On March 22, 2024, three major games are set for release: “Rise of the Ronin,” Sony’s upcoming PS5 exclusive; “Princess Peach Showtime” for Nintendo Switch platformer enthusiasts; and Capcom’s long-awaited “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” which follows a twelve-year gap since its predecessor. These titles will debut simultaneously, coinciding with the end of the fiscal year on March 31st, potentially leading to supply challenges, yet each game appeals to distinct player demographics. This article focuses on “Dragon’s Dogma 2,” following our recent extended hands-on session with the final version of the game. Compared to the Tokyo Game Show 2023 demo from six months prior, this iteration introduced several new elements. While there may have been some negative reviews circulating about the game, it is important to note that “Dragon’s Dogma 2” still appears promising despite its imperfections. We anticipate enjoying it regardless of any remaining issues.
With Dragon’s Dogma 2, Capcom aims to deviate from established formulas and stay more current, potentially unsettling players. Similar to Ubisoft’s Avatar, which places players in the lush wilderness of Pandora, here exploration of an open world is essential. Players must be willing to venture down seemingly inaccessible paths, as it seems almost possible to go anywhere. By slightly obscuring the clear paths, Capcom makes exploration feel more natural and organic, thereby enhancing its appeal. However, managing a stamina gauge could prove frustrating for some players. Like in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, our character cannot sprint freely nor indefinitely lock onto enemies; all actions are governed by this limited stamina system, which is central to the gameplay mechanics. It is expected that the stamina gauge can be improved during the game’s progression, but it is also likely to cause frustration for certain players. We will have to wait until the release date to see how these elements play out.
In the meantime, as this open world aims to be less directive, offering no guidance whatsoever, we have had the opportunity to test it comprehensively through a mission that required our observational skills and some wit. At one point, we are asked to travel to a region called Battahl, which is inaccessible without a pass. The catch is that only Leonin are permitted to cross the barrier to enter this region. There are several ways to circumvent this issue, but it is up to the player to scan the surroundings and find a way to gain acceptance. You will undoubtedly spend time devising a solution, but if you are observant and inquisitive, you could hide in a cart to deceive guards or visit a specific village shop to purchase a Leonin mask and assume their identity. Similarly, in another mission, such as rescuing a young boy, you must find the right NPC to speak with for clues about the missing person’s location. This NPC wanders the city and will take several minutes to locate. From this, we can deduce that every conversation with an NPC holds significance, knowing some will approach you directly, initiating a dialogue. In this way, players can gather information to progress in missions, acquire new quests, or simply find their way. We are aware that leaving the player entirely free, or even lost, may not appeal to everyone, as seen with Ubisoft’s Avatar game. However, after two decades of guided open-world experiences, it is challenging to navigate without assistance… but we will surely manage, without a doubt.
In the same vein, fast travel in Dragon’s Dogma 2 has been limited to encourage exploration and maintain an organic open-world experience. Players will not be able to quickly travel between points A and B like in typical open worlds by unlocking fast travel points. Instead, a stroll through Dragon’s Dogma 2’s open world should be a challenge or even a survival mission, integral to the gameplay experience. Along the way, encounters with groups of trolls, wolves, or cyclopes are inevitable, and each confrontation shapes the player’s gaming experience. This is why Hideaki Itsuno, the game director, decided to retain a feature from the first Dragon’s Dogma that not everyone appreciated: only one waypoint can be placed at a chosen location on the map, which must be activated using a magical stone. Without the stone, teleportation won’t be possible. Some may see this as a step backward, while others understand this game design choice, consistent with Capcom’s organic vision. The Japanese publisher aims not to make things easier for players, and the ferocity of even mundane enemies proves that the game’s steep difficulty is part of Capcom’s desire to surprise or, at times, frustrate players. This is where mastering one’s character abilities becomes crucial, chosen according to their class. The gameplay in Dragon’s Dogma 2 incorporates elements from Zelda, Elden Ring, and Shadow of the Colossus, including weaponry, magic spells, powers, and the ability to latch onto imposing enemies.
Similarly, managing your team will be crucial, and once again, you will need to recruit allies that allow you to progress smoothly through the adventure. Everything must be balanced, as confrontations cannot be undertaken solo, or you risk ending up in a chaotic situation quickly. This is even more true during different times of the day, as at night, you encounter different, often more aggressive enemies due to reduced visibility, unless you have fire with you. Promising in its open world and gameplay, provided you adhere to the proposal, Dragon’s Dogma 2 also has strong arguments in terms of graphics. The game is generally appealing, with a solid Japan/Western design aesthetic. This hasn’t changed since we last saw the game, and we hope that the open world will offer varied biomes for our journey. However, there is disappointment regarding the technical aspects. During our play session on PS5, we noticed significant frame rate drops during certain sections, especially when massive, imposing enemies suddenly appear. Despite its expertise, Capcom may need more powerful hardware to run its game using the RE Engine.
On March 22, 2024, three notable games are scheduled for release: Rise of the Ronin (PS5 exclusive), Princess Peach Showtime (Nintendo Switch), and Dragon’s Dogma 2 by Capcom, returning after a 12-year hiatus. This article focuses on Dragon’s Dogma 2, which features an open world design that encourages exploration rather than direct guidance. Players must manage their stamina to navigate the environment and interact with it effectively. The game emphasizes organic gameplay, offering limited fast travel options to enhance immersion and challenge players to engage strategically with enemies and manage their team of pawns. While the graphics are visually appealing, there have been reports of performance issues on PS5, such as frame rate drops when encountering large enemies. Despite these potential frustrations for players accustomed to more linear gameplay experiences, Dragon’s Dogma 2 holds promise for those who appreciate a more open-ended approach to gaming.
