Is Dragon’s Dogma 2 a Good Game?

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is among probably the most original and wonderfully messy RPG experiences I have played in years. From the moment I was pinned to a dragon that pulled out my heart and ate it as the kingdom’s fate-chosen Arisen king, I knew what I was in for was going to be wildly different. And Dragon’s Dogma 2 certainly has that in spades with its riotous mix of medieval fantasy farce and complex, nuanced gameplay systems.

An Unorthodox Fantasy Adventure

It sounds strange, but that is alright in the wonderfully strange world of Dragon’s Dogma 2. You traverse an open world with AI-controlled pawns-player-selectable party members created by other players to fight alongside you. My pawn is the thin, pale mage Bowie with big red hair and multidimensional backstory – a perfect example of the game’s zaniness. I was a terrible fighter who always forgot to heal me when we were fighting, but I loved Bowie when we traveled together.

That’s the Dragon’s Dogma 2 experience – an engaging world full of zany, hilarious moments that stay with you through the mechanics sometimes sucking you out. Whether I was shoving a cyclops off a cliff, levitating around haunted castles as skeletons gave chase, or accidentally killing a romantic partner with an errant sword swing, I never knew what ridiculous situation I’d stumble into next. That silly, extra-large voice is a welcome respite from the self-important tone of most other fantasy RPGs.

Gameplay: Combat Depth and Open World Exploration

Under that goofy exterior, though, is a beautifully engineered core gameplay loop built around complex combat situations and character progression. The depth of Dragon’s Dogma 2’s battle system makes real time encounters with griffins, dragons, along with other huge creatures appear to be both exciting and dangerous. You are also able to freely switch between various vocations like mage, archer, or warrior at your convenience, meaning you do not ever get bored with trying new fighting styles or ability trees.

Success is more about preparation and knowledge than pure skill – properly equipping your party, managing curatives and buffs, and knowing your enemy mechanics and weaknesses. After combat starts, you’re “rolling the dice” to see how your planning paid off. The rewarding reward comes from overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds with clever loadout optimization.

The Pawn System: A Unique Multiplayer Experience

Exploring the open world is similarly rewarding – although there are some tedious design decisions to make. While confusing quest directions and lost quest maps can be frustrating at first, hanging in there undoubtedly presents one of the most unique open worlds I’ve seen. From gorgeous ancient ruins to hand-crafted environmental details, every new area feels meticulously constructed. A camping system giving you gameplay buffs while you take in the scenery is a brilliant immersion tool.

And then there are the treasures to be found – loots hidden in corners and crevices, expensive gadgets in optional areas – and asynchronous Internet access through the pawns. This shared mystery experience of community problem-solving is where Dragon’s Dogma 2 really comes to life. Hiring of pawns created by other players, collecting gear they bring back from their adventures, and discussing new game mechanics online are all clever ways to extend the experience.

Which does not mean Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a flawless masterpiece. Negative console performance, tedious inventory management, and a general lack of polish are all valid criticisms. But if you can overlook those issues, you’ll get just about the most interesting and original RPG experiences in years.

Persevering Through the Initial Challenges

The first 20-30 hours do require perseverance as you adjust to the game’s unapologetic idiosyncrasies – confusing menus, bizarre translation quirks, and repetitive enemy encounters. Stick with it, though, and you get an experience that embraces its surreal premise with remarkably fearless abandon. Those who persevere through the early challenges will be rewarded with late-game content such as new jobs, harder opponents, and genre-defying twists.

If you can stomach Dragon’s Dogma 2’s trademark quirks and are in need of a fantasy RPG like no other, I can hardly recommend this wonderfully weird adventure enough. It is not without its flaws, however – it is a remarkable experience that redefines open-world roleplaying. It keeps you guessing throughout with its ridiculous scenarios and surprisingly new mechanics of gameplay. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a cult classic that gamers who love discovering unexpectedly fun experiences off the beaten path will love.