Capcom’sDragon’s Dogma 2is turning out to be one of the more polarizing releases of 2024, with many players abandoning the game for the very same reasons that others are finding it hard to pull away from. Like its predecessor,Dragon’s Dogma 2mixes satisfying combat with some very old-school RPG mechanics to present an experience that is far different from contemporaries likeThe Elder ScrollsorDark Souls. What many might not know about the game, though, is that it is intended to be a remake of sorts as much as it is a sequel to the originalDragon’s Dogma, which makes it an ideal candidate for a new take on theDark Arisenexpansion from the first game.
The originalDragon’s Dogma wasreleased in 2012 on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, with theDark Arisenversion arriving a year later. This newer version of the game not only included a slew of fixes to the base game and all the original DLC items, but also the endgame region: Bitterblack Isle. Located off the coast of the starting city of Cassardis, Bitterblack Isle was home to the game’s toughest bosses and greatest loot, andDragon’s Dogma 2’s endgamestands to receive a similar shot in the arm.
How Dark Arisen Dramatically Improved the Original Dragon’s Dogma
The original, vanilla release ofDragon’s Dogmawould quickly earn more than its fair share of dedicated fans thanks to its excellent combat and immersive world, but theDark Arisenversion is where the game reached a wider audience and cemented itself as a bonafide cult classic in the Capcom library. In addition to the newendgame area of Bitterblack Isle,Dark Arisen’s expansion to the base game included the entire full release ofDragon’s Dogmaalongside a slew of balance tweaks, bonus items, and system fixes. Some of these include:
The true star ofDark Arisen, though, is the inclusion of Bitterblack Isle, which puts the player to task with the game’s most challenging encounters in exchange for its greatest rewards. Players can even take on the game’s hidden super boss to defeat Death itself, securing the ultimate victory forthe Arisenand their allies. Unsurprisingly, as a result of the slew of improvements thatDragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisenmakes over the base game, it ended up being the version to receive ports on 8th-generation consoles.
What a Dark Arisen-Style Expansion Could Mean for Dragon’s Dogma 2
WithDragon’s Dogma 2effectively being both a sequel to andremake of the originalDragon’s Dogma, it would make perfect sense for the game to receive its own sizable expansion akin toDark Arisen. As far as what such an expansion should include, the most obvious answer is a brand-new endgame area that provides a significant challenge even for high-level players. The current endgame area inDragon’s Dogma 2, the Unmoored World,is populated with plenty of challenging mini-boss-type enemies. However, at the point that the player arrives there, they’re already going to steamroll through most threats with ease thanks to their raw stats.
In addition to a more challenging endgame area or new region on the map, aDark Arisen-style expansion toDragon’s Dogma 2should reward players in the same way that the original did by gifting them an Eternal Ferrystone to facilitate fast travel without resources other thanPortcrystals.Dragon’s DogmaandDragon’s Dogma 2both feature compelling exploration as a primary draw of their gameplay loops, but hamstringing the ability to fast-travel in the early hours of both games makes beginning the experience too tedious for some players. Providing a solution to the game’s fast-travel woes could go a long way in bringing back lapsed players.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
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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.
