Dragon's Dogma 2 is a Brand-New Franchise Stepping Stone for All Intents and Purposes (2024)

When Dragon's Dogma 2 was released in March, it marked a significant moment for both Capcom and the fans of the franchise. For a dedicated player who has spent countless hours in the world of the original Dragon's Dogma and its Dark Arisen expansion, this new chapter was eagerly anticipated. Dragon's Dogma 2, while reminiscent of its predecessor, stands out as a distinctive and promising addition to the series. The journey with Dragon's Dogma began with the original game, which immediately captivated players with its immersive world. The original was full of memorable experiences, such as a lantern dying out in the middle of the night, enveloping the player in darkness and suddenly revealing eerie creatures, accompanied by ghostly whispers.

Dragon's Dogma 2 retains this atmospheric tension while introducing fresh elements that make it a worthy sequel. Among the most notable improvements is the interaction with Pawns, the AI companions that journey with the player. In this game, they feel more human, and there were moments of amusem*nt when a Pawn would do something like comment on the all-male group, subtly reflecting on the player's choices. Nevertheless, it has a few clear areas for growth in a future game.

How Dragon's Dogma 2 Evolves the Series, and Where It Could Go Next

New Beastrans Race Adds Depth to Dragon's Dogma Lore

A significant addition in Dragon's Dogma 2 is the introduction of a new race known as the Beastrans. They play a pivotal role in the game's narrative. Unlike humans, Beastrans view Battahl pawns as threats and bearers of misfortune, and they do not revere the Arisen. This addition deepens and contrasts the game’s lore, fulfilling a vision that director Hideaki Itsuno had wanted to include in the original game but didn’t have the chance to implement.

Dragon's Dogma Needs to Reassess Its Fast Travel Priorities

The world of Dragon's Dogma 2 is full of surprises, encouraging exploration and rewarding players who discover hidden treasures and secrets. However, this aspect also highlights one of Dragon's Dogma 2's shortcomings: travel can become tedious in the latter part of the game, especially when facing constant threats. It’s not uncommon to encounter a giant right after dealing with a group of harpies, only to hear the roar of a dragon in the distance. Future installments could benefit from streamlining this aspect, perhaps by introducing faster travel options later on, or perhaps making encounters less numerous while traveling once you’ve already traveled around the map a few times.

Dragon's Dogma's Romance Lacks Diversity

Another area where the next Dragon's Dogma game could improve is its romance system. In the first game, players could romance nearly any NPC, allowing for same-sex romances that were inclusive for queer gamers. However, the second game offers only a few female options, which feels limiting for those wanting to play as straight women or queer characters. This was particularly evident during the final emotional parts of the game, where a male character with whom the player had built a close bond was sidelined as a mere friend. To appeal to a broader audience, including fans of games like Dragon Age and Baldur's Gate 3, Capcom should consider expanding the romance options to be more inclusive.

Dragon's Dogma 2 Opens the Door For More

Dragon's Dogma 2 has been a massive success for Capcom, selling 2.5 million copies in just 11 days. This remarkable achievement has pushed the total sales of the Dragon's Dogma franchise to over 10 million units, arguably positioning Dragon's Dogma as one of Capcom's premier franchises. This level of success not only validates the efforts put into developing Dragon's Dogma 2 but also signals a strong demand for future projects. With this momentum, Capcom will undoubtedly be motivated to continue expanding and innovating within this beloved series.

For long-time fans, the future of the series is an exciting prospect. Dragon's Dogma 2 has not only rekindled a love for the world of Dragon's Dogma but also instilled hope for even more epic adventures to come. With continued innovation and a focus on inclusivity, the future of Dragon's Dogma looks brighter than ever.

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Dragon's Dogma 2

Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!

Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.

On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.

All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Action RPG

Systems

OpenCritic Reviews

Top Critic Rating:87/100 Critics Recommend:93%

Franchise

Dragon's Dogma

Platform(s)

PC , PS5 , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

March 22, 2024

Developer(s)

Capcom

Publisher(s)

Capcom

Engine

RE Engine

ESRB

Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

How Long To Beat

30 Hours

PS Plus Availability

N/A

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