Dragon's Dogma II is the second main entry in the Dragon's Dogma franchise, announced in June 2022 during a celebration of the original game's 10th anniversary.
History[]
10th anniversary logo
On May 24, 2022, Capcom updated its www.dragonsdogma.com domain to celebrate the game's 10th anniversary since release. A short retrospective video was released on June 16, 2022, to celebrate that anniversary - at the same time Hideaki Itsuno (director), Daigo Ikeno (art director), and Kenichi Suzuki (level designer) took the opportunity to announce that a second game, Dragon's Dogma II, was in active development.
The game was stated as being in production using Capcom's RE Engine.[1] In fact, development of the game had begun once Devil May Cry 5 had been released (c. May 2019) and was put in development at the same time as Devil May Cry 5 Special Edition.[2]
In November 2022, in a recorded conversation with Keiichiro Toyama of Bokeh Game Studio, Hideaki Itsuno spoke about some concepts of the game he was working on [21m00s] "What I'm currently doing now is trying something new but keeping it easy to understand. I have this everyday phenomenon that I think of implementing into the game. (...) It's new but I also think that everyone, even children, can grasp it. [...] It's like working with fluids in a way. (...) It's new but everyone knows how water is supposed to flow. I'm thinking of something like that.".[3]
Full artwork
On the 11th Anniversary of release, 24th May 2023, Capcom announced that the game's website had gone live at www.dragonsdogma.com/2 .[4] Platforms of PlayStation 5, Xbox Series S/X, and Steam were listed. The first trailer and gameplay was shown the same day at the 2023 PlayStation showcase.[5] The development team for the game was Capcom's 'Dev 1' team.[6]
The game was first shown as a playable version as a demo at the Tokyo Game Show 2023. The trial introduced three vocations :「アーチャー」[Archer] using bow, 「ファイター」[Fighter] using sword and shield, and「シーフ」[Thief] using daggers; each in a different scenario.[7] Also at TGS 2023, Capcom's official livestream showed 9 minutes of gameplay, revealing two of the advanced vocations : Magick Archer (magick bow), and Mystic Spearhand (melee physical double-headed spear with ranged magick).[8]
In late Nov 2023 a second showcase was shown. New humanoid monsters such as the headless ghostly Dullahan and gigantic animated Talos were shown as well as the re-imagined Drake. Additionally a third Arisen only vocation, the "Trickster" was shown, a censer wielding support focused class that utilizes illusions amongst other skills. Additionsl plot details were revealed, as well as the existence of an Elfic race. At the same showing a release date was announced : 22 March 2024.[9]
A tenth class "Warferer" that can utilize any weapon at a cost of lesser stats was revealed at the PlayStation "State of Play" (January 31 2024).[10][11]
At the "Capcom Highlights Day 1" (7 Mar 2024) Capcom announced several official pawns featuring the likenesses of content creator partners and internet personalities.[12] Additionally a free "Character Creator and Storage" app was announced, allowing players to create their own Arisen and Pawn prior to the release of the game.[13]
On April 2, 2024, it was confirmed by the company Capcom that sales of Dragon's Dogma 2 reached 2.5 million units. The entire Dragon's Dogma series franchise has surpassed 10 million units.[14]
Dragon's Dogma II reached 3 million units sold.[15]
Dragon's Dogma II on May 28, 2024 was revealed to have reached 3 million sales.
Setting, Plot, Characters[]
Dragon's Dogma 2 takes place in the lands of Vermund and Battahl, in a parallel universe from that of the original Dragon's Dogma.
The tale is told of an Arisen (the player and main protagonist) and their Pawns, all woven into the politics and events of the wider world.
Changes from Dragon's Dogma[]
Dragon's Dogma 2 is set in the same universe as the original, though set in a different land, with politics and geography unknown to Gransys. Many recognisable features of the original Dragon's Dogma make their return: Arisen, Pawns, a heart stealing Dragon, the Brine, and a ruler of dubious nature. Those familiar with the original game will also recognise many monsters, magick, armor, and items making their return. Notable additions include new vocations, monsters, and a new playable humanoid race known as the Beastren.
Vocations[]
Vocations remain a core aspect of Dragon's Dogma, but have been significantly reworked:
- Returning are : Fighter
, Mage , Warrior , Sorcerer , and a daggerless version of Magick Archer , - Strider and Ranger no longer exist; instead, two new vocations have been created : Archer [bows] , and Thief [daggers]. .
- Archer inherits some Ranger skills and can use longbows and shortbows.
- In addition to the original Red, Yellow, and Blue classification, Thief adds a fourth Green classification.
- Three new hybrid vocations
- Mystic Spearhand [duospear] that uses physical melee attacks in combination with magick attacks.
- Trickster [censer] , an incense burner wielding support focused class that utilizes illusions in battle.
- The Trickster's vocation colors are pink and purple, both previously unknown.
- Warfarer , a class that can utilize any weapon of the other classes.
- As before all hybrid vocations are restricted to the Arisen.
- Mystic Spearhand [duospear]
Changes :
- Each Vocation has a unique Weapon action [R1]. For example, Thief has a quick dash and Mage can cast quickly at the expense of additional stamina.
- Core skills have been expanded, adding what were previously Weapon skills to the Core moveset.
- Auto targeting for physical bow attacks (Archer) has been introduced, though manual aiming can still be done.
- Weapon skills are linked to one weapon or set of weapons (with 4 slots), rather than being split between the left and right hand. For example, Fighter shares both shield and primary weapon skills.
- Many new Augments have been added, and some others have been changed or improved.
- Levelling and stat growths have changed, and carrying capacity can now improve with level.
World and inhabitants[]
The kingdom of Vermund is larger than Gransys, but has familiar green fields and European architecture. There is also a new kingdom to visit: Battahl, the home of Beastren. This land is set in a more arid environment, featuring desert landscapes and canyons. Additionally Elves are present in this new world, living in the homeland they call the "Sacred Arbor" - they speak an elvish language that the Arisen cannot understand, though knowledgeable pawns may be able to translate for them.
Environmental and creature interactions have been developed further.
- Terrain and environmental structures can now be altered or broken; for example, dams holding back water can now unleash floods (similar those found in CAPCOM's Monster Hunter World) to damage enemies.
- Roving parties of adventurers may now be found through the land - they may be hostile or helpful.
- In addition to travel with ferrystones, it's now possible to ride by ox cart (which includes a fast travel option), although one may be ambushed en route.
- Campfire locations allow the Arisen to set up camp during the night.
Additionally, loading screen transitions have been eliminated when traversing areas and regions.
Creatures and Combat[]
- See also: Monsters (Dragon's Dogma 2)
Fighting foes plays out in much the same way as in the original, but some new mechanisms have been introduced :
- In addition to climbing monsters, it is now possible to stand on them and use skills as if on solid ground.
- Grappling now allows creatures to be pushed or pulled.., which might be used to make them fall over, or so on.
- A 'downed' state has been added, much like a prolonged out of stamina knockdown.
- A finishing blow may be struck to foes with low health using a heavy attack.
- Pawn revival from the unconscious state now takes longer and instead restores them to the same health as the Arisen.
- Foes from the original have gained some new attacks and actions.
- Items no longer restore health to full, making expeditions riskier as they continue. Sleeping at campfires or inns is required to fully restore health.
Returning creatures including: but some are a bit different from their first appearances.
- Chimeras, three headed monsters of a lion, goat and snake.
- Gorechimeras, undead chimeras.
- Griffins,
- Harpy,
- Saurain,
- Wolf,
- Ogre,
- Cyclops,
- Golem
- Garm
- Warg
- Leapworm
- Skeleton
- Skeleton lord
- Undead
- Stout undead
- Phantom
- Phantasm
- Specter
- Succubus
- Goblin
- Hobgoblin
- Drake,
New creatures have been added, including :
- Minotaurs, half man half bull monsters.
- Goreminotaurs, shggier, red eyed minoturs.
- Sphinx, part woman, bird and lion monster that gives the Arisen riddles they must answer for unknown rewards.
- Medusa, half woman half snake
- Dullahan a headless ghostly foe
- Talos, a gigantic animated bronze humanoid.
- Slime, green blob monsters.
- Rattlers, walk on fours, armoured species in the saurain family.
- Chopper an agile goblin like creature that lives in forests
- 'Knackers', a type of goblin that wields a long weapon
- Serpents, thunder species in the saurian family.
- Asps, poison species in the saurian family.
- Lesser dragons, artifical dragons.
- Redwolfves, less fur, reddish wolves.
- Grim ogres, a messy red eyed ogres.
- Oozes, oily blobs in the slime family.
- Sludges, magma blobs in the smile family.
- Venin harpy, ponsionus species of the harpy family.
- Gore harpy, a large species of the harpy family.
- Magma scales, fire rock species of the saurain family.
- Purgeners, dragon like monsters of the brine two types the bird like and the serpentine.
Other[]
- Clothing and Armor is simplified, removing the ability to choose underclothes, gloves etc. Instead only upper, and lower armor, helmet, and a cape can be chosen individually.
- People can die permanently - on death they may be transferred to the city morgue (and can be revived with a wakestone) after some days they will be buried.
Editions and Releases[]
Dragon's Dogma 2 released as standard and deluxe editions on PS5, Xbox Series, and PC (Steam). All editions were available as digital downloads; the PS5 and Xbox standard editions were also available as a physical Blu-ray disc.
The deluxe editions add the DLC Boon for Adventurers: New Journey Pack containing :
- Explorer's Camping Kit, 1500 Rift Crystals, Wakestone, Art of Metamorphosis, Harpysnare Smoke Beacons, Ambivalent Rift Incense, Heartfelt Pendant, Makeshift Gaol Key
- Dragon's Dogma Music & Sound Collection - replaces some in-game music and sound effects with those of the original Dragon's Dogma.
Additionally each platform adds pre-order bonuses :
- Superior Weapons Quartet DLC special basic vocation weapons
- Deluxe edition only Ring of Assurance
Collaborations[]
A collaboration with Puzzle & Dragons was rerun from 1 Mar 2024.[16] The collab was originally run in 2013 for the mobile game Dragon's Dogma Quest (see Dragon's Dogma Collab at the Puzzle & Dragon wiki, or Dragon's Dogma Quest x Puzzle & Dragons at the Dragon's Dogma Quest wiki.)
Notes[]
- Dragon's Dogma 2 is set in a parallel world to Gransys.
- Multiple leaks claiming to have insight into the development of the game were posted on 4chan in 2020 and 2021. The posts were from someone claiming to be "in a position that allows me to know certain details regarding the next Dragon's Dogma". Details posted included planned plot and game engine details, and planned release and announcement schedules.
- Development of the game was confirmed by leaked planning documents, released as a result of a 2020 ransomwear attack on Capcom
Hideaki Itsuno received the award at the Japan Game Awards 2023
- Just as the intro to Dragon's Dogma quoted the French poet Henri de Regnier in the introductory cutscene : "le plaisir délicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile" [The delightful and ever novel pleasure of a useless occupation], so the 1st trailer quoted the French playright Honoré de Balzac : "La conviction est la volonté humaine arrivée à sa plus grande puissance" [Belief is the human will's greatest strength].
Japan Game Awards 2023
- There is full audio for English and Japanese. Additionally it is localized (interface and subtitles) in French, Italian, German, Spanish (Spain or Latin America), Arabic, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, and Korean.
- Compared to the first installment the new localisations are for Brazilian Portuguese, Chinese simplified, Arabic, Russian, Spanish (Latin America), and Korean.
- At the Tokyo Game Show 2023 event, Dragon's Dogma 2 received the Japan Game Awards 2023 award. Dragon's Dogma 2's results were in the Future Division category.
References[]
- ↑ "Join director Hideaki Itsuno as he reflects on how the world of Gransys came to be and shares the announcement of the upcoming sequel, in development using RE Engine" ; 11:22PM 16 Jun 2022 via twitter.com
- ↑ 『ドラゴンズドグマ 2』インタビュー。ポーンのコンセプトは“親の顔が見たい”。前作のプレイ感を踏襲しつつ覚者とポーンの冒険はグッと厚みが増した【TGS2023】 (24 Sep 2023) via www.famitsu.com
- ↑ Devil May Cry and Dragon's Dogma Director Visits Bokeh Game , Bokeh Game Studio via www.youtube.com
- ↑ 【公式サイト】『ドラゴンズドグマ 2』公式サイトが本日オープン！ twitter.com
- ↑ PlayStation Showcase 2023 | [ENGLISH] www.youtube.com ; Dragon's Dogma 2 - 1st Trailer | PS5 Games (English language sub trailer) via www.youtube.com
- ↑ 『#ドラゴンズドグマ2』 Capcom Dev 1 via www.twitter.com
- ↑ [ TGS2023 ] 「ドラゴンズドグマ 2」プレイレポート。物理演算をフィーチャーしたアクションと，好奇心をそそるロケーション www.4gamer.net
- ↑ Dragon's Dogma 2 - 9 Minute Gameplay Deep Dive | Tokyo Game Show 2023 www.youtube.com
- ↑ Dragon's Dogma 2 Showcase 2023 via www.youtube.com
- ↑ Dragon's Dogma 2 - Action Trailer - PS5 Games PlayStation via www.youtube.com
- ↑ New Dragon’s Dogma 2 trailer showcases Warfarer vocation, out March 22 PlayStation.Blog (31 Jan 2024)
- ↑ Capcom Highlights Day 1, March 7, 2024 via twitter.com
- ↑ Prepare for your grand adventure! Get ready for launch on March 22 by downloading Dragon's Dogma 2 Character Creator ＆ Storage. via twitter.com
- ↑ Capcom Corporate | Investor Relations (IR) Site: Dragon's Dogma 2 Sales Top 2.5 Million Units!
- ↑ https://x.com/DragonsDogma/status/1795387174453395631
- ↑ ガンホー・オンライン・エンターテイメントのパズルRPG『パズル＆ドラゴンズ（通称、パズドラ）』にて『ドラゴンズドグマ 2』の発売を記念して、『ドラゴンズドグマ』とのコラボが復刻決定！ (22 Feb 2024) via twitter.com
External links[]
- dragonsdogma.com/2 , Official website
- "Character Creator and Storage" , demo
- Dragon's Dogma 2 Official Pawns , pawn list
- Dragon's Dogma , Twitter
- Capcom Dev 1 , Capcom Dev 1 Twitter
- Dragon's Dogma , official Youtube chsnnel
- Dragon's Dogma game , Instagram
Platforms[]
Rating is ESRB "Mature" (17+), with themes including : Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Violence, (strong) Language ; the PEGI rating is 18 with violence and in-game purchases listed.
- : Dragon's Dogma 2 , steampowered.com
- : Dragon's Dogma 2 , playstation.store ; Dragon's Dogma 2 www.playstation.com
- : Dragon's Dogma 2 , xbox.com
Media[]
