DD2 is finally out, and players are already exploring the magical world. If you're wondering whether Dragon's Dogma 2 is worth purchasing and if it's the right game for you, this article will provide you with all the answers. Here's everything you need to know before you buy:
Table of Contents
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The Gameplay in a Few Words
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an action open-world RPG. You start off by creating your own character. Capcom really went all out with the customization, giving players lots of freedom to make their own main character. You don't go into the adventure alone - three AI-controlled NPCs called pawns are there to support you throughout your journey. You get to make the first one at the very beginning of DD2.
The game features day and night cycles, and NPCs appear at specific times. Dragon's Dogma offers a lot of variety in how you can approach different situations and quests. There are no level limitations, and there's a huge level of freedom in the gameplay.
The combat is more like 'Monster Hunter', focusing on creatures. All enemies have weak points which you need to keep in mind. The game won't force you into combat, and most battles are encountered while exploring.
The quests are very open-ended, and you can skip the main quest completely and just jump into the adventure on your own. Many of the quests are simple and straight to the point, making you deliver things or take care of situations. Pawns are there to help you with guidance.
The full map is huge and can be explored at any time. You find locations instead of following marks on the map. This gives the game a more natural and realistic feeling, but it can also be a little confusing.
Basically, Dragon's Dogma 2 is all about exploring - finding locations, hidden secrets, and approaches to situations.
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Who Will Enjoy Dragon's Dogma 2?
Dragon's Dogma 2 is surely not the game for everyone. To begin, you need to be a fantasy fan. Are you up for some reading, or do you only care about the action? Something else you need to consider is how the game will let you come up with a lot of things on your own. You won't see the locations marked on the map, which can be very frustrating. There are a lot of old-school mechanics which haven't been changed to cater to a newer audience.
The game is all about exploring. If you're into discovering things, finding out everything on your own - DD2 will get you hooked. There are just so many hidden secrets to discover! Puzzles and quests have to be solved without any hints, so you better stay focused and pay attention.
There's also only one save file, which will prevent you from save-scumming. If that's an issue for you, Dragon's Dogma 2 is probably not the right purchase.
Comparison with Other Games
Some content creators already call DD2 a mixture of Skyrim and Monster Hunter, due to the fighting and exploration. If you're an Elden Ring fan, you'll absolutely love the open world of this game and the way it doesn't "hold your hand" through the gameplay, letting you explore and figure things out on your own. DD2 offers a huge variety of choices and outcomes when it comes to quests and how to approach them. It makes you think outside the box just like Baldur's Gate 3 does, but the two titles have nothing else in common.
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How to Play Dragon's Dogma 2 with Friends?
Dragon's Dogma 2 does not have multiplayer or co-op options. If this is what you're into, we have bad news for you. This game is exclusively single-player. However, you won't be alone on your journey as pawns will be supporting you.
Graphics and Performance
Dragon's Dogma 2 surely isn't visually stunning, but it's not bad either. There are full cut-scenes, but it's not a masterpiece, despite the great character models you can customize. The frame rate on consoles and PC isn't excellent right now in more crowded areas with a lot of NPCs (around 30-20 frames per sec). However, the game is responsive, and it surprisingly doesn't have many bugs on release.
Conclusion
Dragon's Dogma 2 certainly isn't a one-size-fits-all game. Its many options and the absence of guidance can leave players feeling either liberated or confused. While discovering secrets and locations independently can be very satisfying, this aspect may prove frustrating for many who will look up tutorials and guides. Freedom and doing your own thing is both the best and worst part of DD2.
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