The just-released Dragon Age: Origins for the XBox 360, PC, and PS3 was long expected to be one of the top selling games of the year. What no one expected was just how difficult it would be! Here is a Dragon Age: Origins guide to help get confused new players struggling with the difficulty on their feet. Dragon Age: Origins tips will come in handy when you start your new character and can help change the flow of combat immensely.

Be aware before you start that there are significant differences between the console and PC versions of Dragon Age. In the PS3 and 360 versions of Dragon Age, players will be unable to zoom out to a top down view or pause the game the same way you would in the PC versions. This Dragon Age guide is written assuming you are playing the PC version.

Console players can follow these Dragon Age tips and tricks with a few changes. First, positioning characters will still be important but concentrate more on careful use of skills. The tactics you use should reflect the difficulty of moving between characters.

Players looking to find out how to recruit all the party members in Dragon Age should read more here.

Your initial starting class in Dragon Age can make a huge difference.  Players can choose between Warriors, Rogues, and Mages, each of which can choose between 2 of 4 specialization paths over the course of the game.  Every party needs a rogue, but the player may wish to leave that task to one of the two party members who can join and provide much the same skills.

A warrior is a very versatile class with a number of different options.  Early on, it is also one of the easiest ways to ensure your character will always have a chance to survive in any situation.  Choose your talents wisely as it will be unlikely that you will be switching between two-handed weapons and sword-and-shield by the end of the game.  Get a good idea what type of character you intend to play before you throw talent points around as they can not be reset.

Mages, however, provide players with the most customization.  Although the game includes two very different magic users, the player can still make their own that is vastly different from anything else seen in the game.  Their spells and abilities are the deepest out of any class in the game.  Players looking to see something truly unique to them should focus on mages.

Dragon Age: Origins can be shockingly hard at times.  Even on the normal setting, players can expect a grueling but exciting battle. Players in need should take advantage of these Dragon Age tips to help them fight their way through the hordes of monsters.

When starting a battle, it is very important to pay attention to position.  Archers and mages should be at least ten feet to the side.   Mages in particular should be moved back and to the side to make sure they can safely use their area effect spells without hitting the other party members.  Make sure your front line warriors are able to hold the line safely.

Don't use all of your abilities at once, even if you have the energy for it.  Often a well timed stun knockdown skill can save your party a significant amount of hassle when it interrupts or stops powerful spells or enemy attacks before they can go off.  There is only a few seconds warning before these enemy skills go off, so don't waste time: use your stopping skills immediately.

Having a dedicated healer is ESSENTIAL.  It is the number one Dragon Age tip anyone can give you.  Early on, health potions might cut it but they quickly become insufficient.  Either one of the two mages should have some type of healing skill or your main character should be healing.

If you have multiple front line characters, there's no harm in having one briefly retreat to avoid dying and heal up as long as they return to the fray within ten-fifteen seconds.  Pause the game and reissue commands to help compensate for the change in formation.  Keep an eye on all the units to make sure they don't drift towards the melee if they are ranged attackers or other support classes.