Dragon's Dogma 2 Review | One Of The Best RPGs Of Its Time

If you were a fan of RPGs in the 2010s, you have likely heard of Dragon's Dogma. Capcom's 2012 game was one of a kind, offering a unique blend of action, exploration, and fantasy adventure. The series gained a dedicated following, but eventually faded into the background. In 2024, after twelve years, Dragon's Dogma 2 has finally arrived.

The developers at Capcom faced the challenging task of reviving the franchise for modern audiences while preserving its essence. Have they succeeded in delivering a worthy sequel that builds on the strengths of its predecessor while also providing enough new content? Absolutely, yes, they have.

Dragon's Dogma 2 Review: The Bottom Line

Before delving deeper into my experience with Dragon's Dogma 2 (spoiler-free, of course), let me offer a brief verdict: Dragon's Dogma 2 is an incredible game that delivers an exceptional gaming experience. The game doesn't guide you every step of the way, but instead allows you to discover much of its wonderful world on your own.

You will need to talk to people to find many quests, as they won't be marked on your map. Don't rely on the game to guide you too much. Dragon's Dogma 2 offers an incredible experience by encouraging exploration, independent thinking, and problem-solving. This approach is really refreshing and engaging.

Unveiling The Adventure Anew

After the first gameplay trailers for Dragon's Dogma 2 were released, it became clear that the game would share similarities with its predecessor, utilizing familiar mechanics and aesthetics. Dragon's Dogma 2 retains the essence of the first game, including its signature features such as Pawns, vocations, and the unique combat mechanics.

Although Dragons Dogma 2 appears to be an old-school RPG based on its main menu and HUD, it definitely incorporates new and innovative elements into the gameplay. This is evident in the more varied and complex world design. While the gameplay and story may feel familiar, the game introduces new options that breathe new life into exploration and travel.

Exploring A Vibrant World

Dragons Dogma 2 features an incredible open world that fulfills all my RPG dreams. The two regions of Vermund and Batthal offer a vast and diverse world with breathtaking landscapes, hidden dungeons, and dangers lurking around every corner.

The game world strikes the perfect balance between challenge and accessibility. You will encounter different enemies depending on the time of day. And believe me, the world of Dragon's Dogma 2 is full of enemies. While traveling is never boring, it does present some challenges, especially since each battle reduces your maximum health points until you can rest.

Capcom lets you experience these challenges, so you can learn from them. Forget about time and end up travelling at night? Bad idea, especially in the early hours of the game. Forget to bring camping gear? Even worse. Chances are high that you will be overrun by a group of skeletons and phantoms who will slash you to pieces.

The world of Dragon's Dogma 2 feels incredibly alive. The sense of exploration is strong as you travel through its vast expanse. With fast travel limited to select routes and locations, you are forced to engage with your surroundings, which really brought out the explorer in me. At one point, I didn't even want to use the oxcart anymore (one of the game's fast travel systems), fearing I might miss out on something the world had to offer. Every journey is a test of endurance and resourcefulness, an adventure waiting to be experienced.

Mastering The Art Of Combat

The combat system in Dragon's Dogma 2 is a thrilling one, offering players a variety of vocations to choose from, each with its own unique play style and abilities. Whether you prefer the brute strength of a warrior, the precision of an archer, the arcane mastery of a mage, or a special class like the trickster or mystic spearhand, there's a vocation to suit every preference.

Unlocking and transitioning between vocations not only adds a layer of depth to combat and allows you to adjust your strategy, but it never gets boring and really motivated me to level up each class.

Combat encounters are challenging and tactical,requiring careful consideration of positioning, timing, and resource management. Dynamic battles keep you on your feet, immersing you in the thrill of combat as you face off against formidable foes. With each victory, you become stronger, improving your skills and unlocking new abilities to unleash on your enemies. Although the variety of enemies is not extensive, the fights are always entertaining and often quite challenging.

Your Best Friends In Combat And Peace: The Pawns

Pawns are ethereal companions that accompany you on your journey. They add depth and immersion to the game by serving as both valuable combat support and carriers of character development and storytelling. Pawns have unique personalities that evolve over time, and they can learn from experiences, making them more than mere sidekicks; they become integral parts of your adventure.

To be honest, nothing is more fulfilling to me than my pawns giving me a high five after successfully defeating a huge, nasty ogre. On the other hand, an unsympathetic pawn in my party can ruin my day.While the concept of Pawns is innovative and enriching, there are moments when their instructions may be unclear, and their behavior seems a little unintelligent. Nonetheless, traveling together strengthens the bond between you and your Pawn, reinforcing the sense of companionship and shared experiences throughout the journey.

Final Verdict

To me, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a fantastic game. It has everything that a good RPG should have: a huge, immersive open world that can capture me for hours, well-told quests, lively characters, and great storytelling.

Although the main story may not be the game's strongest point, it doesn't have to be. The game doesn't differentiate between main and side quests, so the story progresses naturally while playing. Dragon's Dogma 2 is a challenging and rewarding game that I thoroughly enjoy. I hope that new content will be released soon to extend the experience.

Rating: 90/100