Summary
2024 hasn’t even reached summer and it’s been heavy hitter after heavy hitter thus far. BetweenPrince of Persia: The Lost Crown,Tekken 8,Palworld, andPersona 3 Reloadto name a handful, 2024 has already seen more than its fair share of excellent releases. But it still feels like 2024 is only just getting started, withDragon’s Dogma 2carrying that momentum forward.
A long-awaited sequel that might not be too much of a departure from its 2012 predecessor,Dragon’s Dogma 2is yet another 2024 large-scale open-world RPG, but one that has plenty of quirks, both positive and negative. Willing to forge its own path,Dragon’s Dogma 2breaks away from many conventions of the genre, and in doing so it’s managed to become quite a hit. However,Dragon’s Dogma 2has always managed to stir up some controversy that lends itself to a comparison with one of 2024’s best games so far,Helldivers 2.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Helldivers 2 Are in the Same, Yet Completely Opposite Positions
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Microtransaction Controversy Briefly Explained
Microtransactions are, unfortunately, nothing new for the gaming industry. For decades now, games have beenselling virtual currency, in-game cosmetics, and locking certain modes and maps behind a paywall, and though microtransactions are now an expected part of the industry, it doesn’t make them any less controversial, andDragon’s Dogma 2has just found that out the hard way.
WhenDragon’s Dogma 2launched a few days ago, many fans were quick to point out that the game’s Steam page was littered with optional in-game purchases. Most of these purchases revolved aroundDragon’s Dogma 2’s in-game currency, known as Rift Crystals, which allow players to hire higher-level companions.
Other purchases include access to rare items like Wakestones that can be used to revive the player in battle and a Portcrystal that lets the player manually place a fast travel beacon on the map. While players can access all of these items by playing throughDragon’s Dogma 2, the presence of them has caused quite a bit of vitriol online. But what’s really interesting is just how different the reception has been to microtransactions inDragon’s Dogma 2compared toHelldivers 2.
Why The Reception to Dragon’s Dogma and Helldivers' Microtransactions Have Been So Different
While many fans have been avidlydefendingHelldivers 2’s microtransactionsfor the last few months, many of those same players are now admonishing the same practices inDragon’s Dogma 2, and it’s a rather complex situation to break down. It seems as though one of the biggest reasons behind the starkly different reactions to both games is their associated price.
WhileHelldivers 2is just $40,Dragon’s Dogma 2is a full $70 release and one of Capcom’s first to boot.
The difference in reactions also seems to be heavily based on the types of games thatHelldiversandDragon’s Dogmaare.Helldivers 2is a live-service multiplayer game, where battle passes and in-game currencies are simply part and parcel of the genre.Dragon’s Dogma 2, on the other hand, is a strictly single-player RPG, where players aren’t expecting the developers to be consistently working on new content over time.
Another major factor behindDragon’s Dogma 2’s controversyis that its microtransactions weren’t properly detailed before release, therefore suggesting that Capcom had been a little deceitful. In all fairness, these microtransactions really aren’t necessary purchases. Arrowhead, on the other hand, has always been very upfront aboutHelldivers 2’s microtransactions and continues to be.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
