Dragon’s Dogma 2 Gameplay Revealed at the PlayStation Showcase

We finally have some actual gameplay footage of the highly anticipated game, Dragon’s Dogma 2. The Capcom-developed single-player focused action RPG looks like it will have a ton of variety in gameplay and character choices, much like the first game. As such, it looks as if the sequel is sticking to its roots as the original was largely single-player aside from its Pawns feature. 

So what else can we expect from Dragon’s Dogma 2? Sit back, relax, and avoid the dragon! 

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Visually Striking Impressions

Dragon’s Dogma 2 will start out in an underground jail just like in other RPGs. Your character hears a dragon’s echo looming over the area. As it stands, we are an Arisen yet again. We are thus thrust into a story to slay this dragon, which symbolizes the world’s destruction. 

One thing that immediately pops out of the trailer is how absolutely gorgeous the graphics look. As the game is being built upon Capcom’s amazing RE Engine, Dragon’s Dogma by extension is quite a looker. Everything in the opening shot from a simple wagon zoomed into a wide and sweeping shot that encompasses an entire countryside is filled with detail. 

What’s more, is that the team has managed to perfectly capture the feel and art direction of the first game. It looks just like the original Dragon’s Dogma would be if it were released in 2023. You can immediately tell that this game is a sequel and that Capcom has retained tons of the JRPG influences.

How To Slay Your Dragon

The Dragon’s Dogma 2 footage also showed off tons of actual gameplay including combat. This is refreshingly good in today’s day and age wherein we have a ton of pre-rendered footage making up most of a game’s trailer. We’re happy to see that a lot of, if not most, of the original’s mechanics will make a resounding comeback in the sequel. We get glimpses of things such as monster climbing, meteor summoning, creating our own walkway, and multiple weapon options. 

We get to see a lot of distinct character archetypes showing off all their flashy moves. Mage characters have the aforementioned meteors but also make use of telekinesis, some magic missile lookalikes, and other magical sigils. One particularly great-looking spell was when a wizard illuminated an entirely pitch-black forest, blinding enemies caught in the blast. 

Martial classes also get some love. Powerful bow strikes make their way back into the game, as do heavy claymore-type weapons. Additionally, we will also get to mount enemies and stab them many times – even flying ones. It looks really cool to be slashing at an arch griffin’s neck while it’s trying to throw you off. 

Time to Pawn-der

Judging from the game’s trailer, a lot of cut or otherwise planned content from the first game will make its way into Dragon’s Dogma 2. A case in point is the new beast race that is heavily featured. They look just like Skyrim’s Khajiit, except not as judgemental. 

We can also expect to see a return of the game’s famous Pawn system. Just like the player, everything should still be fully customizable from their Vocations, Skills, and Stats. They are described as “otherworldy beings”. The game’s official page also says that the revolutions in Artificial Intelligence will make it so that players will feel as if they’re accompanied by actual people, when in fact, their companions will be just Pawns. 

Hopefully, the sequel will be just as open as the first game. Players could approach encounters in many different ways, as long as they’re willing to think outside of the box. This openness, alongside some unforgiving gameplay, makes the game somewhat comparable to the Soulslike genre. A ton of experimentation and testing will likely be needed in order to create the perfect dragon-slaying build.

Dragon Rising

The original Dragon’s Dogma was one of our Best RPGs of the Decade (2010 – 2019). Perhaps Dragon’s Dogma 2 will make its way into the 2020 – 2029 list, up there with the likes of Elden Ring. 

Dragon’s Dogma 2 will only arrive on current-gen consoles (the Xbox Series and PlayStation 5) as well as PC via Steam. It was announced almost a year ago, on June 16 which coincided with the game’s 10-Year Anniversary Stream. Be sure to visit the Dragon’s Dogma 2 Wiki for more info on the game! 

In other news, check out Phantom Blade Zero is a “Kungfupunk” Action-RPG and Alan Wake 2 Launches Digitally Only October 17th.