I’ve been a fan of Dragon’s Dogma since the original came out swinging with a killer J-rock intro — one that was sadly later patched in Dark Arisen. When whispers swirled around a potential Dragon’s Dogma 2, I knew I’d be a day-one buyer. After dozens of hours spent traversing a revamped continent, coming to grips with new Vocations, and maxing out my skills, it was clear that this game was going to end up on my end-of-year best-of list. Beyond that, there are quite a few reasons it should be on yours, too.
Tedious Or Triumphant?
A common complaint lobbied at Dragon’s Dogma 2 is that, with its decidedly old-school approach to exploration and fast travel, trekking through the game’s varied climes feels like more of a chore than a treat. Countless reviews lambast the restrictive fast travel system, which is item-based. Others complained about enemy density, a problem that plagued Lords of the Fallen several months prior. There were also plenty of criticisms surrounding the game’s microtransaction head-scratchers and framing the game as a reskin of the original Dragon’s Dogma.
To be fair, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is definitely more of the same. Didn’t enjoy the original? This one isn’t out to win you over. That’s a strong part of why it resonates with me. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a passion project crafted, ultimately, for a pretty specific niche of players. Several user and critic reviews also emphasize the game’s occasionally obtuse questing mechanics, when similar systems are heavily praised in games like Elden Ring. In particular, Shadow of the Erdtree has several quests that, like Dragon’s Dogma 2, will automatically skip steps or fail if you move to certain points of the map or progress the story past a certain point. The environmental storytelling at play in DD2 also merits praise.
Though the narrative doesn’t hit the operatic highs of a Final Fantasy title or have the depth of lore as Dark Souls, it’s still a serviceable enough vehicle to take you across the continent in pursuit of your next grand target. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game that wants you to spend as much time playing as possible, and I love it for that. There’s enough of a narrative thread to keep me tugging, but I’m not sitting through an unskippable 30-minute cutscene every time I’m ready to challenge the next foe or move on to a more difficult region.
Killer Combat Systems
The combat is where Dragon’s Dogma 2 really shines. From encouraging unique Pawn builds to rewarding experimentation, player freedom is at an all-time high in this title. I’ve seldom had as much fun this year as I have scaling a cyclops and clobbering it with a mace, or launching off an all-encompassing firestorm to take care of a pack of raging goblins. The first time a griffin took flight while I was still clinging desperately to its back will stick in my mind for years to come.
After an arduous battle that saw me separated from my pawns and struggling to deal damage in mid-air as the griffin swerved and dove through the skies, I narrowly emerged victorious. It was truly a top-tier gaming moment for me. Additionally, what’s important to remember is just how subjective gaming is. One player will love the trial-and-error gameplay of a Soulslike, whereas another would rather spend time in a cozy sim or grinding levels in an MMO. Some people enjoy experiences that are purely focused on the gameplay. Others still love visual novels and deep narrative experiences.
DD2 isn’t trying to be the perfect experience for a more casual gamer. A handful of its systems and quirks are intentionally unforgiving to ensure that you change your mindset each time you leave the safety of your nearest town or village. While these polarizing design choices won’t work for everyone, they’ll really work for some gamers, enough to propel the title to GOTY status for many of us out there.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Is GOTY-Worthy
So, the big question remains: Does Dragon’s Dogma 2 deserve to win GOTY? With a few months left to go and heavy hitters like Black Myth: Wukong on the horizon, it’s tough to tell. However, for my money, Dragon’s Dogma 2 remains a singular experience in a year filled with what has felt like more of the same. It’s not the prettiest title on the planet, it launched with some performance hiccups, and it makes it pretty clear that the game isn’t desperate for you to like it. It just knows that if you do, you’re probably going to love it.
From its unique approach to modern, big-budget gaming, to its snappy, fun combat that’s full of fun combinations, abilities, and character builds, there are a lot of reasons to like this game. I also appreciate that enemies hit hard and poor preparation means that even the lowliest of mobs can take you out if you get too cocky or push your party too hard. Of course, gaming is subjective, and sometimes, players don’t enjoy all the quirks and oddities that this title has on display.
For the rest of us, these quirks are precisely why we love Dragon’s Dogma and its sequel. Both games reward planning, preparation, character maintenance, and experimentation. If you’re struggling to get through nighttime mobs around Bakbattahl, for instance, maybe you need to top off on lantern fuel, switch pawns out of your party, and spend Discipline to unlock stronger skills. When you’re running up against a tough enemy, maybe you should swap to a completely different Vocation to see if a new skill set will help you fell your foe more efficiently. If you’re an action RPG fan or you want an old-school game in modern trappings, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.
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