BioWare doesn’t make them like this anymore. Honestly, they probably couldn't. Dragon Age: Origins is a messy, beautiful, deeply reactive masterpiece that feels like a miracle of 2009 design, even if the PlayStation 3 version is notorious for making your console sound like a jet engine. If you're looking for a dragon age origins walkthrough ps3 style, you aren't just looking for where the chests are. You're trying to figure out how to survive the technical hiccups while navigating some of the hardest moral choices in RPG history.
It's a heavy game. Dark.
The PS3 port is its own beast. Unlike the PC version, you don't have a tactical overhead camera. You're stuck in third-person, right behind your Grey Warden’s back, which changes how you handle the chaos of a Darkspawn ambush. It makes the world feel bigger, sure, but it also makes positioning a nightmare during the battle of Ostagar. You’ve probably noticed the frame rate dips when too many spells go off at once. That's just the Ferelden charm.
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The Origin Stories: Why Your First Hour Changes Everything
Most people think the "Origin" part of the title is just flavor. It's not. Your choice of race and class—Human Noble, City Elf, Dalish Elf, Dwarf Noble, Dwarf Commoner, or Mage—dictates how NPCs treat you for the next 60 hours.
If you go Human Noble, you get the most "traditional" fantasy hook with a gut-wrenching betrayal. But if you want the most unique perspective, try the Dwarf Commoner or City Elf. The game’s world, Thedas, is incredibly bigoted toward elves. Playing a City Elf turns the early game into a gritty story of rebellion rather than just a "chosen one" narrative.
Don't skip the dialogue. Seriously.
In a dragon age origins walkthrough ps3 context, you have to remember that the controller layout maps your abilities to the Face buttons (X, Circle, Square). You get two sets of these by holding R2. Because you can't click-and-drag like a PC player, your "Origin" section is where you need to learn to pause. Frequently. Hit L2 to bring up the radial menu. It freezes time. If you aren't freezing time every three seconds in the early ruins of Ishari, you’re going to see the "Game Over" screen a lot.
Ostagar and the Point of No Return
Ostagar is where the game truly begins, and it’s also where many players make their first big mistake. You meet Alistair here. He’s a templar-trained Grey Warden and, frankly, the soul of the game.
Pro Tip: Before you head into the Korcari Wilds to find the Grey Warden Treaties, talk to every single NPC in the camp. There is a hungry prisoner in a cage. You can feed him or shake him down. There is a Quartermaster who will sell you bags to increase your inventory space. Buy them now. Inventory management on the PS3 is a slog because of the menu UI, so every extra slot helps.
Once you enter the Tower of Ishal, the game stops holding your hand. The Ogre boss at the top is the first "wall" for new players. On the PS3, the lock-on can be finicky. The trick isn't just hitting him; it's keeping Alistair in his face while your Mage (if you have one) or your archer stays at the far end of the arena. If the Ogre grabs someone, use a shield bash or a stun immediately.
Navigating the Big Four: Where Do You Go First?
After the tragedy at Ostagar, the world opens up. You have four main paths: Redcliffe, The Brecilian Forest, Orzammar, and The Circle Tower.
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If you want the "easiest" time, go to the Circle Tower (Lake Calenhad) first. Why? Because that’s where you get Wynne. She is the only dedicated healer (Spirit Healer) you can recruit early. Without her, you are burning through Health Poultices like crazy. Also, completing the Fade section in the Tower gives your main character permanent stat boosts that are invaluable for the rest of the game.
The Redcliffe Nightmare
Redcliffe is the emotional heart of the game. You're defending a village from undead. It’s a multi-stage battle. On the PS3, this specific sequence can lag. To make it easier:
- Help the smith fix his daughter’s situation so he provides better armor for the militia.
- Intimidate the local tavern owner into giving out free drinks to boost morale.
- Make sure you use the oil barrels at the top of the hill.
The choice at the end of Redcliffe—involving a possessed child—is the ultimate test of your Warden’s morality. There is a way to save everyone, but it requires you to have already finished the Circle Tower quest. This is why the order of your dragon age origins walkthrough ps3 matters so much.
The Orzammar Grind
Orzammar is the longest, most combat-heavy section of the game. You’re heading deep into the Deep Roads. It’s easy to get lost in the tunnels. The PS3 map isn't the most intuitive, so look for the quest markers that look like gold arrows.
The "Paragon of Her Kind" questline ends with a choice between two potential kings: Bhelen or Harrowmont.
- Bhelen is a tyrant but progressive for dwarf society.
- Harrowmont is a "good man" who represents stagnant, dying traditions.
There is no "right" answer. That’s the beauty of this game. But beware the Broodmother boss. She is a nightmare of tentacles and adds. Keep your party spread out. If you huddle together, her AOE (Area of Effect) attacks will wipe you in seconds.
Managing Your Companions (and Their Approval)
The camp is where you go to talk to your team. Morrigan, the "Witch of the Wilds," is incredibly powerful but dislikes it when you're too nice to people. Alistair loves it when you're a hero.
Giving gifts is the fastest way to raise approval. On the PS3 version, you just go into your inventory, select the gift, and choose who to give it to. Each companion has "preferred" gifts (like Alistair’s stone carvings or Morrigan’s jewelry) that give a massive +10 boost. High approval unlocks special stat bonuses for them and, of course, romance options.
Note on Leliana: You find her in the tavern in Lothering. If you leave Lothering without recruiting her, you can never go back. The town gets destroyed by the Blight. Don't miss her; she’s your primary rogue for lockpicking.
Technical Survival on the PlayStation 3
We have to talk about the "Memory Leak" issue. The PS3 version of Dragon Age: Origins has a tendency to slow down the longer you play in a single session. If you notice the textures looking muddy or the loading screens taking more than 30 seconds, save your game and restart the console. It clears the cache and makes the game run significantly smoother.
Also, turn off "Frame Buffer Effects" in the options if the lag gets unbearable during dragon fights. You lose some of the pretty glowy lights, but you gain a playable frame rate.
The Landsmeet: Politics and Power
The end of the game happens in Denerim at the Landsmeet. This isn't fought with swords, but with words and the political favors you’ve gathered throughout the game. If you didn't do the side quests for the various nobles, you’re going to have a hard time winning the vote against Loghain.
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You can choose to execute Loghain, or, if you're feeling spicy, make him a Grey Warden. This will make Alistair furious—to the point where he might leave your party forever.
Actionable Steps for Your Playthrough
To get the most out of your PS3 experience, follow this specific workflow:
- Prioritize Tactics: Go into the "Tactics" menu for every character. Set your healer to "Self: Health < 50% -> Use Least Powerful Health Poultice." The AI is actually decent if you program it.
- Save Often, in Different Slots: The PS3 is prone to save file corruption if the console shuts off unexpectedly. Keep at least three rotating saves.
- Do the DLC Early: If you have the "Ultimate Edition," do The Stone Prisoner quest immediately. You get Shale, a stone golem who is arguably the best tank in the game.
- Spec into Mana Clash: If you are playing a Mage, get the spell Mana Clash. It instantly kills or severely cripples enemy mages, which are the most dangerous enemies in the game.
- Visit the Wonders of Thedas shop: In Denerim, this shop sells the "Tome of Arcane Technique." It’s expensive, but it gives your characters extra talent points.
Dragon Age: Origins on PS3 is a journey through a world that feels lived-in and reactive. It’s about the burden of leadership. Whether you're a noble hero or a pragmatist who lets a village burn for the greater good, the game remembers. Take your time in the menus, manage your tactics, and don't let the technical limitations of the hardware stop you from experiencing one of the best stories ever told in gaming.
Focus on building your party's synergy. A well-placed "Crushing Prison" spell or a "Shield Wall" can turn the tide of a fight that looks impossible. Ferelden is a dark place, but with the right Warden, it might just survive the Blight.
Next Steps for Success:
- Check your inventory for "Quest Items" that can be turned into the "Allied Supply Chests" at your party camp to gain XP and power up your army.
- Visit the merchant in the Party Camp regularly; his stock refreshes and he carries some of the best end-game weapons like the "Rose's Thorn" dagger.
- Complete the "Slim Couldry" quests in Denerim if you have a high-level Rogue for some of the best gold-farming opportunities in the game.