Like the 2012 original, Dragon’s Dogma 2 doesn’t stray too far from the blueprint that turned it into a cult-classic action-RPG in its own right over the past decade, keeping its second-to-none action design and vague but robust and alluring world as its centerpieces. It is unforgiving out of the gate thanks to brutal enemies and chaotic encounters that are not designed to gradually ease you in. It is also high levels of janky; all of its systems seem precariously fitted together, with the fragility of a well-pruned Jenga tower. Weird things happen all the time, and yet remarkably, it never fully falls over, and its open-ended design facilitates a potential for barely controlled chaos that makes some of these inconveniences feel almost intentional, even if they clearly aren’t.

The Vast Dark Fantasy World of Dragon’s Dogma 2

The vast dark fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 is different from the previous game’s but is similarly dense with unbeaten paths to wander down and secrets to find. Many will never make themselves known to you if you don’t go out of your way looking for them.

Challenging Night Encounters in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Traveling through the verdant forests and dusty crags is as dangerous as it is interesting. The wilds of Dragon’s Dogma 2 are filled with creatures who would love to make you lunch.

What We Said About Dragon’s Dogma

It’s a strange game, Dragon’s Dogma; it does some really brave and interesting things, but it also feels unfinished, with technical problems that often spoil things. The combat, though, is one of the best real-time RPG fighting systems around.

A Unique Sense of Mystery in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Even with the lack of fast traveling options, there is a strong sense of mystery in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that demands to be solved. The lack of waypoints and map markers for side stories helps nail the feeling that you are a curious member of a living, breathing place.

Exploring Environments in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Most of the environments in Dragon’s Dogma 2 are stunning. Big cliffside ocean views steal the show, and even the deep caves and shadowy crypts have an eerie charm.

Character Variety and Combat in Dragon’s Dogma 2

Combat is king in Dragon’s Dogma 2, with a huge Monster Hunter influence that adds depth and strategy to battles. The new vocations offer a blast of creativity and variety to the class systems in action-RPGs.

Monster Variations and Challenges

Speaking of the monsters, you’re mainly going to see variations of a dozen or so base creatures. They can get repetitive, but many of the variants you’ll encounter in certain parts of the world have distinctive traits or attacks that make them a bit different than their kin. Special monsters like the Medusa are incredible challenges and top highlights of the open-ended nature of Dragon’s Dogma 2’s world.