Dragon's Dogma 2 (PlayStation 5)

The game arrived quickly, well packaged and undamaged. It is an easy game to learn the basics and is a combination of linear and open world with you being able to add side quests. A good point is that if you take on too many quests passing time might mean you can't complete then all thereby leaving you to consider how many you should take on at one time. Good graphics and an interesting story make it a fun game.

To preface this - I am reviewing the PS5 version of this in March 2025. I know there were a lot of technical issues at launch - and to be fair it was quite expensive out of the gate. At the time of writing I picked this up for half it's original retail price ("the Arisen is ever prudent in the application of coin"). I played the original Dragon's Dogma on PS3. And then on PC. Oh, and Xbox One. Switch too. Point being, whenever I saw it cheap I picked it up. I loved the idea of it - but could never stick with it. The gameplay was fun but lacking something; I'd put in a few hours then move on. On the surface of it - DD2 is pretty much the same. It's just things seem to have been tightened a little. I'm no expert but I just find this a lot more engaging somehow. It's still a 'sort-of' ARPG but with more story beats. Think Arcania, Two Worlds, Gothic etc. but with a bit more pizazz (the jank is still there though!). Visually this is a mixed bag. I really struggled to see much benefit on "graphics mode" - raytracing didn't add much. I've stuck to performance ever since with its "well, I'll aim for 60FPS" intentions. Scenery can be quite flat - but there are also some stunning vistas. Characters look great to downright bizarre (especially facial animations). The one exception is the character generator. I'm not normally one to bother too much with these but this is quite frankly stunning (depending on how realistic you make your character of course!). I spent way too much time making "we have Christina Hendricks at home". In game representations of your design are fair if a little basic; cutscenes look a lot better. This is one "big" game that I will stick with.

This game has a number of rough edges, and some of its design features are quirky to the point of being irritating. Also, the voice acting is rather wooden, and the companions - pawns - only have a limit number of things to say. The side quests are underwhelming, especially the ones where you can try to escort someone across acres of map for a paltry reward. And I found myself sucked into the final boss fight, which was a tad disappointing, without really meaning to - and well before I had explored everything and unlocked all the classes. For all that, I really enjoyed the game. It's immensely playable, and the world map is huge, with tons to explore. The deliberate constraints, such as the inability to save-scum, or to fast travel at will, pose interesting problems to solve. And the different classes (the ones I've so far seen) have a fascinating array of different mechanics and tactics to master. I felt it was a game that respected the player, and I shall be going back for more.

At first I wasn't a fan - I ended up gravitating towards more instant thrill games - Helldivers 2 etc. Capcom don't hold your hand with this game, but persevere and now I'm hooked. I love the fact that you hire a couple extra non-playable characters that are leased by other players - called pawns and the missions don't feel like monotonous like other open world games - go here, collect this and report back etc., although they are in essence. The graphics are beautiful, the world is very well designed, and the day/night cycle and the different enemies and challenges this brings are very cool. DD2 is a sleeper hit - has substance, style and decent action/combat - give it a try even if it's not usually your sort of game - you might just be surprised

Excellent game especially at this knock down price.

Stupendo cosa che non ti aspetti guardando i gameplay in giro

Me encantó el juego, llegó en buen estado, lo único que daría de comentarios es que ya no ponen algún panfleto o folleto artístico como antes en el empaque

Très bon jeu, mais c'est la version autrichienne que j'ai reçu Il me semblait pas avoir vu ça dans la description au moment de faire mon achat, où du moins je trouve ça trompeur que ce soit pas affiché plus clairement dans le titre.

Great game

Exelente producto a muy buen precio