Introduction

In the realm of gaming, the last ten years have proven to be a time of rapid growth for what was once a fledgling, niche genre -- the Western RPG. Japanese-created, turn-based RPG series like Dragon Quest and Final Fantasy have ceded considerable ground to newer, fresher franchises like Fallout and Mass Effect, as gamers around the world continue to show a greater preference for something decidedly different. And that's where Dragon Age: Origins comes in.

In development for nearly five years, Dragon Age: Origins comes from the brilliant minds of BioWare, an Edmonton, Alberta-based company whose bread and butter is the Western RPG. Gamers are most familiar with their other W-RPG products, such as the revolutionary Baldur's Gate, the immersive Knights of the Old Republic, and the masterful Mass Effect. But unlike most of BioWare's recent offerings, Dragon Age: Origins brings the W-RPG on a trip through time, both in terms of plot and gameplay.

Dragon Age: Origins is a big game. A very, very big game, with hundreds upon hundreds of missions and side quests, seemingly-infinite conversation permutations, and more to see and do than most gamers can possibly imagine (or ever see themselves). And that, of course, is where IGN Guides comes in. Our ever-expanding guide will hold your hand through the entire experience, with walkthroughs and appendices galore. You needn't look any further online or elsewhere for all of the Dragon Age: Origins-related help you'll inevitably need (because not only is the game lengthy, but it's quite difficult as well).

So grab your sword (or your axe, or your staff, or your bow), and begin your journey. Ferelden is in need of saving from the Darkspawn, and you're just the person for the job. And with IGN's strategy guide, you'll be downright unstoppable.

In this Dragon Age: Origins strategy guide, you'll find:

• BASICS // Consult this section before beginning your journey.
• WALKTHROUGH // The meat of our guide, with help for each quest.
• SIDE QUESTS // What's a ridiculously huge RPG without side quests?
• ACHIEVEMENTS/TROPHIES // Information on all Trophies and Achievements.
• Q & A // You've got questions, we've got answers.
• AWAKENING // A complete walkthrough for the Awakening DLC.

Guide by: Colin Moriarty

Awakening DLC Walkthrough by: Thomas Hindmarch