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| Dragon's Dogma 2: An Exclusive First Look |
When Dragon's Dogma made its debut eleven years ago, it revolutionized the open-world action-RPG genre by shattering existing conventions. Its innovative Pawn system encouraged players to frequently switch AI-controlled companions from a network of creations by fellow players. Additionally, its combat mechanics centered around climbing colossal monsters to target specific weak points added a distinctive flair that remains unparalleled even today.
After an hour of gameplay with Dragon's Dogma 2, it's evident that Capcom is dedicated to building upon the unique aspects of its predecessor. They have placed significant emphasis on refining and enhancing these features. Pawns, the loyal companions, maintain their vital roles in combat and navigation, but their impact is now more apparent. Melee combat feels weightier and more impactful, while exploration in the seamlessly integrated open world offers a blend of rewards and dangers. However, after encountering the familiar lineup of goblins, cyclops, saurians, harpies, bandits, and the occasional Griffin, I couldn't help but yearn for a fresh and innovative experience in this sequel.
The demo of Dragon's Dogma 2 commenced just outside the human kingdom of Vermund, granting me the freedom to explore as I pleased. Equipped with a handful of quests, my Pawns possessed prior knowledge of these missions, allowing me to rely on their guidance instead of constantly referring to the map. While Pawns' knowledge of quests isn't new to the series, their reliability in Dragon's Dogma 2 has significantly improved. A simple press of the left D-Pad initiated a help command while outside of combat, prompting my Pawn to lead the way as I followed.
One particularly exciting interaction occurred after clearing a bandit-infested cave. Spotting a treasure chest on an elevated platform, I issued the help command, and my fighter Pawn moved closer, kneeling as if preparing to give me a boost. True to her intentions, she launched me up with the Springboard skill, allowing me to claim a rare Ferrystone.
Combat largely mirrors the original Dragon's Dogma, featuring weak and heavy attack buttons and a series of four skills accessible by holding the left bumper. A new addition is the right bumper, dedicated to the Vocation Action, providing unique actions tailored to each character's vocation. Fighters can raise their shields for defense, thieves execute a swift dodge called Swift Step, and archers gain precision aiming with Steady Shot.
A new combat feature is the hit-stop effect, signaling vulnerability when attacking weakened foes. This subtle addition adds a sense of brutality and impact to combat. Notably, there's no melee lock-on or dodge roll unless linked to your vocation, a bold choice that alters the combat dynamics, prioritizing careful positioning, pawn support, and exploiting enemy weaknesses over reflexes and aggression.
What stood out during multiple demo playthroughs was the distinctiveness of each experience. While walking down a familiar path, I was unexpectedly attacked by a Griffin in one run. Another led me to a riverbank confrontation with Saurians that I hadn't encountered elsewhere. In yet another, my Pawn guided me to a cave guarded by formidable bandits, resulting in a challenging battle that ended in defeat. This variety underscores the danger and wealth awaiting in Dragon's Dogma 2's world, epitomizing great exploration in video games.
Nevertheless, a sense of déjà vu lingered throughout the demo. The skills I utilized as both a fighter and a thief closely resembled early-game abilities from the original Dragon's Dogma. I encountered no new enemy types, and the battles felt familiar. As a dedicated fan of the series, I find solace in the knowledge that Dragon's Dogma 2 will expand upon what I adored about the first game, refining minor aspects. However, I couldn't help but wish for a more exhilarating glimpse of innovation in the sequel.
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