Summary
Dragon’s Dogmahas always been an infamously tricky game to master. Its unique gameplay mechanics, lack of hand-holding, and unfamiliar open world all make for a complex experience. Add to that notoriously clunky combat with comicallyunreliable AI companions, and the end result isDragon’s Dogma— a challenge that even some of the most hardcore gamers struggle to remain committed to. This is really the primary reason it is only regarded as a cult classic rather than a mainstream hit, but it has nonetheless achieved enough widespread success to justify its sequel,Dragon’s Dogma 2, in 2024.
Dragon’s Dogma 2, which happens to be one of 2024’s most anticipated games, has finally been released and could be considered more of a remake than a sequel due to its stubborn yet venial grip on its past. For the most part, it maintains the mechanical structure of its twelve-year-old predecessor, though it hasn’t neglected to add new features here and there, like a larger open world and some new character classes. As such, it also comes with a reasonably steep learning curve that tends to drive gamers away. However, this learning curve arguably makes the game the experience it is. Without it,Dragon’s Dogmamight cease beingDragon’s Dogma. Furthermore, it could be argued thatDragon’s Dogma 2’s learning curve is not of its own doing but of the players who fail to give it time.
In Defense of Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Learning Curve
Dragon’s Dogma Takes Time to Master
IfDragon’s Dogmatook time to master, then so willDragon’s Dogma 2. Though it could be said that any game takes time to learn,Dragon’s Dogmais often considered to be on a different level. Like another hit franchise by Capcom,Monster Hunter,Dragon’s Dogmaabides by a particular set of rules that can’t be found inother role-playing games. In more ways than one,Dragon’s Dogmadefies the open-world RPG mold and could be considered its own species instead, so it almost demands a certain amount of respect from its players.
Dragon’s Dogma’s mechanicsare so intricate and complex that its lack of hand-holding doesn’t seem like a suitable partner for it. Newcomers whose firstDragon’s Dogmaexperience is the sequel shouldn’t jump into the game expecting it to be the streamlined experience that many modern RPGs are. There is no compass, there are very few map icons, each vocation has its own distinct and complicated playstyle, and its renowned emergent gameplay can put naive players in fatal situations almost instantly. Still,Dragon’s Dogmaknows how challenging it can be, and it’s more than willing to reward anyone who can endure its uniqueness.
Dragon’s Dogma’s Learning Curve Is a Crucial Part of Its DNA
Dragon’s Dogma 2has likely been such an anticipated title for a couple of reasons. First,open-world RPGsare highly appealing in modern gaming, so, at first glance, unaware onlookers might seeDragon’s Dogma 2as the nextSkyrim. On the contrary,Dragon’s Dogma 2simultaneously looks like an experience unlike anything else. The honest truth is that it truly is unlike anything else, but it accomplishes that individuality through its learning curve, much like theDark Soulsseries has done for itself. IfDragon’s Dogmawere to adopt the expected mold, it would no longer beDragon’s Dogma.
Commonplace open-worldRPG features like unlimited fast travel, a map full of icons, helpful hand-holding, and basic character classes can’t be found inDragon’s Dogmaor its successor. Instead, players get an uncommon experience inDragon’s Dogmathat deserves to remain uncommon for the sake of its own identity. Patience and endurance are key inDragon’s Dogma 2, andthey always pay off. WhileDragon’s Dogma 2might not be for everyone, it can prove to be more than worth the investment to those it was developed for.
