Dragon's Dogma

68%
Game Brain Score Based on 100 reviews
  • gameplay
  • story
  • monetization
Dragon's Dogma Game Cover
When Dragon's Dogma is at its high, it gives you an experience like no other RPG before it, but when you come face to face with its shortcomings, you'd wish the game was designed better.
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"Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen" is an action-packed RPG set in a vast open world, where players adventure with AI companions called Pawns. These Pawns learn and grow based on player interaction, and can be shared online for rewards. The game features strategic combat and co-op elements, with Pawns providing valuable assistance in battles against formidable enemies.

  • Play​Station
  • Play​station 3
  • Xbox
  • Xbox 360
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

68%
Audience ScoreBased on 100 reviews
gameplay8 positive mentions
story5 negative mentions
  • Recaptures the charm of the first game while adding new features and improvements.
  • The pawn system has been enhanced, making AI companions feel more like true allies.
  • The game offers a vast world to explore with a variety of character classes and customization options.
  • Performance issues, including frame rate drops and technical glitches, detract from the experience.
  • The game features microtransactions that some players feel are unnecessary and detract from the overall value.
  • Limited fast travel options and a cumbersome inventory system can lead to frustrating gameplay.
  • gameplay31 mentions

    Dragons Dogma 2 offers a blend of old-school RPG mechanics and modern gameplay elements, featuring a challenging combat system that requires players to manage weight, stamina, and character loadouts. The pawn system and character creation are standout features, enhancing immersion and personalization, while the game maintains a unique charm despite some frustrating camera issues and slow-paced exploration. Overall, the gameplay is engaging and addictive, appealing to fans of action RPGs, though it may not suit younger players due to its complexity and content.

    • “Gameplay: if you like Elden Ring blended with Monster Hunter and a touch of Devil May Cry, then this game will feel excellent for you.”
    • “I’m blown away by the addicting gameplay and the pawn system!”
    • “It's all the little immersive details and touches in the gameplay that really stand out for me.”
    • “Presumably because the scope was so large in those end game battles, my camera kept getting swung into walls, impenetrable fog, the enemy's body, etc. It made for incredibly frustrating gameplay.”
    • “No loot, no XP, nothing; terrible mechanic, especially early game.”
    • “Gameplay is somewhat mediocre.”
  • story31 mentions

    The story in the game has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it basic and lacking depth, often reduced to repetitive fetch quests and combat tasks. While some appreciate the engaging palace intrigue and character interactions, others criticize the numerous bugs and quest-breaking issues that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the narrative feels underdeveloped compared to its predecessor, leaving players wanting more compelling storytelling and character development.

    • “It's fun to explore the world, which feels more vast than the first, has an extensive character creator, several quests to undertake, an ox cart system to get to and from settlements more quickly, and opportunities to try out several different vocations and their abilities.”
    • “The story, which centers on palace intrigue, is engaging and replete with compelling characters.”
    • “The story is also...like the original, which if you've beaten the original, you'll understand that the story will be similar in every iteration of this series...it has to be.”
    • “Its a very basic RPG with almost no story, balance, or purpose.”
    • “The story is non-existent; enemies are just reskins of others and the romance is a joke.”
    • “And although I had so much fun at first, after a few days of gameplay, the repetitiveness and lack of story depth made me lose interest quickly.”
  • monetization23 mentions

    The monetization in the game features optional microtransactions that allow players to purchase items already obtainable through gameplay, which some reviewers find unnecessary but not intrusive. While there is criticism regarding the presence of these microtransactions in a full-priced game, many players report that they do not impact the overall experience or gameplay, and the prices are considered less egregious compared to other titles. Overall, the microtransactions are viewed as a minor aspect that does not detract significantly from the game's quality.

    • “Microtransactions are optional, but it's not a pay-to-win game; just for those that don't have patience.”
    • “Yes, there are microtransactions, but it's not in your face like Call of Duty or Fortnite.”
    • “The microtransactions here are (1) items that you get with the deluxe pre-order, only they're spread out (2) not connected to gameplay in any way--you have to go to a whole separate menu to find them! (3) the microtransactions are all items you find in regular gameplay anyway.”
    • “I do not condone nor endorse microtransactions for a full-priced game, so I do not care for Capcom adding these weird superfluous ones.”
    • “Yes, you can obtain these items in-game by grinding, but changing a character's appearance shouldn't have strings attached. It should cost resources that you can then pay money for in the cash shop, which by the way has over 40 dollars worth of day-one microtransactions, a lot of which are paid shortcuts—literally paying money to play less of their game.”
    • “Could have been a Game of the Year contender, but Capcom snuck in wild microtransactions after reviews came out, so no one would know before pre-orders shipped.”
  • optimization18 mentions

    The game's optimization has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant performance issues, particularly in cities, including low frame rates and character pop-in. While some users have found improvements after tweaking settings, others express frustration over the lack of a performance mode on consoles and the overall subpar optimization. Despite these challenges, a few players note that the game runs well on certain platforms, suggesting that experiences may vary based on hardware.

    • “After I did that, it was like night and day in the difference of performance. It was actually playable and didn’t hurt my eyes to look at it. I mean, the city performance is still not good, but everything else runs pretty smooth now.”
    • “The optimization is being blown way out of proportion and is a bigger deal for PC gamers that have $2k+ put into their rig.”
    • “In cities and towns, for some reason, I have noted the most significant performance drops, character pop-in, and low poly models.”
    • “I just genuinely hope they can address it in future patches and wish it had more time in the optimization oven.”
    • “Capcom really screwed up here... uncapped framerate that barely goes above 30... horrible motion blur and stuttering.”
  • graphics13 mentions

    Overall, the graphics in the game are widely praised for their high quality, with stunning environments, character models, and animations that enhance the immersive experience. While some players note minor graphical issues and express a desire for more engaging content, the visual fidelity is generally considered a standout feature, making it one of the best-looking RPGs of the year. However, a few reviews mention that the graphics may not significantly surpass those of earlier titles in the genre.

    • “Graphically, like many games Capcom makes, it looks excellent. The environments, character models, monsters, and animations are all of immensely high quality.”
    • “Graphics are incredible, and whoever modeled the cutscene for the meat being cooked at your campfire really went 120%.”
    • “I have to say, the graphics in this game are just beyond beautiful. I love the character customization and just how real everything looks!”
    • “The NPCs are uninteresting, the quest log is utterly unhelpful, games from 2015 have better graphics, and the combat is so dull.”
    • “The visuals and performance are lackluster.”
    • “Feels like a step down from the first, with the only improvement being the graphics; altogether not a bad game, but better if you haven't played the first.”
  • grinding6 mentions

    Reviews indicate that grinding in the game can be tedious, with players noting a lack of variety in enemies and a cumbersome travel system. While items can be obtained through grinding, the presence of microtransactions for shortcuts has drawn criticism, suggesting that the game encourages spending money to bypass the grind rather than rewarding players for their efforts. Overall, those averse to grinding may find the experience particularly challenging.

    • “Yes, you can obtain these items in-game by grinding, but changing a character's appearance shouldn't have strings attached. It should cost resources that you can then pay money for in the cash shop, which, by the way, has over 40 dollars worth of day-one microtransactions, a lot of which are paid shortcuts—literally paying money to play less of their game.”
    • “There is no real loot or gear or interesting drops; it’s the same 8-10 enemies varying in difficulty, and the tedious cart travel is what really did me in.”
    • “If you don't like grinding in an RPG, then this game could prove challenging.”
  • stability4 mentions

    The game's stability has received mixed feedback, with some players experiencing significant glitches that can disrupt quest lines and require reverting to earlier saves. However, others report that the game runs smoothly on the PS5, suggesting that performance may vary by platform. Overall, while some users find it bug-ridden, others appreciate its stability on specific systems.

    • “First things first, the people leaving bad reviews can have their opinions, but many of those are wrong regarding this platform, such as performance issues... it runs great on PS5.”
    • “They need to understand what platform it runs well on; it runs great on PS5.”
    • “I liked a lot about this game, but I was frustrated by how easy it was to break a quest line without being aware of it, and the number of weird glitches that forced me to go back to an inn save and replay a bunch of hours.”
    • “This game is a bug-ridden waste of time.”
  • humor1 mentions

    The humor in the game is derived from the exaggerated and stereotypical portrayal of characters, particularly the slim, large-chested blonde mages and fighters, which some players find either amusing or predictably clichéd.

    • “The number of slim, large-chested, blonde, blue-eyed girl mages (sometimes fighters) was either hilarious or exactly what you would expect (or both).”
  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game is primarily available through a sound collection DLC, which is the only form of downloadable content, and players note that the microtransactions do not create a pay-to-win scenario.

    • “The microtransactions do not make it a pay-to-win game; the only DLC content is the music and sound collection.”
    • “The microtransactions do not make it a pay-to-win game, but the music and sound collection is the only DLC content in the game.”
  • atmosphere1 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is noted for its immersive and well-crafted environment, contributing significantly to the overall experience. Reviewers highlight the effective setup that enhances the game's mood and engages players.

    • “The atmosphere is incredibly immersive, drawing you into the game's world.”
    • “Every detail contributes to a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that keeps you on edge.”
    • “The sound design and visuals create a captivating atmosphere that enhances the overall experience.”
    • “The atmosphere feels flat and uninspired, lacking any real sense of immersion.”
    • “Despite the potential, the overall ambiance is dull and fails to engage the player.”
    • “The game's atmosphere is inconsistent, often breaking the immersion with jarring transitions.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

76% average critic score

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