The following contains spoilers forDragon’s Dogma 2.
The lore ofDragon’s Dogma 2is very complex, as fully understanding it requires players to engage in conversation with many of its characters and explore its vast open world in search of notes explaining its history. Much ofDragon’s Dogma 2’s complexity comes from its dealings with time, specifically regarding the endless cycle caused by the emergence and fall of the Dragon and the Arisen. Because its story relies so heavily on time, many ofDragon’s Dogma 2’s characters have interesting backstories and agendas directly tied to the cycle. One of these characters is Gigantus, otherwise known as Talos, whom players encounter near the end ofDragon’s Dogma 2’s story.
Shortly after completing the quest “A New Godsway” inDragon’s Dogma 2, players will begin the quest “The Guardian Gigantus,” which eventually sees Gigantus emerging from the ocean and making its way toward Volcanic Island. As they make their way through the cliffs, the player’s Pawns will ponder whether Gigantus is a friend or an enemy but affirm that he must be stopped nonetheless, as it will likely bring ruin anywhere it goes. As the player and their Pawns make their way closer to Gigantus, more confusion surrounds the purpose of its emergence from the sea. However, the Pawns comment shortly after that the giant appears to be pursuing Phaesus. From here, the player can either defeat Gigantus or allow the giant to be defeated by NPCs. Either way, Gigantus eventually falls, but the purpose of its summoning may not be all it seems to be.
The True Reason Gigantus Was Summoned
Despite the assumptions made that Gigantus was summoned to pursue Phaesus, some lore bits from two entirely different sources in the game seem to suggest otherwise. Firstly, the Pathfinder says to the Arisen at one point, “For a well-crafted tale has no excess; there must be a reason for each character’s inclusion.” This statement simply provides the setup, however, as the defining detail comes from the Rivage Elder who resides in Harve. When speaking to him, he says, “The Gigantus is an earthen structure that harkens to the voice of the sea, for ‘tis a servant of the Brine! Just asthe Arisen commands the Pawns, so too does the sea’s peril compel the Gigantus. Supposedly,the Brine have their colossal servant monitor the Dragon, to ensure that it commits no acts of excess. And should it be stirred to life by the voice of the sea, mayhap ‘twould do aught to put that dragon in its place!”
The Pathfinder’s statement of a “well-crafted tale” having “no excess” and the Rivage Elder’s comment of Gigantus being summoned to ensure the Dragon “commits no acts of excess” seem to go together. While it initially seemed as thoughGigantus was summoned to pursue Phaesus, according to the Rivage Elder, the giant would have been summoned to stop the Dragon from committing “acts of excess.” Furthermore, Gigantus was supposedly summoned by the Brine. If this truly is the case, then the Brine would be connected to the great will in some way, calling Gigantus forth to prevent the cycle from being broken. This would make sense because the Arisen had just come into possession of the Empowered Godsbane Blade, which could be used on themselves to end the cycle. The Dragon’s “acts of excess” then would be convincing the Arisen to do so, which he attempts to do during their final encounter, thus leading to the emergence of Gigantus.
Ironically, Gigantus would likely have defeated the Dragon on its own or at least assisted the Arisen in battle, but only to keep the cycle going.Dragon’s Dogma 2’s good endingis achieved by defeating the Dragon, so it is an option, but it would prevent the true ending from taking place, which sees the cycle broken once and for all.
