I’m an open world RPG fan and Dragon’s Dogma 2 is unlike anything I’ve played
Most open world games these days are based on a tried and tested formula, and if you’ve played one or two, you’ll know what you’re getting into when you pick up the next one in the genre.
There’s usually a huge map to traverse, littered with quest markers and fast travel points that unlock more quest markers.
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You get a relatively linear main story and side missions to level up your character between major story pieces.
Typically, open world games hold your hand and make sure you know where to go so you don’t miss any content.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes most of these genre pillars and throws them away, proving that not sticking to what everyone else is doing is the way to go.
The game forces you to think about your every move, rather than mindlessly following a quest marker on your screen.
It rewards you for preparing well for your next adventure, and ensures you are well-rested and well-equipped for the task ahead.
You are encouraged to change your character’s calling and hire the right pawns into your party.
Still, the game will always punish you whenever you do something downright stupid.
This gives it an almost Monster Hunter-like feel, as Capcom’s other celebrated series are also more about preparation than the actual combat.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 makes no distinction between main and side missions, as even the most mundane task can often quickly turn into an adventure with major consequences.
The game wants you to be in charge of your decisions, good or bad, so there’s only one save file per playthrough, and it autosaves after important bits.
Fast travel is mostly limited to bullock carts between selected major locations, and even that system isn’t as simple as long-pressing a button, as things can happen along the way.
You can also travel between Portcrystals you find or place in the world, but this option is limited by the number of Ferrystones you have in your possession.
Everything in the game requires you to prepare and think, if you want to avoid or successfully deal with unpleasant surprises.
Even safe areas, such as camps and cities, are not completely safe, as random events can occur, which I won’t reveal.
Your own careless actions can turn a city against you, while aimless button pressing during combat will get you nowhere.
Unlike many other games in the genre, the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is designed for exploration rather than fast travel.
The game doesn’t reveal its secrets, but challenges you to find them for yourself, and trying to get the most out of them is infinitely more rewarding than following a question mark on your compass.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is no picnic and may seem quite challenging at first, but once you figure out what it wants from you, all the systems and quirky design choices fall into place.
Once that happens, it’s a true sandbox game that invites you to experiment with its mechanics and see how the complex world responds as you explore every corner.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be released on March 22, 2024 for PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X|S.
Rating: 5/5
If you want to know more about other recent and upcoming games, check out our Alone in the Dark review.
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