Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the much-awaited sequel to the cult classic Dragon’s Dogma that first debuted in 2012. During my recent visit to the Capcom offices for the Tokyo Game Show showcase, I had the pleasure of getting my hands on the demo featuring three vocation classes: Archer, Fighter, and Thief. As a new player to the series, I was excited to experience the game’s unique blend of medieval fantasy and action RPG elements.
In Dragon’s Dogma 2, you assume the role of the Arisen, a mighty warrior selected to fight the menacing dragon that threatens the land. Although the game is primarily a single-player experience, you will have AI companions called Pawns that will accompany you on your journey. Your party will consist of your custom Pawn and two others that can be recruited from other players or offline. Building a balanced party is crucial to your success in the game.
As the Arisen, you will have the opportunity to select from various Vocations such as Fighter, Archer, Mage, or Thief, each of which will have a unique playstyle. You can visit the Vocation Guild at any time to change your Vocation and unlock new ones as you progress through the game. Recently, Capcom announced two new vocations – the Magick Archer and Mystic Spearhand – which promise to add even more depth to the already rich gameplay.
During my gameplay session, I had the chance to experiment with different Vocations such as Archer and Fighter. I enjoyed playing as the Archer class the most because of its ability to attack enemies from a distance, especially airborne ones. The Archer’s special abilities such as the charged focus shot proved to be a great asset in defeating stronger enemies. Additionally, I used bursts of arrows to control groups of enemies. On the other hand, the Fighter class required a different approach. In one scenario, I fought a powerful Griffin on a nearby farm and was able to climb on its back and attack it directly. However, I had to be careful not to run out of stamina and health as the Griffin took off in the air, leaving me with no safe ground to land on.
The world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is split between two nations: Vermund and Battahl. Vermund is the kingdom of humanity and has predominantly green lands with a heavily guarded capital city, while Battahl is the land of the beastren and features steep canyons and ancient ruins. As you explore the world, you’ll encounter NPCs who may provide information about the area you’re in or approach you with a quest.
The day and night cycle in the game is persistent, with new and difficult enemies to fight during the night. You can seek refuge at a campsite using a kit to pass the time and cook food to replenish your health. The vast environments, quests, and passage of time make the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 feel very alive and dynamic, and I can’t wait to spend more time with it in the future.
Overall, Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks like a fantastic sequel to the cult classic Dragon’s Dogma. I’m eagerly waiting for its release on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Steam for PC. For more information about Dragon’s Dogma 2, check out the 9-minute gameplay deep dive from Tokyo Game Show 2023.
