GameTimeline

Release & story order

Dragon Age timeline

Dragon Age from Origins (2009) through The Veilguard (2024)—US release dates, Thedas story chronology, Awakening expansion placement, and FAQ for Inquisition DLC, carry-over saves, and play-order debates around Dragon Age II.

Updated June 2026

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Release order Story order

Release order

When BioWare shipped each chapter—Dragon Age: Origins (2009), Awakening expansion (2010), Dragon Age II (2011), Dragon Age: Inquisition (2014), then Dragon Age: The Veilguard (2024). Ultimate Editions and Jaws of Hakkon / Trespasser DLC are FAQ-only unless noted.

  • Full saga → Origins (+ Awakening) → DA II → Inquisition (+ Trespasser) → Veilguard
  • Newcomers short on time → Inquisition or Veilguard with Keep recap—loses earlier context
  • Use Dragon Age Keep before Inquisition to set world state
  • Ultimate/Game of the Year bundles include most essential DLC—FAQ
Story order tips

One Thedas saga: Origins → Awakening → Dragon Age II → Inquisition → The Veilguard. Release and story order align—decisions carry forward via save imports and Dragon Age Keep (Inquisition onward).

  • Core canon: Origins → Awakening → Dragon Age II → Inquisition → The Veilguard
  • Awakening continues the Warden's story—do not skip on story order
  • Trespasser is Inquisition's epilogue—before Veilguard
  • On Story order, later entries may be hidden—reveal when ready or use Show all spoilers

Timeline

When each game was released. Click a game for platforms, dates, and where it fits in your playthrough.

Release order

  1. Dragon Age: Origins

    Dragon Age: Origins

    PCXbox 360PS3RPGMainline

    The Warden vs the Blight—Ferelden and the Grey Wardens.

    Overview
    BioWare's return to tactical party RPG—origin stories, approval, and the Fade.
    In-game setting
    Story chapter one—Fifth Blight in Ferelden.
    Should you play it?
    Foundation of Thedas saga—still essential.
    Release date
    US launch November 3, 2009. Ultimate Edition bundles Awakening and DLC—FAQ.
  2. Dragon Age: Awakening

    Dragon Age: Awakening

    PCXbox 360PS3ExpansionMainline

    Warden-Commander in Amaranthine—Architect and darkspawn mystery.

    Overview
    Standalone expansion—import Origins save, new region and party members.
    In-game setting
    Direct sequel to Origins—mandatory for story order.
    Should you play it?
    Play immediately after Origins main campaign.
    Release date
    US launch March 16, 2010. Included in Origins Ultimate Edition.
  3. Dragon Age II

    Dragon Age II

    PCXbox 360PS3RPGMainline

    Hawke in Kirkwall—ten years of rising tensions.

    Overview
    Focused single-city story with faster combat—controversial scope vs Origins.
    In-game setting
    Story after Awakening—sets up mage-templar war for Inquisition.
    Should you play it?
    Required for full Inquisition context—import save optional.
    Release date
    US launch March 8, 2011.
  4. Dragon Age: Inquisition

    Dragon Age: Inquisition

    PCPS3PS4Xbox 360Xbox OneRPGMainlineOpen world

    Inquisitor closes the Breach—Skyhold and the war.

    Overview
    Open zones across Orlais and Ferelden—largest Dragon Age at launch.
    In-game setting
    Story culmination of Origins/II threads—use Dragon Age Keep.
    Should you play it?
    Play Trespasser DLC before Veilguard—FAQ.
    Release date
    US launch November 18, 2014. Game of the Year Edition—FAQ.
  5. Dragon Age: The Veilguard

    Dragon Age: The Veilguard

    PCPS5Xbox Series X|SRPGMainline

    Rook vs the gods—Antiva and the Fade crisis.

    Overview
    Action-forward combat return—companion-focused story after Inquisition.
    In-game setting
    Latest mainline chapter as of June 2026—continues Inquisitor-era fallout.
    Should you play it?
    Play after Inquisition and Trespasser for full setup.
    Release date
    US launch October 31, 2024.

FAQ

Release vs story order, Awakening and Trespasser placement, save imports, and where to start.

Release order

For Dragon Age they match: Origins (2009) → Awakening (2010) → Dragon Age II (2011) → Inquisition (2014) → The Veilguard (2024). Release order uses US launch dates; story order follows the Warden → Hawke → Inquisitor → Rook chronology in Thedas.

Full story: Origins Ultimate (includes Awakening) → Dragon Age II → Inquisition GOTY → Trespasser DLC → The Veilguard. Time-limited: Use Dragon Age Keep (free BioWare world-state tool) and start at Inquisition or Veilguard—you lose earlier character arcs but can follow the main plot.

Story & lore

Awakening is Origins' expansion—play immediately after the Origins main campaign with your Warden save. It is a Release and Story row, not optional side content. Skipping it loses Amaranthine plot referenced later. Included in Origins Ultimate Edition.

You can mechanically jump to Inquisition with Keep, but story order requires Dragon Age II. Hawke's Kirkwall choices drive the mage-templar war that Inquisition resolves. DA2 is shorter than Origins/Inquisition—most saga playthroughs include it.

Play Trespasser (Inquisition epilogue DLC) after the main Inquisition campaign and before The Veilguard—it reveals critical setup for Veilguard's plot. Jaws of Hakkon and The Descent are optional side DLC—FAQ only. Veilguard assumes Inquisition (+ ideally Trespasser) context.

Editions & DLC

Optional & related

More timelines

Other release-order and story-order guides on this site.