Summary
After over a decade, fans are finally able to play the sequel to the 2012 cult classicDragon’s Dogma, and for better and for worse,Dragon’s Dogma 2looks and feels just like its predecessor did. While new systems and mechanics have obviously been added along with a brand new story, a new swathe of characters, and some shiny modern-age graphics,Dragon’s Dogma 2bears a very strong resemblance tothe 2012 original, and that’s going to both please a lot of die-hard fans, and potentially push away some series newcomers.
A fantasy open-world RPG,Dragon’s Dogma 2doesn’t play by a lot of the same rules as its competition, instead trading in tradition for innovation and a distinct sense of identity that won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but will really stand out to those who vibe with it. This core principle runs through pretty much all ofDragon’s Dogma 2, from its combat to its progression systems to its narrative to its party dynamic, and even its character dialogue, which is a bit of a hit-or-miss situation.
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Dialogue Is Both a Blessing and a Curse
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Dialogue Can Get a Little Grating
Being a sprawling open-world RPG filled with story content, it’s only natural thatDragon’s Dogma 2has more than its fair share of NPC dialogue. From idle chatter between citizens on a street corner, to store vendors loudly announcing their wares, to important NPCs discussing the outcome of a main story quest, dialogue is near-constant inDragon’s Dogma 2, much like it is in many other RPGs. However, what setsDragon’s Dogma 2’s dialogueapart from the rest is its unique style, with NPCs choosing to adopt an almost Shakespearean way of speaking.
Almost every line of dialogue inDragon’s Dogma 2features some kind ofpseudo-Early Modern English, often boiled down to the addition of words like “methinks,” “mayhap,” “aught,” “tis,” and “twill,” to name just a few. These phrases are sprinkled liberally throughoutDragon’s Dogma 2’s dialogue, and their abundance can easily become frustrating.
This issue is made even worse when the player is traveling with a full party, wherein Pawns make constant comments using this awkward language and comments that players have already heard many times before.
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Dialogue Has Its Merits
But whileDragon’s Dogma 2’s old-timey dialoguecan get irritating very quickly, it isn’t without its charm. Though it feels out of place for the most part, every now and thenDragon’s Dogma 2’s dialogue does fit its medieval fantasy setting well, when it’s being used sparingly and the phrase choices actually fit properly with the context of what the NPC is trying to convey. In these moments,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s dialogue does a decent job of immersing players further into this unique fantasy world.
These out-of-place voice lines also go a long way in reinforcingDragon’s Dogma 2’s cult charm. For long-time fans of the series,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s quirky dialogue won’t come as a surprise, with the first game being littered with the same type of language, and it feeling just as strange. But just like the rest ofDragon’s Dogma’s unique quirks, these voice lines soon became infamous in-jokes and one of the contributing factors behind its climb to cult classic status. There’s the potential now for that same thing to happen once again withDragon’s Dogma 2.
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.
