Dragon’s Dogma 2 RPG Gameplay: Innovation versus Improvement

We're big fans of the smaller-scale ARPGs such as the recent Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, of course, but we also think that we're long overdue a true high fantasy open-world action RPG, to boot. Enter Dragon's Dogma 2: Capcom's hotly anticipated and long-awaited sequel to the first game.

Dragon's Dogma 2 has been a long-standing topic here at 2Game for some time now, of course. On top of the other articles featured in this piece, for example, we've recently discussed Dragon's Dogma 2's curiously steep hardware requirements, and the quality of its PC build.

Today, however, we're not interested in the technical aspect of the game. Instead, we want to know how Dragon's Dogma 2 moves the RPG envelope forward in a meaningful way. How does the game - which could be considered a remake if you squint hard enough - differentiate itself from the first game, and its competitors? Well, let's see what we can come up with.

READ MORE: A Comprehensive Overview of Dragon's Dogma 2

Standard RPG Features and Gameplay Loop?

While there certainly have always been some genre novelties present in Dragon's Dogma games, it's important to understand that huge, genre-defining innovation has never been the franchise's forte. Outside of its Pawn system, for example, much of the original game is simply a competently executed action RPG.

From its character creation to creature design, Dragon's Dogma deliberately styles itself after the most bog-standard Western fantasy fare. That's what makes its few standout features all the more important, however. We're absolutely positive that anybody who's played the original Dragon's Dogma was left flabbergasted after they realized you could climb the bigger monsters, lop off their body parts, and thus entirely change the flow of the fight.

The long-awaited sequel therefore embraces this duality of approach. Game director Hideaki Itsuno has explained time and again that virtually everything from the original game is being rebuilt in Dragon's Dogma 2. With that, we know for a fact that we're getting a similar, albeit much-improved gameplay loop in the end.

Pre-order Dragon's Dogma 2 at 2Game to score a sweet discount!

RPG Features in Dragon's Dogma 2

Of course, if you're a total newcomer who hasn't played Dark Arisen yet - which you really ought to do - then you're probably unaware of what RPG features may or may not be coming to Dragon's Dogma 2. Here's a quick fact sheet of the things we know are present and accounted for:

Aside from the NPC Pawns, every single one of these RPG tropes has already been delivered by a different game. Yet, with Dragon's Dogma 2, you can rest assured that Capcom and Itsuno are putting their own spin on the formula. Therefore, even though Dragon's Dogma 2 won't revolutionize the genre from the ground up, it will deliver its own exciting vision of how it should all work in practice.

That, we think, is the really interesting bit: polishing and granular improvements over genre-breaking developments.

An Evolution of the Concept, or Not?

Immersion is the key consideration for Dragon's Dogma 2. It's no secret at all that Capcom and game director Hideaki Itsuno, more specifically, are more-or-less trying to recreate the original Dragon's Dogma with all the progression and improvements that the genre and the industry at large have accomplished since. This is, indeed, an open-world action RPG that takes virtually everything its predecessor had delivered. Except, it also adds loads more, specifically in the immersion department.

In an interview with SiliconEra, Itsuno said "For Dragon’s Dogma 2, our team tried to focus on achieving many things that were technologically difficult when developing the first game, and to delve deeper into those ideas." In other words, Capcom is trying to make everything about Dragon's Dogma 2 that much more engaging and interesting than it ever was in the original game.

"In that regard," Itsuno continued, "the sequel may not include as many things that feel completely new or different, but will be more polished and enhanced in order to achieve a more immersive RPG and action adventure for the player. That is our focus with this game."

Itsuno was careful not to spoil much of anything in his interview with SiliconEra, of course. To provide examples for his statements, he cited Dragon's Dogma 2's all-new camping mechanics and the oxcart "fast travel" system, but there's loads more where that came from, naturally.

The obvious conclusion, then, is that Dragon's Dogma 2 will allow players to explore a bigger and more meaningful world in a way that better grounds their character in their environment. Isn't that the sort of thing an exciting new grand adventure is all about?

Mark Down March 22!

Dragon's Dogma 2 is coming out on PC on March 22, and 2Game will be here to cover it. We've already planned out a wealth of guides from day one of the game's release onwards, and we cannot wait to tell you everything we know about it.

In the time interim, remember that we've got a special pre-order discount ready to go! You can get 13% off on both the base game and the special Deluxe Edition if you make your purchase before March 22. On top of that, of course, you'll also score a sweet pre-order bonus including a set of Superior Weapons and the Ring of Assurance, helping you tackle early-game challenges ever-so-slightly.

Pre-order Dragon's Dogma 2 at 2Game to score a sweet discount!

CHECK OUT: Dragon's Dogma 2 Preview for PC

We’re big fans of the smaller-scale ARPGs such as the recent Banishers: Ghosts of New Eden, of course, but we also think that we’re long overdue a true high fantasy open-world action RPG, to boot. Enter Dragon’s Dogma 2: Capcom’s hotly anticipated and long-awaited sequel to the first game. Dragon’s Dogma 2 has been a […]