We’re not fairly able to ship our remaining verdict on Dragon’s Dogma 2 proper now. Due to circumstances outdoors of our management, we nonetheless want to complete the principle quest, after which try how the sport handles New Sport+ — which was a staple part of the unique Dragon’s Dogma.
After we’ve wrapped all of that up (hopefully inside the subsequent couple of days), we’ll be returning to this overview as a way to subject a definitive conclusion and a rating.
Once you consider really memorable open world video games, it is onerous to not image the likes of Elden Ring and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Each are finally 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 the direction of the unknown, and that is what makes them so engrossing.
However there was a recreation all the best way again in 2012 that tried to seize that very same sense of journey — and it was referred to as Dragon’s Dogma. Initially, Capcom’s first actual foray into the fantasy RPG house was sadly overshadowed by Skyrim, however throughout the final half decade or so, the title has firmly established itself as a cult basic by way 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 — widespread traits of crucial 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 sources and funds 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.
Every little thing this recreation 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 by way of 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 interact 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 unique launch, you play as a totally customisable character referred to as the Arisen. Your (literal) coronary heart stolen by an omnipotent dragon, it is the Arisen’s responsibility to trace the winged menace and turn out to be a hero within the eyes of the folks. Simply to be clear, this is not a direct sequel; information of the primary recreation is not in any respect required, though it gives you a larger appreciation for what Dragon’s Dogma 2 is attempting to do.
Certainly, this sequel seeks to enhance upon every little thing that Dragon’s Dogma received proper. It doubles down on exploration with a far greater map that is completely 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 recreation 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 environment, instead of a extra typical, dialogue-driven plot.
It is a comparable type of deal in Dragon’s Dogma 2. There is no query that the narrative takes a backseat to the entire adventuring that you’re going to be doing, but it surely does attempt to supply a bit extra perception into the societal workings of its fantasy setting. Lots of the principal story quests, for instance, contain courtly plots and characters with questionable motives. It is all very theatrical, particularly when it comes to writing, which ceaselessly borders on the type of whimsical script you’d affiliate with Shakespearean stage performs.
It goes with out saying that the sport’s distinctive fashion of storytelling will not be for everybody — it is definitely not the type of character-focused RPG that we have turn out to be so accustomed to. However once more, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is all about gameplay, and we might 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 executed.
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 aspect quests are quite a few, sending you up and down the land seeking eventual glory. Most are genuinely fascinating and add context to the encircling world, however the aims typically boil all the way down to go right here, get this, convey 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 truly 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 protecting 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 all the time one thing mad occurring. There are even occasions when entire 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 suppose, “wow, this recreation 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 interact in fight — there’s loads of fight — your most well being will lower as you’re taking injury. At the least within the recreation’s early hours, this steadily degrading well being pool forces you to cease and relaxation after a troublesome combat, both at a chosen 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 way of a beautiful day and evening cycle during which extra harmful monsters (together with horror-tinged creatures, just like the dwelling useless) roam the roads after sundown.
Battling towards these beasts is the place the sport arguably shines brightest. Fight within the unique Dragon’s Dogma was glorious as soon as you bought to grips with its barely jank mechanics, and the sequel simply pushes every little thing ahead. There’s now a powerful smoothness to character animations, whereas each enemy kind comes with its personal bag of methods that you’re going to must cope with. 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 over time with titles like Monster Hunter and Satan Might Cry. For the uninitiated, fight revolves round vocations and the methods that they bestow, but it surely’s the way you deal with every encounter that issues. Monsters have particular weaknesses — harpies have to be blasted out of the air earlier than they’re susceptible, as an example — and a few vocations are a lot better suited to clobbering sure beasts than others. You may as well use the encircling 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, all the time providing other ways to deal with more and more loopy conditions.
In brief, there’s little extra satisfying than touchdown a crushing blow to an ogre’s head, earlier than watching it reel from the influence 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 keeping with their prior experiences, providing recommendation in the event that they’re accustomed to a sure foe.
They acquire mentioned expertise by way 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 recreation is populated by randomised Capcom pawns — however an web connection signifies that you may encounter pawns from “different worlds”; secondary characters that every participant creates alongside their Arisen. Your principal 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 personal excursions.
For those who performed the primary recreation, you may already know the pawn system inside-out, and mechanically, it is just about similar right here within the sequel. Having mentioned that, apparent enhancements have been made to pawn AI. Extra particularly, pawns now combat in keeping with 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 unique launch.
Total, 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 not less than an choice, however there isn’t any denying simply how endearing your trusty pawns might 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 one biggest flaw of Dragon’s Dogma 2. We’re, in fact, referring to its uncapped body fee, 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 % 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. Nevertheless, when issues get hectic in the midst of a street that is filled with vegetation, after which the sport has to render loopy magic spell results over every little thing, the body fee can tank.
Hilariously, in the event you pan the digicam to the sky — away from the entire bushes, grasses, particles, lighting results, and shadows — you may see the body fee skyrocket to a strong 60. That is additionally the case once you enter The Rift — an interdimensional (and most significantly, barren) airplane the place you possibly can recruit pawns. The highs and lows of an uncapped body fee 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 usually picturesque. The environmental element — notably out within the wilds — is gorgeous, and the lighting is immaculate. At occasions, it appears 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 recreation. Jarring stuff, particularly when the remainder of the discharge appears so properly realised.