DISCLAIMER: Skip to the conclusion for a TL;DR!

Dragon’s Dogma 2 stands as one of the most beautifully crafted RPGs in recent memory, evoking an unparalleled sense of adventure that few games in the genre manage to capture. Its breathtaking environments begs exploration, offering hidden secrets and unlockables that reward curiosity, while the dynamic and unique combat and pawn system keeps every encounter thrilling. Undoubtedly, there’s a wealth of content to immerse yourself in throughout this experience.

Yet, despite these accomplishments, Dragon's Dogma 2 has sparked considerable debate among its player base. The game’s troubled launch and a series of unresolved issues have left fans divided, with some celebrating its artistic triumphs, while others criticize its persistent flaws. This contrast of opinions has created one of the most polarized gaming communities in my recent memory. So, what is it that makes this game so controversial? Let’s dive into both the highs and lows of Dragon's Dogma 2 and explore what makes it so divisive.

The gameplay follows a familiar RPG formula, with players exploring the world, progressing through the main campaign (which we’ll dive into later), and tackling a variety of side quests and tasks. However, Dragon's Dogma 2 distinguishes itself with several intriguing mechanics that push the boundaries of what’s typically possible in the genre. For example, players can interact with NPCs to forge replicas of quest items and crafting materials, or unlock areas of the map through secret entrances rather than progressing through the main storyline. These unique features add an extra layer of depth that enhances the overall experience.

That said, the progression system for acquiring gear feels disappointingly linear. Most equipment is purchased from vendors, with options that grow in quality and price as you advance in the game. While the developers attempt to break this mold with secret passages, rare monster drops, caves, and an enhancement system designed to incentivize exploration, the variety is still lacking. More often than not, the gear obtained through these methods isn’t particularly unique but rather serves as an alternate way of acquiring what can also be bought.

This brings us to another area where the game struggles—monster diversity. After about 15-20 hours of exploration, you’ll have encountered nearly every type of creature in the game, which is limited to around 10-12 species. While the game introduces variants of these creatures (e.g., goblins and hobgoblins), the lack of overall variety leaves the world feeling somewhat repetitive. In my opinion, these variations don’t do enough to make the encounters feel fresh or distinctive.

Despite these shortcomings, Dragon's Dogma 2 truly shines in its combat. Every strike feels weighty, and the way enemies respond to your attacks creates an immersive and satisfying experience with each battle. Combined with the iconic pawn and party system, which adds another layer of depth to your encounters, the combat remains one of the game's standout features, especially during your first playthrough.

Without giving away spoilers, Dragon’s Dogma 2 begins with one of the most captivating introductions in recent RPGs, largely due to the intriguing and mysterious world it presents. Right from the start, the game pulls you in, sparking a desire to uncover the answers to the many questions it raises. As you progress, the story builds toward a grand and thought-provoking finale that can get surprisingly philosophical, which far exceeds the expectations set by the opening moments. I’m especially fond of the ‘true’ ending, which adds an extra layer of significance to the narrative.

However, despite the strong beginning and ending, the story falters during its middle portion. As the plot delves into the politics of the world, it becomes weighed down by confusing narrative decisions and questionable character choices. This muddled direction disrupts the pacing and weakens the overall experience, making the mid-game feel less engaging and cohesive than its opening or finale.

As someone who's never played the first entry of this series, and got into Dragon's Dogma 2 several months post-launch, a lot of the political problems the community has with this game either isn't applicable to me or I had avoided entirely due to some of the problems already being addressed (eg. launch performance issues). That said, the microtransactions that are available to purchase for this game, while mostly unneccessary and doesn't significantly affect you at all, shows the extreme greediness from the developers and publishers. The act of charging real-life currencies for in-game obtainable items in a singleplayer title, especially for something as trivial as what is being offered here, is disgusting and I am only thankful that they did not design certain game mechanics around these paid offerings.

Dragon's Dogma 2 is, without a doubt, a flawed masterpiece. Its world is vast and full of wonder, with environments that encourage exploration and mysteries that beg to be uncovered. The combat system, bolstered by the unique pawn mechanic, stands as one of the most engaging aspects of the game, delivering a weighty, satisfying experience that sets it apart from other RPGs. The captivating introduction and philosophical finale also add significant narrative depth that will leave many players reflecting long after the credits roll.

However, the game is not without its shortcomings. The linear gear progression and lack of monster variety detract from the otherwise immersive experience, while the middle portion of the story stumbles under the weight of confusing character choices and narrative intricacies that don’t always land. Additionally, the presence of microtransactions in a single-player game feels like an unnecessary and greedy move from the developers, although it thankfully doesn’t severely impact gameplay.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 shines where it truly matters—its sense of adventure, engaging combat, and unforgettable moments. It’s a game that had the potential to become an industry icon, much like Skyrim, if only the developers had pushed that extra mile to fully realize its potential and delved deeper into the elements that make this game so good. Despite its imperfections, for those willing to look beyond them, the journey it offers comes tragically yet impressively close to earning the title of a masterpiece. I highly recommend giving it a chance.