Much more to see and do in fiery fantasy remake
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Xbox Series. Also on PS5, PC
BACK in 2012, when the venerable Dark Souls was not long out, Capcom released a similarly themed RPG – a Western-styled fantasy adventure as seen through the lens of Japan.
Capcom’s approach was more open and flexible – though flawed – with its combat and Pawn system proving particularly compelling, cementing it as a cult favourite.
Twelve years later and an unexpected sequel has arrived, carrying the same torch the first game lit.
It’s an open-world fantasy RPG, full of goblins, harpies and minotaurs, with the same satisfying combat and unique Pawn system.
At times it feels more like a remake than a sequel but the world is new and there’s so much more to see and do.
Once again, you are Arisen, an ill-fated hero who had their heart consumed by a dragon, with the power to command Pawns.
A Pawn is a character you can create who’ll accompany you on your adventures.
You can also hire other playercreated Pawns over an online system, lending yours out too. It’s a neat system that adds a lot of character to the game.
The plot itself is fairly light but It’s primarily a game about exploration and hitting monsters on the head, which it excels at.
You can freely switch between classes, gaining powers from each, while Capcom’s heritage in monster-hitting really shines through.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 bucks a lot of trends in open world games, refusing to hold your hand and limiting fast travel so that you fully immerse yourself in the detailed world they’ve built.
For some that may be a frustration but for others its pure joy.