Whenever you consider really memorable open world video games, it is exhausting to not image the likes of Elden Ring and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Each are in the end taking pictures for various objectives, however they share a deep appreciation for discovery. Their worlds aren’t outlined by map markers; they’re designed in ways in which push gamers in direction of the unknown, and that is what makes them so engrossing.
However there was a sport all the best way again in 2012 that tried to seize that very same sense of journey — and it was known as Dragon’s Dogma. Initially, Capcom’s first actual foray into the fantasy RPG area was sadly overshadowed by Skyrim, however throughout the final half decade or so, the title has firmly established itself as a cult basic by means of constructive phrase of mouth. There’s an argument to be made that Dragon’s Dogma was really forward of its time, with a transparent emphasis on ’emergent’ gameplay depth and a definite lack of handholding — standard traits of important darlings right here in 2024.
And that brings us to Dragon’s Dogma 2 — a a lot deserved sequel that diehard DD followers have been ready 12 years for. Given the present open world panorama, Capcom might have simply modified course and crafted a extra… modernised instance of the style — however no, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is mainly a retread of its predecessor, besides it has been handed the assets and finances that its imaginative and prescient calls for. The result’s an open world motion RPG that sits alongside Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild as one of the absorbing adventures we have ever performed.
All the pieces this sport does, it does in service of the journey. And by that, we imply the overwhelming majority of your playthrough shall be spent travelling from place to position through the numerous, many treacherous roads that make up the title’s sprawling map. These pathways are the lifeblood of Dragon’s Dogma 2, providing up close to fixed thrills as you clamber over mountains, edge throughout creaking bridges, and dash between dusty trails. It is peak open world design, each in the best way it coaxes you ahead with impressive-looking landmarks, and in the way it feels to really have interaction with the sport’s diversified geography.
However earlier than we proceed gushing, we must always most likely present a rundown on Dragon’s Dogma as an idea. As was the case within the authentic launch, you play as a very customisable character referred to as the Arisen. Your (literal) coronary heart stolen by an omnipotent dragon, it is the Arisen’s obligation to trace the winged menace and grow to be a hero within the eyes of the individuals. Simply to be clear, this is not a direct sequel; information of the primary sport is not in any respect required, though it offers you a better appreciation for what Dragon’s Dogma 2 is making an attempt to do.
Certainly, this sequel seeks to enhance upon the whole lot that Dragon’s Dogma acquired proper. It doubles down on exploration with a far larger map that is totally full of secrets and techniques, it fleshes out the motion with extra in-depth character lessons (or vocations, as the sport calls them), and it even strives for a extra nuanced narrative. On that remaining level, the primary sport flirted with political intrigue however by no means fairly embraced it; the storytelling was pretty fleeting, counting on a handful of key cutscenes to specific tone and ambiance, rather than a extra typical, dialogue-driven plot.
It is a related type of deal in Dragon’s Dogma 2. There is no query that the narrative takes a backseat to all the adventuring that you will be doing, but it surely does attempt to provide a bit extra perception into the societal workings of its fantasy setting. Most of the major story quests, for instance, contain courtly plots and characters with questionable motives. It is all very theatrical, particularly when it comes to writing, which steadily borders on the type of whimsical script you’d affiliate with Shakespearean stage performs.
It goes with out saying that the sport’s distinctive type of storytelling will not be for everybody — it is actually not the type of character-focused RPG that we have grow to be so accustomed to. However once more, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is all about gameplay, and we would dare recommend {that a} extra concerned narrative would detract from what the title does finest. As a plot that merely bubbles away within the background — and provides you ample excuse to go off on far-flung adventures — it greater than will get the job carried out.
Because it seems, everybody needs a favour from the Arisen. Nobles vie for the chosen one’s affect to additional their very own ambitions, whereas the peasants cry out for assist with their extra humdrum happenings. It is no shock, then, that facet quests are quite a few, sending you up and down the land seeking eventual glory. Most are genuinely attention-grabbing and add context to the encompassing world, however the goals usually boil right down to go right here, get this, deliver it again. Fortunately, that is one other scenario the place the power of the sport’s exploration carries the remainder of the expertise; the act of really journeying to your vacation spot is normally the spotlight of any given quest.
And that is as a result of Dragon’s Dogma 2 goes all-in on making its map as dynamic as attainable. Primarily, random occasions and enemies are key to preserving issues contemporary. Whether or not it is a pack of squealing goblins or a ox-drawn cart being dismantled by a griffon, there’s virtually at all times one thing mad occurring. There are even occasions when complete teams of foes from a close-by cave or bandit camp shall be drawn into the fray, which leads to utter chaos. You already know in Skyrim once you’d see giants and mammoths having a go at wandering guards and assume, “wow, this sport actually feels alive”? Properly, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is like that, however taken to a brand new stage.
There’s additionally a smattering of very refined survival mechanics, which assist keep that integral sense of journey. As you journey and inevitably have interaction in fight — there’s rather a lot of fight — your most well being will lower as you’re taking injury. At the very least within the sport’s early hours, this progressively degrading well being pool forces you to cease and relaxation after a tricky combat, both at a delegated campsite out within the wilderness, or at an inn. As such, there’s a component of threat versus reward to every tour, and it is enhanced by means of a beautiful day and night time cycle wherein extra harmful monsters (together with horror-tinged creatures, just like the residing lifeless) roam the roads after sundown.
Battling in opposition to these beasts is the place the sport arguably shines brightest. Fight within the authentic Dragon’s Dogma was wonderful as soon as you bought to grips with its barely jank mechanics, and the sequel simply pushes the whole lot ahead. There’s now a powerful smoothness to character animations, whereas every enemy sort comes with its personal bag of tips that you will must take care of. What’s extra, vocations are extremely diversified of their method, resulting in an enthralling diploma of experimentation as you attempt to discover a favorite.
Actually although, it is the really feel of fight that is usually excellent — a feat that Capcom has achieved time and time once more through the years with titles like Monster Hunter and Satan Could Cry. For the uninitiated, fight revolves round vocations and the strategies that they bestow, but it surely’s the way you deal with every encounter that issues. Monsters have particular weaknesses — harpies must be blasted out of the air earlier than they’re weak, for example — and a few vocations are significantly better suited to clobbering sure beasts than others. You may as well use the encompassing terrain to your benefit, leaping onto bigger foes and climbing throughout them in a really Shadow of the Colossus method. It is all brilliantly dynamic, at all times providing alternative ways to deal with more and more loopy conditions.
Briefly, there’s little extra satisfying than touchdown a crushing blow to an ogre’s head, earlier than watching it reel from the impression and crash to the ground. However what separates Dragon’s Dogma from its friends is the way you manufacture that skull-smashing assault within the first place. It is a party-based system, the place your Arisen is joined on their journey by not-quite-human entities referred to as pawns. These AI-driven companions are central to each gameplay and the story, as they dwell and die by the Arisen’s will. In battle, pawns act in response to their prior experiences, providing recommendation in the event that they’re conversant in a sure foe.
They acquire stated expertise by means of their adventures with different gamers, and that is actually the crux of the pawn system as a complete. Taking part in on-line is not a requirement — staying offline will see that your sport is populated by randomised Capcom pawns — however an web connection implies that you will encounter pawns from “different worlds”; secondary characters that every participant creates alongside their Arisen. Your major pawn is your fixed companion, and will they be employed by one other participant, they will acquire information that may be put to make use of throughout your individual excursions.
If you happen to performed the primary sport, you will already know the pawn system inside-out, and mechanically, it is just about an identical right here within the sequel. Having stated that, apparent enhancements have been made to pawn AI. Extra particularly, pawns now combat in response to their vocation. Mages and archers keep at a distance as shield-bearers and warriors wade into the carnage, stopping the moments of sheer frustration that would punctuate battles within the authentic launch.
General, the pawn system stays a singular promoting level. The pawns themselves nonetheless have an underlying weirdness to them, and it is amplified by the addition of pawn-to-pawn banter. New gamers may query why co-op is not at the least an possibility, however there is no denying simply how endearing your trusty pawns may be, particularly once you’re shoulder to shoulder within the warmth of battle.
Talking of which, getting busy on the battlefield might be once you’ll discover the only biggest flaw of Dragon’s Dogma 2. We’re, in fact, referring to its uncapped body charge, which is able to fluctuating wherever between what looks like 15 and 60 frames-per-second on PS5. Now, crucial factor to notice is that 90 p.c of the time, the title runs at a (comparatively) regular 30fps — and the sport performs so easily that almost all gamers most likely will not even discover the extra minor dips. Nonetheless, when issues get hectic in the midst of a street that is full of vegetation, after which the sport has to render loopy magic spell results over the whole lot, the body charge can tank.
Hilariously, should you pan the digital camera to the sky — away from all the timber, grasses, particles, lighting results, and shadows — you will see the body charge skyrocket to a stable 60. That is additionally the case once you enter The Rift — an interdimensional (and most significantly, barren) aircraft the place you’ll be able to recruit pawns. The highs and lows of an uncapped body charge are clear, then, however we dwell in hope that Capcom can optimise the title post-launch.
It is an actual disgrace, as a result of visually, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is commonly picturesque. The environmental element — notably out within the wilds — is gorgeous, and the lighting is immaculate. At occasions, it seems to be like a correct current-gen launch — one thing that will by no means run on a PS4. Actually, our solely presentational gripe is with the distinctly missing dialogue animations. Lip-syncing is barely a factor outdoors of full-on cutscenes, and we swear that a few of the inventory animations are taken straight from the primary sport. Jarring stuff, particularly when the remainder of the discharge seems to be so nicely realised.
And at last, we have to at the least point out the sport’s microtransactions, which, greater than something, are simply very disappointing. In case it wasn’t made clear already, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is an unbelievable RPG. Whereas taking part in by means of all the journey for the needs of this assessment, not as soon as did we discover ourselves pining to spend actual cash on objects that may be obtained in-game. Nonetheless, the mere presence of stated microtransactions looks like Capcom’s spitting within the face of its personal excellence. Dragon’s Dogma 2 doesn’t want microtransactions; it is a single-player, open world launch that places the whole lot it has into its pursuit of exploration and discovery. Once more, a really disappointing resolution.
