After clocking over 100 hours across PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X, this reviewer’s verdict is in: Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game that asks for your patience, tests your resolve, and – if you hang in there – eventually rewards you with a rich, engrossing adventure. This isn’t the kind of RPG that throws shiny loot at you five minutes in. No, this one makes you earn your dragon-slaying stripes the old-fashioned way; by wandering lost through the forest wondering if that side quest you picked up three hours ago was real, or just a fever dream.
The story is an undeniable step up from its predecessor, with quests that smartly bend and shift in response to your actions. You don’t need to have played the first game to follow along. Capcom has blessedly avoided the “previously on” trap that often plagues sequels. Instead, Dragon’s Dogma 2 gives you a fresh start in a surprisingly dynamic world that responds to your choices, and sometimes your mistakes, in delightfully devious ways.
Gameplay-wise, let’s just say: this game is not here to hold your hand. Travel is long and often tedious, bugs may nibble at your immersion, and quest markers are, at best, politely suggestive. The game leans into realism with a weight mechanic that’s either a brilliant layer of immersion or an inventory Tetris simulator, depending on your tolerance. But something magical happens around the 20–30 hour mark. That’s when it all “clicks.” Exploration becomes thrilling. Combat becomes deliciously strategic. And pawns – your AI-controlled companions – go from annoying tagalongs to surprisingly helpful guides, especially if you hire ones who’ve “been there, done that.”
Combat itself is more brains than brawn. It’s less about button-mashing and more about preparation: knowing which elemental weakness to exploit, which enemy to debilitate, and when to strike. The game rewards forethought and planning, making every battle feel like a tiny tactical puzzle… with the occasional surprise ogre charging in to ruin your day.
Visually, Dragon’s Dogma 2 walks a fine line. The art direction is impressive, with environments that feel wild and untamed. But technically speaking? Let’s just say this game isn’t winning any graphical beauty pageants. NPCs move like they’re performing in a low-budget puppet show, and performance is hit-or-miss on all platforms, though Xbox users seem to have drawn the short straw. Expect framerate dips and the occasional loading stutter to break the immersion. The music, while serviceable, doesn’t exactly leave a lasting impression, though the voice acting does a commendable job of bringing the world to life.
When it comes to length and replayability, Dragon’s Dogma 2 doesn’t skimp. There’s easily over 50 hours of content for the average player, and well north of 100 for completionists or gluttons for narrative punishment. Thanks to a robust vocation (class) system, New Game Plus, and the ever-evolving pawn mechanics, replaying the game isn’t just feasible – it’s encouraged.
And speaking of pawns, let’s give credit where it’s due. The asynchronous pawn system is one of the game’s most inventive features. You’ll train your own pawn and send them out into other players’ worlds, returning with stories, knowledge, and the occasional borrowed equipment. It’s quirky, it’s clever, and it gives the whole experience a welcome layer of community, without requiring awkward multiplayer chat.
In the end, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a game that rewards the brave, the curious, and the stubborn. It’s rough around the edges and has its fair share of technical hiccups, but if you can weather the storm, there’s a genuinely memorable RPG waiting beneath the surface. Just make sure you pack light – you’ll be walking a lot.