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Thoughts on Playing Dragon’s Dogma II

With the launch of Dragon’s Dogma II on the horizon, Capcom invited members of the media to their San Francisco office for a special hands-on preview. This was an opportunity to experience the game while also learning more about it from the Capcom team. This included an interview with its director, Hideaki Itsuno.

I had the chance to play the demo version back in September as part of Capcom’s showcase during the 2023 Tokyo Game Show. Now, I’ll be diving into a full build of Dragon’s Dogma II for the PlayStation 5. Throughout my play session, I’ll assume the roles of two new vocations while venturing on a journey. I’ll have one hour with each character as I delve into the world of Battahl.

This is a preview of Dragon’s Dogma II and should not be treated as a review. It’s a look at how it plays in its current state and how much it has improved since the last demo I played. 

Adventure as a Mystic Spearhand 

During the first part of the session, I step into the role of a Mystic Spearhand. A new vocation part of the kinetic class, they use the physical force of the environment to battle foes. My party consists of myself and three pawns, each endowed with distinctive skills and abilities.

The adventure begins outside the entrance to Battahl with a minor issue, our travel document does not match our character. Although there are several approaches to resolving this, I decide to purchase a mask that will disguise me as the individual specified on the document. Once past the gate, we embark on our journey towards the city. However, it’s a lengthy trek, and the world is teeming with adversaries obstructing our path. Immediately, we encounter goblins and bandits before facing the formidable challenge of a Griffin. Unfortunately, the Griffin fled before we could defeat it.

The journey was already challenging, but it escalated in difficulty with the arrival of nightfall. It was during this segment of our journey that my party found itself overwhelmed by a subspecies of saurians with venomous attacks. After numerous attempts to battle through the area, we tried to rest through the night. That plan fell apart as our camp was besieged by skeletons. After defeating them, we stumbled upon a temple and took refuge there until dawn.

As morning broke, we resumed our journey, only to encounter a few obstacles along the way. On one route, we stumbled upon a dragon that proved too formidable for us to overcome. Opting for an alternate path, we faced off against an ogre and a handful of goblins. Although this battle was less taxing, we still encountered our fair share of challenges as we pressed forward. Despite our progress, we found ourselves engaged in further skirmishes with goblins. However, our advancement was halted as we only reached the outskirts of the city before the session concluded.

Adventure as a Magick Archer 

During the first part of the session, I step into the role of a magick archer. This vocation is part of the archer class, they use a mix of magic and archery battle foes. My party once again consists of myself and three pawns, each endowed with distinctive skills and abilities.

The adventure commences upon our arrival in the capital of Battahl. Although the area offers numerous activities, I opted to use my session as an opportunity to explore both the city and its surroundings. Initially, I engaged with several merchants to procure essential supplies. Following this, I ventured along the coastal regions, where I unexpectedly encountered another Griffin. This encounter unfolded as a combination of skirmishing and pursuit. Eventually, I managed to corner the Griffin and deliver a decisive blow, causing it to plummet off a cliff. Whether it perished remains uncertain, as I did not witness its demise, yet its health remained at approximately 50%. I did make an attempt to locate it at the bottom of the cliff and the surrounding area but I had no luck.

At nightfall, I made my way back to the city, indulging in a bit more exploration before retiring for the night at the local inn. The following morning, we set out for the abandoned ruins located on the outskirts of the city. It was there that we encountered a Golem, its weak points concealed in the most obscure spots. Despite the intensity of the skirmish and my near victory, I was unable to defeat the Golem as the session concluded.

Final Thoughts on Dragon’s Dogma II

As a player familiar with the original Dragon’s Dogma, I immediately noticed numerous significant improvements. The accessibility to maps, character details, and items has been enhanced. This provides better organization and caters to players who prefer swift decision-making. Understanding the gameplay mechanics remains straightforward yet offers depth, requiring time to fully grasp and master. Combat revolves around the player’s vocation and weapon, fostering creativity based on the situation at hand. The pawns now demonstrate heightened responsiveness to their surroundings, adapting more effectively to the circumstances, whether it’s during moments of tranquility or amidst the chaos of battle.

The world itself presents numerous pathways, responsive to the player’s decisions. Each path harbors distinct challenges, risks, and rewards. These challenges encompass not only adversaries but also terrain obstacles that may impede or aid the journey. Moreover, players can leverage the environment as a strategic asset, employing it to vanquish or weaken enemies. It’s imperative to remain cognizant that opponents may likewise exploit the surroundings, underscoring the importance of one’s situational awareness.

Dragon’s Dogma II is the follow-up to the acclaimed RPG and will once again follow the journey of an Arisen who must slay the Dragon to prevent the end of the world. The game is set to launch for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, and the PC on March 22nd, 2024. 

8Bit/Digi is an independent media outlet that provides insight into the gamer community of the San Francisco Bay Area.