Dragon's Dogma 2[a][b] is a 2024 action role-playing video game developed and published by Capcom. The sequel to Dragon's Dogma (2012), the game is set in a fantasy-themed world parallel to the first game. Players control a customizable character through the game's open world while hunting a dragon that chose them as the "Arisen" amid a geopolitical conflict by completing quests and gaining new equipment on the way with the aid of allies known as "Pawns".[1]
Dragon's Dogma 2 was released for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on March 22, 2024. The game received generally positive reviews from critics and sold 3 million units by May 2024.
Gameplay
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an action role-playing game played from a third-person perspective.[2] The player takes on the role of a character called the "Arisen", a hero marked by a dragon whom they must defeat. The player explores the world they live in, taking on quests, and fighting monsters, while being caught up in a geopolitical conflict between two kingdoms. To assist in this, the Arisen relies on allies called "Pawns", non-playable characters who join the player's party. These characters are AI-controlled, but function like player-controlled avatars, able to assist in fights, provide information on enemies, and give guidance to active quests. Players can each create and customize their avatar and their own Pawn character with different genders, appearances, and race. In addition, players can recruit two additional Pawns that have been created by other players.[3]
Both the Arisen and Pawns each operate under a "vocation" – a class that defines what abilities and equipment they can use in combat, with different strengths and weaknesses. Vocations are split between basic, advanced and hybrid, the latter only accessible to the Arisen; furthermore, only the Arisen and their Pawn can change vocations. The game features several different vocations to choose from; several from Dragon's Dogma make a return, whilst Strider and Ranger have been changed to Thief and Archer respectively. New hybrid vocations are included, including Mystic Spearhand, a variation of Mystic Knight, with characters able to utilize a bladed quarterstaff-like weapon called a duospear, and the Trickster, who uses spells that can confuse enemies and enhance Pawns in battle.[4] Working with vocations improves them, unlocking additional abilities that can be acquired for use in combat.
Dragon's Dogma 2 is set in a seamless open world that is four times larger than the map in the first game,[5] and is a parallel world to that of the previous title. The world is split between two major kingdoms, Vermund and Battahl,[4] populated with humans, the catlike beastrens, and elves. Fast travel is available through ferrystones and oxcarts, with Dragon's Dogma 2 allowing players to set up camps at night at campsites around the game world. Emergent events may occur, forcing players to react and adapt,[6] such as making use of destructible environments to defeat enemies, with a day–night cycle that impacts what creatures are encountered and how strong they are.[7]
Development
Dragon's Dogma 2 is directed by Hideaki Itsuno. One of the main goals for the team was to introduce improvements to the gameplay mechanics of its predecessor, and include features that were cut due to technology not being readily available at the time. As a result, Itsuno added that "the sequel may not include as many things that feel completely new or different, but will be more polished and enhanced in order to achieve a more immersive RPG and action adventure for the player".[8] For instance, the team had written more dialogue for the pawns to address feedback from players. The game world is inspired by medieval Mediterranean Europe, in particular Sicily between the classical and Western medieval world for the human region; the feline region is inspired by the territories of the Arab Mediterranean world. According to Itsuno, the team was inspired by Grand Theft Auto V while creating the world and emergent gameplay.[9]
Release
Dragon's Dogma 2 was announced by Capcom in June 2022.[10] It was revealed with a trailer at the 2023 PlayStation Showcase in May 2023.[11] A Dragon's Dogma 2 showcase was held in November 2023, which announced that game would release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S on March 22, 2024.[12]
The game was praised for refining its predecessor's gameplay,[19][24] its dynamic and dense game world, and emergent narrative.[31][22] The pawn system received attention and applause.[31][19] Criticism targeted the game's performance, low enemy variety, and poor AI for allies.[22]
The availability of microtransactions as well as optimization issues resulted in mixed reviews on Steam.[32][33][34][35]PC Gamer's Harvey Randall called the inclusion of microtransactions "bafflingly silly", noting that many items are easily acquired just by playing the game.[36]IGN's review thought that their presence in a single-player game was frustrating but did not affect their overall opinion of Dragon's Dogma 2.[22]
Sales
In Japan, Dragon's Dogma 2 sold 68,592 units during its first week, making it the second best-selling game behind Princess Peach: Showtime!.[37]Dragon's Dogma 2 had sold 2.5 million units worldwide by April 2, 2024.[38][39] The game had sold 3 million units by May 28, 2024.[40]
Accolades
The game won the Award for Excellence at the Japan Game Awards 2024. The Selection Committee praised the game for "exploration elements unique to the open world and a high degree of freedom".
