Fans have been clamoring to return to the sword-and-sorcery world of Dragon’s Dogma for over a decade, and at last, the team at Capcom is bringing the series back with modern graphics, improved gameplay, and a whole new storyline to get lost in. Of course, there will be plenty of terrifying beasts to slay as well, with inspiration taken from myths, literature, film, and manga.
Designed around a skill-based action combat system in the vein of other greats like Dark Souls and The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has all of the thrills of combat that you’re used to from modern RPGs, but a unique feature that we saw in the 2012 original is making a comeback, and it allows you to experience the rewarding process of building a team, while still retain this sharp action focus. Let’s find out how.
Pawn Shop
As you journey through the vast overworld filled with diverse regions, you’ll be joined by up to three AI-controlled companions, called Pawns, who will aid you in combat. These are no stock characters though, instead, they are designed and authored by you, the player. You can choose your Pawn’s vocation and appearance, and outfit them with their own armor and weapons.
In a neat twist, your Pawn will then be added to The Rift – essentially an online Pawn job board – where they can be recruited by other players to aid them on their quest. You can create one Pawn to take with you, and hire two more to join you on your adventure. Not only will these characters aid you in combat, but they’ll also provide you with quest information that they’ve gained from their creator’s playthrough. Your Pawn may have memories of completing a certain quest before and can therefore offer you guidance on whether or not to accept the task, and how best to approach it.
Tour Guide
Dragon’s Dogma 2 strives to be a more immersive experience than players typically expect from an RPG, and this is reflected in the behavior of your AI-controlled companions. Lots of efforts have been made to make the Pawns feel like more realistic allies in comparison to the first game, with unique dialogue and observable agency in the narrative.
The developers have taken care not to overload the game with UI markers, instead allowing the Pawns to guide the player with hints and advice. This not only makes for a more immersive gameplay experience but also helps the player bond with their teammates. As you grow as a player, so will your Pawns, whose experiences will make them more useful companions for yourself and any other players who may hire them.
Character building
One important aspect that goes into making Pawns feel more believable are their personalities. When creating your Pawn, you’ll get to choose their inclination, which will determine whether they are kind-hearted, calm, simple, or straightforward. These personality traits affect your Pawn’s actions in battle, too. Kindhearted Pawns favor healing and support skills, calm Pawns focus on defense and evasion, simple Pawns busy themselves with looting items, and straightforward Pawns lean towards all-out attacks.
Skills are determined by your Pawn’s specialization – special abilities that they can develop to aid you in your quest. For example, your Pawn may learn how to speak a certain tongue, such as Elvish, which will allow them to translate any dialogue or texts you come across in that language. Experiment with different specializations and build a team ready to take on any challenge that the world throws at you.
One thing to watch out for is the mysterious Dragonsplague. This contagious disease-like condition can infect Pawns as they travel between worlds. Rather than weaken them, this condition is said to imbue the Pawn with remarkable abilities – enhancing their prowess in battle and making them conspicuously bold in their speech and behavior. When the symptoms reach a terminal stage, a devastating calamity is said to occur – at least if the rumors are to be believed. We don’t know too much about this condition, but if it finds its way into your party, be ready for any outcome.
With your Pawns by your side, you’ll be able to enjoy an immersive single-player experience with the community feel of an online RPG. Hunt fearsome monsters, complete challenging quests, and discover the secrets of a dark fantasy world. Dragon’s Dogma 2 launches on Xbox on March 22, 2024, and is available for pre-purchase now.
