Over a decade after 2012's Dragon's Dogma, a sequel is finally on the horizon. While the preview trailers and videos have shown exciting new environments and classes, like keeping old features like the Pawn system, there are a few things we're still hoping to see from the full release of Dragon's Dogma 2.
To start with, We hope Capcom continues with its experiments with the class system. The classes (or vocations) revealed so far have been a blend of the old and the new. Though the Fighter, Mage and Magick Archer return, the Mystic Knight has become the Mystic Spearhand with a new weapon. Meanwhile the Strider in Dragon's Dogma 2 has been split into Thief and Archer classes that focus on melee and ranged attacks, respectively. These seem minor changes, but could be signs that larger ones are on the table.
For example, the splitting of the Strider into two classes might also mean more advanced vocations in Dragon's Dogma 2. Previously there was both an advanced version of each base class (like the Warrior or Sorcerer), and 3 hybrids combining 2 base classes each (such as the Magick Archer being part Strider, part Mage). Even with the Magick Archer likely the combination of Mage and Archer, that leaves combos like Archer and Fighter open, or even for Thief and Archer to recombine into Strider as an advanced class.
Then there's the duospear weapon, which didn't exist in the original Dragon's Dogma. If there's one new weapon, theres the potential for more. We may have already seen one, as the first trailer shows a magic-user wielding some kind of flail or censer in order to cast a spell. Weapons for the original advanced vocations like the Greatsword, which we've also seen in the trailers, were something of an evolution or variation of the base classes' weapon. In this case, discarding the Fighter's shield to focus on offense. Following that mode of thought, the censer could be an area-focused variation of the staff for the advanced Mage vocation, while perhaps the advanced Archer might wield a less maneuverable crossbow or early firearm as a weapon.
Moving on from classes, I'm hoping for more endgame content like the Everfall, Dragonforging or even Bitterblack Isle, which was added in the Dark Arisen expansion. These were meaty dungeons or activities that served as sources of improved gear, as well as new challenges to take on after clearing the story. It's entirely possible something like this might be saved for DLC later down the line, but I'm hoping there'll still be some surprises to explore after the story is complete in the base edition of Dragon's Dogma 2.
The Pawn system returns from the first game and, while I think full multiplayer is likely off the table, it would be nice to see an expansion on the social aspect. For those unfamiliar, Dragon's Dogma has you adventuring with a party of four. You design your player character and a computer-controlled companion called a Pawn. The final two slots in the party are filled by other Pawns, either default ones made by the developers or the Pawns of other players. How you oufit your Pawn for battles, how you direct them or talk to them, even what quests you've completed with them, can all influence how they behave when someone else recruits your Pawn to help in their adventures.
Sometimes you might find a Pawn that really compliments your playstyle, or knows just how to help you through a tricky quest you're stuck on. Then later on, you might meet the same Pawn again, and see how their master has developed them over the course of the game. You can even send gifts or messages back to the Pawn's master when you dismiss them! This is a really unique system that begs to be expanded upon, either through new ways to develop Pawns or to interact with people through them.
Above all we just hope Dragon's Dogma 2 keeps some of the obtuse weirdness that made the first game so memorable. We've seen that the Pawns are just as chatty as they were before, but we're also hoping the game retains oddities like the romance selection system, which could result in various merchants or even the court jester being chosen as the player character's beloved if they had high enough affection. Then there's the fast travel, which was expensive and infrequent in the original release before being made more usable in Dark Arisen. While Capcom has already shown off the Ox-cart system for travelling long distances, I hope they don't make other fast travel options like Portcrystals too convenient until at least late game. Having to find your way around the environments on foot meant you got to know them better and made shortcuts more meaningful, though it's a fine line between familiarity and frustration.
Of course, it's entirely possible Capcom has very different plans for what direction it wants to take the game in, but these are just some of the things I'm hoping to see. A lot of what Capcom has been showing off so far for Dragon's Dogma 2 has been extremely promising, but in the end we'll have to wait for release day to see what's in store for our Arisen.
Dragon's Dogma 2 is headed to PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. A recent leak revealed an apparent release date of March 22, 2024.
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