4/5 ★ – Jay_HxS's review of Dragon's Dogma 2.

Embarking on the journey through "Dragon's Dogma 2" was a captivating and remarkably fun experience, yet one filled with issues and gripes that colored my experience. The allure of its distinctive combat mechanics, which proved to be both engaging and exhilarating, drew me deeper into its fantastical realm. Each encounter felt like a thrilling dance of swords and spells, one that left me aching for the next fight just after one ended with a layer of excitement for every skirmish. The world brimmed with life and exploration, beckoning me to uncover its secrets and delve into its mysteries. The pawn system is one of the most unique and creative features that brought a new dimension to my quest, allowing me to craft and assemble my own band of misfits with unique personality, allowing the game to feel like a personally tailored experience. However, amidst the joy of discovery, certain issues emerged. While traversing the expansive landscapes was undeniably enjoyable, the absence of a more accessible fast travel system soon became a nagging inconvenience, hindering the fluidity of my adventure. Moreover, the promise of a compelling narrative was undercut by unconnected threads and unresolved plotlines, leaving me yearning for a more cohesive storytelling experience. Coupled with sporadic performance issues, these shortcomings prevented "Dragon's Dogma 2" from attaining the "one of the greats" heights it so eagerly aspired to reach. Gameplay: The gameplay in "Dragon's Dogma 2" stands as the unequivocal highlight of the experience, offering a rich tapestry of options that keep every moment feeling fresh and exhilarating. It has an amazing character creator in fact, one of the best. The diverse range of vocations provides an array of playstyles to suit any preference, ensuring that no encounter ever feels stale. Whether swiftly darting through foes as a nimble thief, picking off targets from afar as a skilled archer, or unleashing devastating spells as a powerful mage, each combat scenario is absurdly engaging and endlessly entertaining. Throughout my journey, I found myself drawn to the Mystic Spearhand vocation, a dazzling blend of magic and agility wielded with a double-bladed staff. The inclusion of pawns further enhances the depth of gameplay, allowing for the customization of a unique squad composed of various vocations. The ability to recruit user-created pawns via "the rift" adds an extra layer of personalization, while the extensive customization options for your main pawn, from appearance to personality traits, truly make them feel like a vital companion on your quest. The game SHINES when you are in the heat of battle or fighting bosses. The games world is fun to traverse and explore, as it can often have random occurrences, like a griffin swooping down to attack you, or an ogre bursting through a treeline to ambush you. The secret endgame provides a very fun and diverse catalog of endgame bosses and shiny enticing endgame armor to collect. However, while the thrill of battle and exploration never wanes, the lack of a convenient fast travel system becomes increasingly cumbersome as the vastness of the world unfolds, detracting somewhat from the otherwise seamless immersion in this captivating adventure. Sound and Graphics: The auditory and visual elements contribute significantly to the immersive experience, although they are not without their shortcomings. The soundscape of the game is rich and dynamic, with the ambient noises of the wilderness adding depth to the open world exploration. The clashing of swords, the explosive bursts of magic, and the thunderous roars of formidable beasts during combat all serve to heighten the intensity of each encounter. Additionally, the soundtrack, while not groundbreaking, effectively complements the diverse situations players find themselves in, enhancing the atmosphere of the game. Visually, "Dragon's Dogma 2" boasts stunning graphics that bring its fantastical world to life with breathtaking detail. However, the performance of the graphics engine struggles to keep pace with the game's ambitions. In city areas, the framerate takes a noticeable hit, often plummeting to levels that detract from the overall experience. Even during heated battles, the game's performance can dip to borderline unplayable levels, hampering the fluidity of gameplay. While the performance remains somewhat consistent in the open world, it fails to fully capitalize on the potential of the game's graphical prowess, leaving room for improvement in optimization. Story: In "Dragon's Dogma 2," the story emerges as the most significant disappointment, particularly for those who prioritize narrative depth in single-player experiences. As the Arisen, the player character, remains voiceless throughout the journey, a common trope in RPGs; however, unlike other titles that compensate for your hero being voiceless with a robust amount of dialogue options to give your character a voice, "Dragon's Dogma 2" fails to do this, leaving the protagonist feeling disconnected and devoid of personality. The companions encountered along the way often serve as mere vessels for plot exposition, relying heavily on dialogue rather than immersive storytelling or cinematic cutscenes. Romance options, a staple for many RPG enthusiasts, lack depth and fail to establish meaningful connections with the characters, leaving players largely indifferent towards their companions. The only characters I ended up caring about was my own main pawn, and 2 extra pawns. In a genre where character development and relationships are paramount, this oversight proves to be a significant flaw. Moreover, the story introduces intriguing plotlines early on but fails to deliver satisfying resolutions, leaving loose ends dangling unresolved. The "true ending" of the game is accessible only through a hidden action during the final encounter that many players may overlook, or even realize it is in option, leading to many players missing out on an additional 10+ hours of extra gameplay and endgame content. It doesn't help that the most compelling narrative moments take place in this hidden ending for the game, which again, players can completely miss. Ultimately, while "Dragon's Dogma 2" excels in many aspects, its narrative shortcomings prevent it from reaching its full potential as an immersive RPG experience. "Dragon's Dogma 2" offers a captivating and deeply engaging experience that shines brightest in its innovative gameplay mechanics, immersive world design, and unique pawn system. Despite its flaws in storytelling, performance issues, and missed opportunities for narrative depth, the game remains a thrilling adventure for fans of action RPGs. While it may not achieve the status of a masterpiece, its strengths outweigh its weaknesses, providing hours of enjoyment for those willing to overlook its shortcomings. Whether embarking on epic quests, battling fearsome creatures, or forging unforgettable bonds with your own pawns, "Dragon's Dogma 2" offers a fantastical journey worthy of exploration, even amidst its oddities and imperfections. Rating: 8.5/10 Hours to beat: 25