Dragon's Dogma 2: A Masterclass in Exploration and Adventure

20.03.2024 - 15:57 / mmorpg.com

Throughout my gaming history, few titles have offered the sheer scope and ambition of CAPCOM’s Dragon’s Dogma 2. Set to release on March 22, 2024, this highly anticipated sequel is currently poised to be one of the biggest RPG releases of the year – if not this generation. However, as a continuation of the 2012 cult classic Dragon’s Dogma, newcomers may find themselves grappling with several aspects that are deeply rooted in its predecessor’s niche appeal. Here’s our review of Dragon’s Dogma 2.

Setting the Stage: The Legacy of Dragon’s Dogma

The original Dragon’s Dogma garnered a dedicated following over the years, particularly among fans of CAPCOM’s other franchises. Despite its cult status, it never achieved mainstream success on the level of behemoths like Skyrim or Elden Ring. Part of this niche appeal stems from Dragon’s Dogma’s unique blend of open-world exploration and action-packed combat, drawing inspiration from CAPCOM’s own titles such as Devil May Cry and Monster Hunter. 

However, players criticized the original game for its obtuse mechanics and seemingly unfinished content – such as the exclusion of an Elven village only hinted at in dialogue – leaving much to be desired for fans and developers alike.

With Dragon’s Dogma 2, CAPCOM appears to address the shortcomings of its predecessor while staying true to the vision that made the original so beloved. While the sequel still retains the same open-world RPG framework of its predecessor, it expounds upon it in such a way that offers both a more polished and complete experience, with a greater emphasis on accessibility and player engagement. The easiest – and most noticeable – example that demonstrates this is the improved combat, which has refined and polished its systems to deliver fast-paced encounters without feeling clunky like before.

Character Customization and Progression

The journey begins (as all good RPGs must) with the creation of your character – the Arisen. Dragon Dogma 2’s new character creator affords a level of customization that rivals even the most intricate character creators in gaming, including Black Desert Online and Cyberpunk 2077. Yeah, I said it! From the broad strokes of body type and facial features to the minutiae of eye color and scar patterns, every detail contributes to crafting a truly individualized character. This robust customization fosters a personal connection to its narrative and sets the stage for a deeply immersive experience.

While as impressive as these new character creation tools may be, it’s an entirely different story if you cannot properly utilize them (like myself). I’ve seen some examples online from creators using theCharacter Creator and Storage tool where they’ve made Pawns that look like