Dragon’s Dogma 2 Review

It’s a rare feat for a new installment to a cult classic to achieve critical acclaim and somewhat mainstream status. However, there are instances where lightning strikes twice. One such example is Monster Hunter World, which catapulted the beloved series into the limelight, grabbing the attention of both seasoned fans and newcomers alike.

Enter Dragon’s Dogma 2.

The original Dragon’s Dogma game, while intriguing, achieved mild success upon its initial release. Its mechanics were unapologetically challenging, offering minimal hand-holding and allowing players to navigate the game world independently. We are now in an era where guided experiences in the form of countless map markers and checklists prevail, so this approach would certainly create friction for players.

Is Dragon’s Dogma 2 good? Is it worth it? I’d like to say that it will largely depend on what type of gameplay you crave, but the game is massively engaging, surprising, and downright mind-blowing at times that it becomes hard to put down despite resonating differently for each player.

Funny how that worked out both times for Capcom, huh?

The Arisen’s Quest

Following the footsteps of the first game, Dragon’s Dogma 2 employs many familiar mechanics and systems and doubles down on divisiveness. As titles like Elden Ring and Breath of the Wild/Tears of the Kingdom have hardened our stomachs for exploration and risk-taking, Capcom’s latest installment offers a compelling adventure of a similar vein.

Players assume the character of the Arisen, whose heart has been ruthlessly seized by a Dragon. The Arisen embarks on a quest to reclaim their stolen heart, and this ensuing odyssey spans the vast landscapes of Vermund and Battahl. While the narrative may seem absurd, it remains serviceable, and prior knowledge of the original game is not a total prerequisite.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 features a highly impressive character creator, one that players may spend a lot of time with because of actual beneficial reasons if you want to get your pawn hired (more on this later). Options and sliders abound, and creating a character (and a pawn) that looks exactly like you’ve envisioned them to be could only be a matter of time and patience.

A Living, Dynamic World

The heart of the game lies in exploration and gameplay. The world is filled with great plains, dizzying cliff faces, and lengthy rope bridges. Elden Ring successfully brought the sense of curiosity and exploration to the forefront, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 reaches the same highs, immersing the player in a journey that is as rewarding as it is treacherous.

One thing that Dragon’s Dogma 2 does very well is infuse the world with events that make it feel alive, lived in, and dynamic. One time you’re riding peacefully on an ox cart to your next destination and the next thing you know, an ogre rises from the rubble to challenge your party. Other occurrences include dragons appearing from out of nowhere, griffons swooping in for the kill, and even a nearby town helping you dispose of the challenges at hand if they can.

Player agency reigns supreme. The interplay between actions and consequences is nothing short of remarkable, where every decision, whether grand or subtle, is felt throughout the world. The game and the world remember, and in fact, some side quests will even expire if you don’t do them right away since time in the world is in a constant state of motion. I can imagine this feature being divisive and a cause of friction for a lot of people, but there’s a magic in it that’s hard to explain, and it just works well with everything else.

As a result, Dragon’s Dogma 2’s world is tough but interesting and magical at the same time. There’s an intrigue that’s hard to top and a sense of wonder that reels you in and almost never lets go. Exploring unknown places is a thrill, and similar to how Elden Ring always pushes to you explore that cave or crevice in the distance, so too does Dragon’s Dogma 2 as it rewards you with the effort. Each step of the journey—whether triumphant or perilous—becomes a vivid highlight.

Encounters Await

Your character and your hired pawns will be engaged in combat so much throughout your travels that having your weapon at the ready will be second nature in Dragon’s Dogma 2. Don’t fret, because combat is another amazing aspect of the game that you’ll want to be in a fight every so often. The visceral impact of strikes, accompanied by dazzling visual effects, is memorable, but it’s the diverse vocations that truly elevate combat. These distinct playstyles—more than mere classes—allow players to tailor their approach. And the best part? You’re not bound to a single vocation because experimentation is encouraged.

Vocations in Dragon’s Dogma 2 are key to what makes combat in the game fun. It’s easy to just think of them as classes, but their playstyles are so distinct from each other that players will surely find one that suits them the most. You’re not locked to any vocation either, so trying them all out is certainly a choice. Hiring pawns to complement your chosen vocation is also critical to your success, as the party makeup will often spell victory or defeat.

Hiring pawns is a system in and of its own, where players can choose from thousands of pawns around the world, even some celebrity pawns, to aid them in battle. These pawns will have their own alignments, skill loadouts, and more, making the choice of who to choose an important one. They will grow with you throughout your journey, and there’s a real connection to be made from your escapades, and despite some of them being too talkative, their AI is extremely competent and they are indeed worthy allies.

There are some mechanics and systems in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that may definitely turn off potential Arisen. Your health bar will have a lower cap the more you take damage in fights, fast travel isn’t exactly as easy as selecting a waypoint (you’ll need certain resources and items), you can die and lose hours of progress if you didn’t save nearby, and you can even spread a plague around town through your pawns that can wipe out the population in the morning. There’s a lot to contend with in the game, but the deepest cuts often produce the most satisfying relief once you’ve managed to understand and work around these systems.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a stunning game, but not without its faults. Those looking for a 60fps experience should look elsewhere, and while that’s disappointing, 30fps isn’t such a bad thing in this case. For the most part, it is a smooth experience with dips here and there, but treating it as something that’s unplayable is furthest from the truth.

In fact, an update was just added to the game that provides more options to make it more playable – motion blur and ray tracing toggles, 30fps cap, etc – so there’s a definite improvement and Capcom has shown a dedication to further betterment of the game, which is something you love to see.

What we liked:

• Superb Combat
• Engaging Pawn System
• Living and Dynamic World
• Stellar Audiovisual Experience

What we didn’t like:

• Microtransactions abound
• Number of Mechanics and Systems that are tough to deal with

Verdict: Buy it!

Overall, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a superb entry from Capcom that players have to contend with on two fronts. On one hand, the combat and gameplay experience is top-notch. Exploration is encouraged, the world is intriguing, and the sense of discovery is just phenomenal. There aren’t a lot of games that can successfully do this, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 does it effortlessly, and in spades.

On the other hand, and equally as important, is if you, as a player, can contend and deal with its frustrating and unapologetically “old-school” mechanics. With games in this day and age focusing more and more on hand-holding and with some respecting your time more, there are some features in Capcom’s latest that will really grind your gears. How much are you willing to sacrifice to deal with them?

Despite that, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a stellar affair that I have learned to love the more I played the game. I did lose a few hours here and there due to some mistakes and accidents, but the pull of the world and combat were too strong to overcome, and I’m glad I kept at it. It’s undoubtedly one of the best open-world RPG’s out there, and if that’s not reason enough to try it, then maybe the simple prospect of slaying dragons and other legendary creatures should suffice.

*Dragon’s Dogma 2 was reviewed on a PS5 with a review code provided by the publisher.