Dragon's Dogma 2

67%
Game Brain Score Based on 39,148 reviews
  • optimization
  • story
  • gameplay
Dragon's Dogma 2 Game Cover
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an action RPG with a heavy emphasis on combat that is both thrilling and entertaining.
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Dragon's Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG that challenges players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more.On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your…

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Reviews

67%
Audience ScoreBased on 39,148 reviews
story2,410 positive mentions
optimization4,035 negative mentions
  • optimization15,745 mentions

    The optimization of "Dragon's Dogma 2" has received significant criticism, with many players reporting severe performance issues, particularly in densely populated areas like cities, where frame rates can drop dramatically. While some users with high-end rigs have managed to achieve stable performance, the overall consensus is that the game is poorly optimized, leading to a frustrating experience for those with mid-range or older hardware. Despite recent patches aimed at improving performance, many players still recommend waiting for further updates before purchasing the game.

    • “I'm glad to say that the optimization issues are good now; even with an RTX 3060 Ti, I didn't expect it to run at 60 FPS.”
    • “Even now, I can see that Capcom has not abandoned this game and is pushing optimization updates to cater to players that complain about performance.”
    • “The complaints about performance at launch were legitimate, but they've done a lot of work on the game since then, and it seems to run very well now.”
    • “The audacity to charge what they charge for a poorly optimized game that barely runs on a machine that is well above their minimum specs is an insult.”
    • “The game's optimization is utter garbage.”
    • “It has some of the worst optimization and performance issues I've ever come across, and there are no fixes that I can find online that make it any better.”
  • story13,202 mentions

    The story in "Dragon's Dogma 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it lacking in depth and coherence compared to its predecessor. While some appreciate the exploration and combat mechanics, they criticize the main narrative for being short, disjointed, and filled with repetitive fetch and escort quests that fail to engage players meaningfully. Overall, the game is seen as a fun experience for combat and exploration, but those seeking a compelling story may be disappointed.

    • “The story starts off strong when the world and the story still feels like it's brimming with possibilities.”
    • “The main story is engaging, with a compelling narrative, and the majority of side quests offer enjoyable and worthwhile gameplay.”
    • “The story is enchanting and keeps one entertained while playing, also well engaged during quests with your own pawns and others helping to mark special places on the map, or guide you to something you might overlook while trying to line-drive to the quest destination.”
    • “The story is bland, the relations with characters are honestly meaningless, the missions are boring, and post-game content is non-existent.”
    • “The story is a mess, and it is irremediably filled with the most NPCs that ever NPCed.”
    • “The main story is a bit lackluster, but the side quests are quite fun.”
  • gameplay6,314 mentions

    The gameplay of "Dragon's Dogma 2" has received mixed reviews, with many praising its engaging combat mechanics and the unique pawn system that enhances the experience. However, players have expressed frustration over repetitive quests, a lack of enemy variety, and the controversial "dragonsplague" mechanic that can lead to significant setbacks in gameplay. While the core mechanics and exploration are enjoyable, the game suffers from performance issues and design choices that detract from the overall experience, leading to a consensus that it may not be worth the full price for some players.

    • “The gameplay is fun and addictive, with a variety of classes to choose from that keep the experience fresh.”
    • “The combat mechanics are engaging and fluid, providing a satisfying sense of control and challenge.”
    • “Dragon's Dogma 2 excels in delivering a captivating RPG experience with stunning visuals, engaging gameplay, and a rich storyline.”
    • “Meh - I really enjoy the combat and items and skills, but the quests that make you just wait around or sneak/stealth quests with absolutely no stealth mechanics.”
    • “The gameplay loop is insultingly repetitive.”
    • “The gameplay is boring, too easy and the pawns never shut up and are always up in your face.”
  • monetization4,726 mentions

    The monetization aspect of "Dragon's Dogma 2" has sparked significant controversy among players, primarily due to the presence of microtransactions in a full-priced single-player game. While many reviews criticize these microtransactions as unnecessary and indicative of corporate greed, a substantial number of players note that all items available for purchase can be easily obtained through regular gameplay, rendering the microtransactions largely ignorable. Overall, the sentiment is mixed, with some players expressing frustration over the monetization model while others emphasize that it does not detract from the core gaming experience.

    • “Despite the controversy surrounding microtransactions, dragon's dogma 2 remains a must-play title for both veterans of the original and newcomers to the series alike.”
    • “The microtransactions are entirely optional and do not impact gameplay, allowing players to enjoy the full experience without feeling pressured to spend additional money.”
    • “The microtransactions are completely ignorable, just like with the other capcom titles but limiting to a single save file is something that I thought was going to be left in the past.”
    • “Microtransactions in a single player game priced at $70 are unacceptable.”
    • “The microtransactions are a complete non-issue; everything can be obtained in-game without spending real money.”
    • “The presence of microtransactions in a single-player game feels like an unnecessary and greedy move from the developers.”
  • graphics3,951 mentions

    The graphics of "Dragon's Dogma 2" have received mixed reviews, with many players praising the stunning visuals and attention to detail, particularly in character creation and environmental design. However, significant concerns have been raised regarding performance issues, especially in densely populated areas, where frame rates can drop dramatically even on high-end systems. Overall, while the graphics are considered a major improvement over the first game, the optimization problems detract from the experience, leading to frustration among players.

    • “The graphics are great and the overall atmosphere and attention to detail in the game are really top notch.”
    • “The graphics are beautiful as well.”
    • “The graphics are fantastic as well as the atmosphere.”
    • “It does have issues with the graphics settings; it took a lot of fiddling to get the game to stop looking blurry and not have artifacts emanate from anything that moved, and it still doesn't look like the gameplay showcases, but it's good enough for me.”
    • “The only change is a botched attempt to modernize the graphics, fewer bosses, and a lot less endgame content.”
    • “The graphics are already buggy and terrible with strange texture deformations; on top of that, you get 30 fps at the first spot with more than 10 NPCs in a fast-paced action game and occasional freezes with 16 GB VRAM and 64 GB RAM and 5800X3D.”
  • stability826 mentions

    The stability of the game has received mixed reviews, with many players reporting significant bugs, crashes, and performance issues, particularly in populated areas. While some users have experienced smooth gameplay on high-end systems, others have faced frequent freezes and glitches that hinder progress, leading to frustration and calls for optimization. Overall, the game appears to be in a rough state, with many recommending waiting for patches before purchasing.

    • “Despite what many people write here, I haven't had a single performance issue in 100 hours of playing. No crashes, no frame drops in the capital; it runs great on my PC and I don't have a 4090!”
    • “The game runs great on my system, don't get all the negativity from everyone.”
    • “The game is excellent, pretty bug-free, and one of the most stable releases I've seen this year.”
    • “Vast majority of my playtime has been spent troubleshooting on and off since launch.”
    • “This game freezes constantly and I have reached a point where I cannot even get it to load my save without it freezing.”
    • “The game is a buggy mess, it has offensive microtransactions, and worst of all it feels like a genuine chore to play.”
  • grinding714 mentions

    The reviews highlight a significant divide in player experiences regarding grinding in the game. Many players find the frequent enemy encounters and lack of fast travel options to be tedious, leading to a sense of frustration during exploration and questing. While some appreciate the grind as a means of character development and resource gathering, others criticize it as excessive and poorly designed, suggesting that it detracts from overall enjoyment and immersion. The presence of microtransactions intended to alleviate some of this grind has also sparked debate, with some players feeling it undermines the game's integrity.

    • “You absolutely don't have to spend any money on the DLC items; everything can be earned by just playing the game, and it isn't really tedious to obtain the items.”
    • “You can get everything you need in-game with little to no grinding, and there are other systems in place that make it very easy to never want them.”
    • “No grinding needed.”
    • “Enemies spawn so frequently that if you walk from point A to B, you get into endless fights, which is just tedious and makes adventuring annoying.”
    • “The traveling is also very tedious since you walk for like 50 seconds, fight a troll, fight the hordes of goblins that came along with it, fight more goblins 5 seconds later, encounter a dragon, maybe beat it, then there's a minotaur waiting for you a few feet away.”
    • “The game becomes tedious in the latter half, and you just want to be done with it by the end.”
  • music690 mentions

    The music in "Dragon's Dogma 2" has received mixed reviews, with many players noting that while the soundtrack is generally good, it lacks the memorable quality of the original game's music. Some praise the dynamic combat music that enhances the intensity of battles, but others criticize the overall score as generic and forgettable, often feeling repetitive over time. Additionally, the inclusion of a paid DLC for the original soundtrack highlights a perceived shortfall in the new game's musical offerings, leading to a sentiment that the music could have been more impactful and varied.

    • “Incredible soundtrack in both games.”
    • “The music and sound effects are very solid, they fit the atmosphere and convey emotions.”
    • “The soundtrack complements the epic scale of the adventure, while the ambient sounds of the world enhance the sense of immersion.”
    • “The music is so forgettable that I would actually recommend dropping a measly $3 to import the DD1 soundtrack, which is vastly more emotive and enjoyable.”
    • “The music is worse too.”
    • “The only thing missing for me is 'Into Free' as the main menu music, and honestly it should be the idle, traveling, and combat music too.”
  • humor503 mentions

    The humor in "Dragon's Dogma 2" is a standout feature, characterized by the unpredictable antics of the AI-controlled pawns and the game's ragdoll physics, which often lead to hilarious and chaotic moments during combat. Players frequently mention the amusing dialogue and interactions between pawns, as well as the absurdity of certain gameplay mechanics, such as characters jumping off cliffs or engaging in slapstick-style mishaps. Overall, the game successfully blends humor with its fantasy elements, creating a lighthearted experience that keeps players entertained despite some frustrations with AI behavior and quest design.

    • “The amount of unexpected and dynamic epic/funny/awesome moments you will get out of this game is seemingly endless due to the intelligent AI of enemies and your pawns (your AI buddies).”
    • “The pawn system is hilarious, and the game overall is beautiful.”
    • “The explosive combat, the funny moments with enemies and pawns doing stupid things makes this game a fun experience every time I boot it up.”
    • “I loved the first game, but this is just an unfunny joke.”
    • “This is an unfunny joke.”
    • “Not cute and not funny.”
  • replayability209 mentions

    The game's replayability is a mixed bag, with many players noting a lack of significant new content or challenges in New Game Plus, leading to a sense of repetitiveness after the initial playthrough. While some appreciate the variety of vocations and quest outcomes that can enhance replay value, others feel that the overall experience lacks depth and incentive for multiple runs, particularly due to minimal difficulty scaling and a disappointing endgame. Overall, opinions range from high replayability for those who enjoy experimenting with different builds to a stark lack of replay value for players who have completed the game once.

    • “The ability to share pawns online and use others’ creations adds a communal aspect to the game that enhances replayability.”
    • “Every quest offers more than one resolution possible and the thought process you can give to them adds to the replayability.”
    • “The variety of vocations and character builds keeps the action fresh, offering immense replayability.”
    • “No replay value if you've already done/got/seen everything (no real post-game loop, no real build variation, minimal difficulty at end-game).”
    • “After 100 hours, I have no reason to go back and play this game as it has little to no replay value at all.”
    • “The original Dragon's Dogma is easily one of my top five favorite games of all time, but this one doesn't really make the cut due to how bland new game plus is, and how it ultimately kills the replayability of the game.”
  • emotional184 mentions

    The emotional aspect of the game elicits mixed responses from players. While some express a deep connection to their pawns and find moments of genuine emotional impact, particularly in the true ending, many criticize the overall storytelling as shallow and lacking depth, leading to a disconnection from the characters and narrative. The game's potential for emotional engagement is often overshadowed by performance issues and a perceived lack of meaningful character development.

    • “In combination with the character creator, the pawns in this game are to die for and will lead to a lot of fun, emotional, and challenging moments.”
    • “The true ending was such an amazing way to end this awesome adventure, so emotional and philosophical too!”
    • “The journey you make with your main pawn and pawns of others is honestly wholesome, helpful, and frustratingly good all wrapped into one.”
    • “Terrible performance (3080 RTX) and a horrible, extremely boring story that is just basic 'kill god' JRPG slop, and that is only if you pay attention.”
    • “Cons: truly the most pathetic boring story of any game I've ever played.”
    • “Incredibly boring story and the game runs poorly.”
  • atmosphere154 mentions

    The atmosphere of the game is widely praised for its stunning graphics, immersive environments, and dynamic weather effects that enhance exploration. Players appreciate the detailed landscapes, atmospheric sound design, and music that contribute to a captivating experience, although some critiques mention a lack of vibrancy in certain areas. Overall, the game successfully evokes a rich and engaging atmosphere that draws players into its world, making exploration a rewarding endeavor.

    • “Exploring dense forests, rugged cliffs, and sunlit coastlines is visually pleasing, thanks to dynamic weather effects and atmospheric lighting that enhance immersion.”
    • “The attention to detail in Dragon's Dogma 2 is truly commendable, with breathtaking landscapes, intricate character designs, and atmospheric soundscapes that transport players to a world brimming with wonder and peril.”
    • “The atmosphere is the same old Dragon's Dogma that we loved so much, only with updated visuals.”
    • “However, it also feels dead and robotic, lacking the vibrant and dynamic atmosphere that brings a game world to life.”
    • “No epic fight music, no melancholic exploration music - atmosphere is just completely dead.”
    • “The general atmosphere feels lacklustre and empty.”
  • character development72 mentions

    Character development in Dragon's Dogma 2 has received mixed reviews, with many players noting a lack of depth and engagement in the narrative and NPC interactions. While the character design and customization options are praised for their robustness and creativity, the overall story and character arcs are often described as shallow and forgettable, leaving players wanting more meaningful connections and development throughout the game. Despite its visual and gameplay strengths, the game's character development is seen as a significant drawback, with many reviewers expressing disappointment in the missed opportunities for richer storytelling.

    • “The character development, story, plot, and way you interact with the environment is superb.”
    • “As a ham-thieving cat archaeologist who enjoys beautiful graphics, a rich character development system, tons of gear and options, great character creation, unique quirks not found in any other game, and an amazing, giant, detail-oriented open world that's brimming with secrets in every corner, I give this a definite recommend.”
    • “Overall, I'd still recommend this game; the combat is fun, character development is enjoyable, the story is passable, graphics are decent, and it's likely to give quite a few hours of enjoyment to most people who play it.”
    • “Characters are introduced and forgotten very quickly, and any time you start to think you are getting into some part of a story through cutscenes or basic character development, you find out that was the last quest involving that character.”
    • “Unfortunately, even after 12 years of development, Capcom decided to leave all the bad parts of the first one in the game, which is wild to me because these are incredibly easy fixes.”
    • “Zero character development and most people you meet become forgettable.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

84% average critic score

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Play time

14hMedian play time
31hAverage play time
5-49hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 714 analyzed playthroughs

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