Japanese video game developers seem to like taking a 10-year hiatus, as both Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Digimon are now marking their return with a new game and more. While the release of Dragon’s Dogma 2 seems set in June 2022, during the 10-year celebration of the original game, the plan eventually fell through, and we heard little of the game since.
However, in a surprising turn of events, during the Capcom Tokyo Game Show 2023 online program, Game Director Hideaki Itsuno revealed info about Dragon’s Dogma 2, including showing off footage from the game and even allowing fans to play the game. Furthermore, he even let slip that he took inspiration from an unlikely source. Could you guess it? Yes, it is GTA V.
Director Hideaki Itsuno Claims He Took Inspiration from The “Living World” of GTA V
In an interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Dragon’s Dogma 2 Game Director Hideaki Itsuno told them their primary focus was to build on the original with features that were impossible back in the original game. His points are valid, as from what little we saw in the event, Dragon’s Dogma 2 shares many similarities with the original game.
When asked about which other games inspired the studio, Itsuno revealed that it was not games from the fantasy RPG genre and it was Rockstar’s GTA V. He explained: “If I had to pick one other game that came out in the meantime, I would actually say GTA 5. I admired how they created a world in which it really felt like the NPCs were going about their lives independently of the player.”
Furthermore, he went off highlighting which specific feature really captured his attention. “All kinds of interesting emergent behaviour could happen whenever you were exploring the city, and all kinds of weird accidents felt like it would happen whether you were there or not. That feeling of a living world is something that I have definitely tried to achieve in Dragon’s Dogma 2.”
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Dragon’s Dogma 2 Reveals Vocations, Monster Cycle, and Combat Mechanics in Capcom TGS 2023 Showcase
Besides revealing his inspiration, Itsuno also showcased the many features we can expect in Dragon’s Dogma 2, such as the 4 starting vocations, a monster cycle for day and night and combat mechanics.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Vocations
If you may have forgotten, Dragon’s Dogma 2 will follow its predecessor as a single-player narrative-driven action RPG that places players in an immersive fantasy world with them as the Arisen. Players will start their journey in Dragon’s Dogma 2 by choosing their desired playstyle among the four initially available vocations.
- Fighter: The Fighter uses a sword to pierce through the ranks of the opposition and land-crushing blows while also utilising a shield to defend themselves and their teammates.
- Archer: Archers use a bow and arrow to strike opponents from a distance. They are experts at knocking down airborne opponents or unlocking brief windows for subsequent attacks after hitting an enemy’s weak places.
- Thief: Attacks with deadly swiftness, striking continuously with daggers held in both hands while displaying exceptional mobility. They attack, retreat rapidly, latch onto foes through gaps, and deal devastating damage. Thieves can take from both NPCs and enemies.
- Mage: Wielding a staff, the Mage offers support to their party in various ways, from launching magick attacks to offering enchantments that bolster party members’ weapons to casting healing spells.
After customising your main character (Arisen), you can select a party of up to three AI companions (Pawns) and lead them into battle. Moreover, you can choose a primary pawn, and you both can change the vocations at any time by visiting Vocation Guilds and unlocking new classes throughout the game. For example, the Magick Archer and Mystic Spearhand are only available to the main character.
- Magick Archer: The Magick Archer is a flexible class that uses magickal arrows. They can attack, heal teammates, or even learn a unique ability that unleashes a devastating strike across a large area in exchange for reducing their own maximum health.
- Mystic Spearhand: The Mystic Spearhand attacks adversaries close up or from a distance with punishing blows or spells that can immobilise enemies or hurl numerous objects at them. They do this by using their special Duospear.
Monster Cycle and Combat Mechanics
Moreover, Dragon’s Dogma 2 will have a day/night monster cycle, with some powerful monsters appearing only at night. Players who unfortunately get caught in the wilds at night can deploy a campfire to gain health, speak with companions (Pawns), and more.
For the combat aspect, the game will share many similarities to the prequel. For instance, you have a button for weak attacks and a button for heavy attacks, and then by holding down the left bumper, you have four skills to equip your own customisation of attacks and spells. Furthermore, there is no auto melee lock-on mechanic and dodge roll unless it is bound to your vocation.
Lastly, Dragon’s Dogma 2 revealed something new for combat mechanics with the hit-stop effect. It occurs when an enemy you are attacking is low on life, indicating that they are open to execution by hitting them with a strong attack. Even though it’s only a minor enhancement, it significantly increases how brutal and impactful the battle feels.
Also Read: 4 New Genshin Impact Weapons to Boost Your Genshin Impact Combat Experience
Final Thoughts
From an initial glance, Dragon’s Dogma 2 seemed like the same game as its prequel. It may seem like a strange and terrible approach, but it is not always bad as long as it continues to be weird for all the reasons its most ardent supporters have supported it for so long. What do you think? Will you find it disappointing if the game stays the same? Let us know on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is There a Release Date for Dragon’s Dogma 2?
Unfortunately, there is an exact release date portraying the launch of Dragon’s Dogma 2. However, there are speculations hinting it will be released sometime next year. Is it reliable? We can only wait and find out.
Will Dragon’s Dogma 2 Be Multiplayer?
The short answer is no. Dragon’s Dogma 2 will follow in its predecessor’s footsteps and focus on a solely single-player game. However, according to Hideaki Itsuno, the game will feel like co-op due to the game’s enhanced Pawn system, which he took inspiration from the NPCs in GTA V.
Is Dragon’s Dogma 2 Similar to Baldur’s Gate 3?
It may seem like a strange question, as Itsuno himself mentioned that it was his first time hearing that comparison after VGC posed it to him. While Itsuno did not spot any similarities between the two games, the dynamic and reactive conversations between party members in Baldur’s Gate 3 and Pawns in Drgaon’s Dogma 2 may give reason people may feel the game as similar.