Dragon’s Dogma 2 brought me back to its sprawling, dark fantasy world, with an intricate mix of action, exploration, and story that largely builds on the foundations laid down by its predecessor. While the sequel improves on many aspects of the original’s gameplay and world-building, it introduces a controversial element (ahem, microtransactions) that has caused controversy among players, spoiling the overall experience.

Exploring the vast world of Dragon's Dogma 2 is an adventure in itself. The game presents a meticulously detailed landscape, from towering mountains to dark dungeons, each filled with its own dangers and secrets. The thrill of exploration continued as I navigated treacherous terrain, encountered diverse wildlife, and discovered hidden treasures.

Unlike many modern RPGs, Dragon’s Dogma 2 emphasizes manual exploration over convenient, fast travel. This design choice was intended to encourage me to delve deeper into the world, planning routes and strategies for long journeys. While this adds a layer of realism and immersion, it could also lead to moments of frustration, particularly when I was forced to repeatedly traverse the same areas due to the game’s sparse fast-travel options. Fortunately, the Ox Wagon did a great job of offering me a ride to some of the more popular destinations, making for an ultimately enjoyable experience.

Combat in Dragon’s Dogma 2 is beautiful in its simplicity, offering a deep, engaging system that rewards skill and strategy. I was able to choose from several different professions (classes), each with their own unique abilities and playstyles, which allowed for a highly customizable combat experience. I started out as a simple fighter, but throughout my adventures I swapped between several other professions, including archer, thief, and mystic spearman, all of which had their pros and cons for me. Eventually, I returned to warrior, preferring the sheer thrill of striking multiple opponents with my massive sword. Combat was intense and required me to understand my enemies’ weaknesses and adjust my tactics accordingly. I especially enjoyed throwing rocks and pushing other large boulders at enemies when I happened to hit them at a disadvantage.