The first Dragon’s Dogma was a real gem. I played it first on the Xbox 360, but the performance was abysmal on that console. It ruined the experience back then, which led to me never finishing it. However, the Steam release that came many years later saved it and showed me the true potential of the game. It had a few quirks and faults, but overall, it was a fun and pretty unique experience. Especially the pawn system. So, with Dragon’s Dogma 2 coming out, I couldn’t help but get it on release.
Publisher hellscape
Beyond the hellscape that is modern publishing with microtransactions up the arse and the usual performance issues thanks to having zero testing – the game is an improvement over the first from a gameplay and technical perspective (graphics). However, I’m saddened to say, the feeling that the first game bestowed me just isn’t there. Sure, it’s fun (at times), but the general feeling of playing is that it’s “okay” at best. Dragon’s Dogma 2 feels much more like a reboot/remake, than an actual sequel. While the story is different, it still feels like a retread of the first game. It almost has the exact setup. Start in a small village, then go to a huge city, do quests in that city that take you over the lands, and then eventually defeat the dragon and become lord. Same damn premise.
There are some new things, of course, especially stuff that involves the pawns. For example, they are much more useful now, as they will help you find secret paths, and climb to areas you can’t reach to collect loot. Often though, the loot is extremely boring. It will mostly consist of random items used in crafting. That’s one of the problems with the game, exploring, while cool at times, gives very little in return in the form of valuables and equipment. It’s just boring, and well, so is the gameplay, unfortunately. You see, there is no challenge in Dragon’s Dogma 2 past the first few levels. Me and my crew just chew through everything, even the big bad bosses. Disappointing to say the least, considering the game promises so much.
I thought the initial idea of having travel take time, and be perilous sounded exciting and very much in tune with classic fantasy tales. But its dangers are easy to circumvent. There are campfires for you to rest at everywhere to replenish your health – the only challenge is not to fall asleep in real life running to the quest location. Easily dispatched monsters in combination with dead exploration make for one unhappy Arisen. I have not finished the game yet, so everything could change of course, but the likelihood of that is extremely small.
Looks great at least
I admit that Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a real looker. At times, I have to take a break and just admire the splendid vista. But you can’t base your enjoyment on only that, at least, I can’t. There isn’t too much difference in the environment, however. All the caves have looked and felt the same, which was a thing I hoped would get massively improved – cooler dungeons! As it is, though, they have all just been long winding corridors of solid rock instead of something interesting. If it were something that would sell me the game, it would have been expansive dungeons with days of dungeon diving and mystical crypts to explore, but alas. Nothing so far.
While Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks great, and the gameplay provides some fun in the improvements over the first game, overall it feels like an immense letdown, and somewhat of a slog to go through. It’s way too easy, and the pacing and structure are the same as Dragon’s Dogma, which makes it a boring grind to undergo again. Not good!
Thanks for reading.
/Thomas
Tom's Gaming Vault 