It’s been 11 years since Capcom’s fantasy action role-playing game Dragon’s Dogma released, and fans are already waiting for the game’s March 22 release. the long-awaited sequel, Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 takes everything that made the original a cult classic and builds on that foundation. There are new jobs, more monsters to take on, more ways to defeat them, more places to adventure, and most of all, more life in the world of Arisen.
I got a chance to go hands-on with Dragon’s Dogma 2 and talk with its director, Hideaki Itsuno. Here are some highlights from my experience with Dragon’s Dogma 2, along with some quotes from the director.
A connected world
The first thing I noticed during my adventure in Dragon’s Dogma 2 was how real the world felt. Thanks to the PlayStation 5 SSD, there are no loading times when moving from land to land, making the adventure that much more engaging. I went straight from the original village to the monster-infested suburbs without even realizing how far I had come due to the feeling of the world being interconnected.
This connection also applies to monsters. After losing a battle with a dragon and trying to escape, I was horrified to see the scaly monster still chasing me as I returned to what I thought was the safety of the village.
Of course, Itsuno was happy to hear my reaction to this, as it was one of his main goals to make the game feel much more vibrant on current-gen hardware.
“Back on the PlayStation 3 with the original, we were limited and so the creatures would eventually load out once you got far enough. We wanted to use enhancements to make these creatures feel alive, so now when you try to run away, you’ll look back and see it won’t be as easy as it was before.”
More ways to fight
However, I don’t run away from every battle. As I got used to this world’s enemies, I realized the additions to the combat system and new functions take Dragon’s Dogma 2 to the next level.
One prominent class is Mystic Spearhand, which grants access to magic and physical attacks using a double-headed spear. Using this class against the many monsters that plague this world, I can not only defend with physical resistance buffs but can also take on mobs with simple spear swings, dash attacks and ranged attacks allow me to pick up and throw monsters. To kill two birds with one stone, you can throw one monster at another.
This feels like a class created for every obstacle. I really like the freedom the dash attack provides to quickly perform a damaging jab while dodging enemy attacks. And now that all professions can maintain stamina while standing on giant monsters, I feel ready to take on any challenge the game throws at me.
The land of endless adventure
The land of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a vast land that I immediately got lost in, heading into the wilderness in search of adventure, where the magic of this game lies. Itsuno details it as a true journey title, a game in which players do not necessarily have to follow preset rules and destinations but can create their own stories.
Advanced AI and pawns
Upgrades in the AI department have also been made. Pawns, which are your allies, are much more useful and have a prominent presence throughout the adventure. The pawn system remains unchanged from the original. They still do the same things, like getting you items and helping in battle, but now they do it all more efficiently. They are always nearby when I need them and I feel the need to keep them alive to support me in battle. They also guide you to your goals whenever you find yourself lost in the big world.
My favorite addition to these companions is in the personality department. The pawns will talk to you and others, making them feel like actual characters you can perceive, although you can trade them for another Pawn in the future.
PlayStation 5 immersive features
The PlayStation 5 SSD isn’t the only feature that stands out on the console in Dragon’s Dogma 2. The game adds even more interactivity in combat, with the tactile feel of the DualSense wireless controller occupies the central position. Both when attacking and being attacked in turn, you will feel the ferocity of each attack through the DualSense controller.
You can get this experience and more when Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases on March 22 on PlayStation 5.
