Dragon’s Dogma 2 Preview: A Nostalgic Journey into Mythological Fantasy

We step into the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 to battle beasts and explore classic RPG charm.

In our early look at Dragon’s Dogma 2, one thing became clear from the start: this game isn’t attempting a dramatic departure from its RPG roots. Instead of diving into the contemporary trend of romantic adventures, Dragon’s Dogma 2 offers a delightful return to old-school RPG simplicity, filled with thrilling monster hunts in a fantastical realm. With the release date still ahead, my experience with the game so far promises an enchanting journey that harks back to the days when RPGs were all about clear-cut heroics – and as a fan of the original 2012 title, that’s exactly what I was hoping for.

The Dragon’s Dogma 2 build I played was more of a sandbox than a comprehensive slice of the full game, so any insights into the storyline were missing. I began by selecting the fighter class from among three preset options, adopting the persona of a Beastren, a new cat-like race introduced in this installment. With three trusty pawn companions by my side, pointing out treasures and rare materials while warning me about the risk of getting overburdened, my journey was set in motion.

As I ventured forth, I encountered goblins and monsters, learning to wield my sword and shield with techniques that could be equipped at the campsite. One such skill allowed my fighter to perform a nimble somersault, ideal for taking down airborne foes like harpies. Soon, I faced a formidable challenge in the form of a massive ogre, covered head to toe in black fur. To deal with this hulking creature, I had to climb atop it, reminiscent of a novice jockey trying to mount a restless thoroughbred. The grappling mechanic felt more consistent than in the first game, making the encounter engaging and thrilling. After a fierce struggle, my feline fighter managed to plunge a sword into the ogre’s neck, and the beast succumbed to its injuries.

Just like its predecessor, Dragon’s Dogma 2 retains its ominous atmosphere, especially when unprepared. At one point, I found myself without a lantern as dusk fell, adding an element of tension to the adventure. During a previous battle, one of my pawn companions, a thief-class character, had taken such a beating that their maximum health had significantly dwindled. While these elements aren’t groundbreaking, they contribute to the game’s classic RPG feel, avoiding the complexity of some other RPGs’ mechanics like D&D’s spell slot recovery.

My journey continued without many surprises, aside from being serenaded by persistent harpies. However, things took an exciting turn when I descended into a valley near a town and caught the attention of a minotaur. This enormous creature required all of my party’s abilities to bring down. It thrashed about like a mechanical bull, making it challenging to mount for a decisive blow. Although I eventually triumphed over the minotaur, I realized that reviving fallen pawns now took time, adding another layer of strategy to battles.

As my demo came to a close, I learned about a griffin in the vicinity. While I spotted the majestic creature menacing a farmer’s livestock, it swiftly fled when I approached, leaving me eager to explore more in the future. Others had encountered the griffin but quickly realized its formidable attacks were lethal to anyone who dared to challenge it.

In this early showcase of Dragon’s Dogma 2, it’s challenging to discern significant differences from the original game. Nevertheless, the sequel presents a visually enhanced, less glitchy, and intriguing new race of cat-like beings. Given that this was a preliminary build, it’s highly likely that new gameplay mechanics, character classes, and adversaries will be revealed in the upcoming months. Yet, my initial experience with Dragon’s Dogma 2 reaffirms the series’ distinctive old-school charm within the action RPG genre, and that’s exactly what fans could hope for.