Summary
Releasing just a week ago,Dragon’s Dogma 2has managed to make quite the name for itself already. A swathe of rave reviews from critics, some microtransaction controversies, and whispers about something called “Dragonsplague” have all made for a feverish first week forDragon’s Dogma 2, but as the dust settles, what’s left is just a really great open-world fantasy RPG that certainly has flaws, but also takes plenty of risks that help it stand out from the crowd.
Whenthe firstDragon’s Dogmareleased all the way back in 2012, it immediately garnered a small, but loyal fan-base that saw the potential of what Capcom was trying to do for the open-world space. Over a decade later, Capcom is back trying to capture that same magic, and this time, it’s reached a much wider audience. But that doesn’t mean thatDragon’s Dogma 2panders to the masses. In fact, the opposite is true. ThoughDragon’s Dogma 2features plenty of UI and tutorial improvements over its predecessor, it’s still an experimental Capcom RPG at heart that plays fast and loose with the rules of the fantasy genre, and that’s potentially one of the game’s biggest strengths.
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Consequences Set It Apart From the Crowd
Most Fantasy RPGs Treat The Player Like a Hero
Over the last two decades or so,the fantasy RPG genrehas continued to develop its own set of conventions and tropes, and one of those is the unbeatable, infallible hero archetype. Not just restricted to video games, this concept of a hero that can never do wrong has been around for centuries, but it’s gotten increasingly popular in the world of video games, especially in the open-world RPG space.
In games likeSkyrim,Zelda, andDragon Age, players are put into the role of an all-mighty hero that the world seemingly revolves around. These heroes are able to turn the tide of war just by being present at a battle, they’re capable of wielding powers that no other ever has, and it’s often the case the fate of the entire world, and sometimes universe, is determined by their actions. Many RPGs make the player feel like the ultimate hero, and while that’s not necessarily a bad thing, that experience has gotten a little trite over the last decade or so.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Treats The Player Like a Hero With Flaws
Subverting this infallible hero premise is whereDragon’s Dogma 2shines best. While players still take control of a hero destined to save the world, this role is thrust upon them inDragon’s Dogma 2, and it’s one of the few RPGs that really makes the player feel like they’ve been thrown in at the deep-end, and that there’s this sudden overwhelming pressure to live up to some lofty legacy, just like their own character would be feeling. With such a heavy legacy on their shoulders, it only makes sense thatDragon’s Dogma 2’s Arisenwould make some mistakes along the way, and when players do,Dragon’s Dogma 2makes sure they know about it.
One of the greatest strengths ofDragon’s Dogma 2is its consequences. From the get-go, players are repeatedly told via various tutorials and in-game dialogue that there will always be consequences for their actions, or inaction. When additional Pawns die, they die permanently. When key items are accidentally sold, they’re lost forever, and the player needs to find a workaround to complete any affected quests. And if the player allows one of theirPawns to succumb to Dragonsplague, it can wipe out an entire city and everyone inside it. And if players rest for too long, time-sensitive side quests will vanish. The Arisen is still a hero with a great deal of power, but in the immortal words of Uncle Ben, it comes with great responsibility.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
WHERE TO PLAY
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.
