremendous $112 value at one low price

What should you check before buying?

  • Confirm your platform and region. EA’s current Origins page lists EA app, Steam, PC, and Xbox options; its Dragon Age II page lists Steam, Origin, and Xbox. Storefront labels and availability can vary, and those listings do not guarantee compatibility with a particular computer, console generation, or region. Check the actual store listing for your system before purchasing.
  • Compare the edition’s contents. EA’s 2010 announcement described Origins Ultimate Edition as including the base game, Awakening, and seven DLC packs. Edition names and listings can differ, so confirm the contents of the specific offer you are considering. The announcement’s $59.99 price was a historical 2010 list price, not a current price.
  • Choose based on the story you want to start with. Origins begins with the Grey Warden and the kingdom’s crisis; Dragon Age II centers on Hawke and Kirkwall. The preference between their approaches to combat or storytelling depends on the player.
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Does Dragon Age II require an Origins playthrough?

The release order makes Origins the clearest starting point, but the official descriptions cited here do not establish a particular method for carrying choices or world state between the games. Do not assume a specific import process from the fact that Dragon Age II is a sequel.

Quick Recap

Bestseller No. 2
Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition - Xbox 360 (Renewed)
Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition - Xbox 360 (Renewed)
Critically acclaimed winner of more than 50 awards including over 30 ?Best Of 2009? awards
$40.80
Bestseller No. 3
Bestseller No. 5
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening - Playstation 3
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening - Playstation 3
Encounter five all-new party members and an old favorite from Dragon Age: Origins.
$6.99
Best Value
Dragon Age: Origins Awakening - Playstation 3
  • Experience additional spells, abilities, specializations, and items to further personalize and customize your hero and party – Import your character from Dragon Age: Origins or start anew as a Grey Warden from Oralais.
  • Embark on an epic story that is completely defined and reactive to your play style – Shape your entire experience based on the choices you make and how your handle complex situations.
  • Encounter five all-new party members and an old favorite from Dragon Age: Origins.
  • BioWare’s deepest universe to date just got bigger with an all new area of the world to explore, Amaranthine – Unlock the secrets of the Darkspawn and their true motivations – Rebuild the Grey Warden order.
  • Battle against a new range of horrific and terrifying creatures – Put your skills to the test against an evolved, intelligent breed of Darkspawn and other menacing creatures including the Inferno Golem, Spectral Dragon and others.
Rank #4
Sale
Dragon Age: Origins - Playstation 3 (Renewed)
  • Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
  • 6 possible playable preludes known as ‘Origin Stories’ which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
  • Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
  • Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
  • At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.
Rank #3
Dragon Age: Origins - Playstation 3
  • Scalable combat options that let you decide the level of control you have over your party, including NPCs. Issue orders, set your own tactical AI, or take control of any party member to lead the charge.
  • 6 possible playable preludes known as ‘Origin Stories’ which along with your play, define how your hero character will see the world, how it sees you and sets the tone for the entire story.
  • Travel across the vast and varied lands of Ferelden; from the conspiratorial halls of the last great dwarven city, Orzammar, to the untamed snarls of the Korcari Wilds.
  • Dragon Age: Origins will give you deep character customization options including: class, race, appearance, abilities, and equipment.
  • At the heart of the storm sweeping across Ferelden. Decide the fate of nations, people and, ultimately, yourself. Just remember: for every choice, there is a consequence.
Rank #2
Dragon Age Origins: Ultimate Edition - Xbox 360 (Renewed)
  • Includes The 2009 ?RPG Of The Year? Dragon Age: Origins, The Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening Expansion Pack, Plus All Nine Additional Content Packs
  • Critically acclaimed winner of more than 50 awards including over 30 ?Best Of 2009? awards
  • A tremendous $114 value at one low price

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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