[PlayStation 3] Dragon's Dogma

[Yuuichi]

First review I ever done so pointers and tips appretiated.

Dragons Dogma Review

On May 22, 2012 Capcom released Dragons Dogma. This game came out to mixed reviews. Many people outside of Japan have been waiting for some kind of Monster Hunter type game on their home consoles (not counting Wii of course). When it was released many people thought of Dragons Dogma as a Monster Hunter clone, then where presently surprised at how different this game was. As someone who made 2 extra PSN account, and bought the Xbox version for a grand total of beating the game 10 times I feel I am very familiar with the game and its ups and downs.
Dragons Dogma is the story of the return of a Dragon to destroy the world. You are The Arisen who was chosen by the Dragon to attempt to defeat it. You have companions called Pawns who help you with your journey. You have your own pawn that you can choose class, and outfit with different equipment, while the rest of your Pawns are gotten via Rift Crystals where you enlist other players Pawns. These Pawns are soulless beings that belong to no realm. You have a variety of tactics to choose from to make them run head first into battle, or search the area for items. The game uses a day and night system. During night you will encounter different monster than you normally would. It is also dark, very very dark. For this reason you have a lantern that illuminates a radius around you. Now to break down the basics of the game.

Graphics
Dragons Dogma will not win any best graphics ever award, however they are pretty on the eyes. There are a few spots in the open world where you can notice some pixels. The spell animations are beautiful; just do not expect FF13 style graphics. The game med use of graphics is so that you do not experience frame rate drop. Fighting a giant dragon breathing flames while your pawns cast magic can tend to do a number, but thankfully in my plays I never notice frame rate drop. The menus are split up into sub categories and are very easy to maneuver. Final Score graphics 3/5 could be better, but could be worse. Looks good on both PS3 and Xbox 360.

Story
Here is will Dragons Dogma drops the ball. The story is average at best. You meet characters, help a few in escort missions, but overall they are forgetful. The main story has a few shining OMG moments, but overall it just lacks that something that makes it special. After you beat the main protagonist you start the real ending. This caught a few people by surprised and was what brought the story to average instead of not good. The special thing about the real ending is after the first game every time you do real ending the final boss changes. I thought this was a unique thing to have. You do get to have a “lover” in the game. You raise their affection by doing quest that involves them, and giving gifts. Final Story 3/5. The real ending saves the story.

Combat/Gameplay
This is the heart and soul of Dragons Dogma. Combat is real time. When you start you choose a basic class, then after a certain point you can unlock other classes even hybrids. Most classes have two different weapons to use. For example a thief had dagger and bow, while a warrior has shield and sword. You choose one by holding down the R1 or L1 and the attacks change. Each class has a great feel for it. The max lvl is 200, but after 100 you plateau in stats. With pawns it is important to find ones that compliment your play style. Keep in mind aside from your own pawn, other pawns gotten through the rift DO NOT level up with you so switch out often. In combat you have two weapons to use depending on your class. For large monster you can climb up on them and attack certain parts of their body’s. This limb target is a key in Dragons Dogma. Bringing a big monster to the ground allows you to deal more damage. For monsters like Chimera you can kill snake tail and goats head on back making the fight easier. Each monster has a weakness and is up to you to find out what it is and exploit it. Now the biggest complaint is there is no fast travel for most of your first play through. Be prepared to run back and forth. You unlock an item later to fast travel, but it is expensive and mostly made for a second play though unless your rich. The day and night cycles are the best I have ever seen. usually at "night" in games you can still see just fine, this one not so much. You have to use the lantern to be able to see the radius around you. Sure you could go hardcore with out it, but the game does a good job of making sure you do not see mobs outside of radius. The monster you fight are tougher than in the day time so if your low level you will want to avoid night. Final Gameplay/combat 5/5. This is where the game shines.

Sound
Dragons Dogma takes a page out of Dark Souls/Demons Souls with sound. Very rarely is music playing and that is mostly in towns. Out in the world you get combat music sometimes, but it is very subtle and basic. The times music is playing it is good. They did not take a fancy 400 piece orchestra route, and the music will not win any awards, but it was good. Final Sound 4/5. Just short of great.


The good
-Top notch combat
-Plenty of monster varieties
-Plenty of Class choices
-Rare hunters will have fun getting every item.
The Bad
-Story is just ok
-Characters are forgettable
-Graphics could be a little better

Conclusion 8/10

[DarkVincent07]

I love dragons dogma but I agree, the story and the characters are incredibly bland. I really liked my character as she was a badass magic archer

I recommend the game to anyone. Good review


Via Tapatalk

[Sir_Scud]

I never knew anything about this game before. Nice write up. I do like games where the story can be altered in some way, so that sounds cool. As a story driven player, would this game be good for me if I value story before gameplay?

[Yuuichi]

I never knew anything about this game before. Nice write up. I do like games where the story can be altered in some way, so that sounds cool. As a story driven player, would this game be good for me if I value story before gameplay?

Unfortuantly no. The story plays out the same every time and is very lack luster. It is worth two play through because the ending was very good, but rest of story lacked. I say if you got extra money and it is cheap get it for story.

[F34R]

I knew Yuuichi would give us a good review... good job !

[DarkVincent07]

I fired up this game again today. and my GOD is night time just horrifying! I always get owned by all the crazy OP beats ><

[Fenix]

IMHO, there is no story to speak of. I'm hoping the expansion next year(?) rectifys that.

I fired up this game again today. and my GOD is night time just horrifying! I always get owned by all the crazy OP beats ><

I rarely went out at night till I was pretty much over powered, the shit that chills in them forests are not to be fucked up. >_>

[DarkVincent07]

What class did you play as?

[Fenix]

If I recall right, I chose the ranging classes - while I had a main pawn that was a mage. I still recall the enemy changes at the end of the game, I hated walking around after that lol

[DarkVincent07]

If I recall right, I chose the ranging classes - while I had a main pawn that was a mage. I still recall the enemy changes at the end of the game, I hated walking around after that lol

Yeah I went down the path of a magic archer. I had an awesome bow and the arrows were various spells. So much fun. Being a small female character was a blast too because she was really nimble.

[Cybertox]

I can already give you a tip, you spelled appreciated wrong in your first sentence of the review

[Yuuichi]

I can already give you a tip, you spelled appreciated wrong in your first sentence of the review

haha that is odd because I typed it in MS word and spelled check before I copy and paste.