By Reece Merryweather-Brown
Dragon’s Dogma is an action-RPG by Capcom (who I still think did a good job on Bionic Commando, regardless of what others say). I will say this just to start; it’s not original. It’s your typical story; you are the fabled hero of old, the "Arisen"/Dragonborn. You have an immense power that you can use to slay the mystical dragon that plagues Cassardis/Skyrim, in the form of commanding pawns/Shouting. But aside from that the game is very enjoyable, with a lot of unique features.
Dragon’s Dogma is an action-RPG by Capcom (who I still think did a good job on Bionic Commando, regardless of what others say). I will say this just to start; it’s not original. It’s your typical story; you are the fabled hero of old, the "Arisen"/Dragonborn. You have an immense power that you can use to slay the mystical dragon that plagues Cassardis/Skyrim, in the form of commanding pawns/Shouting. But aside from that the game is very enjoyable, with a lot of unique features.
One great thing about this game is (most of the time, depending on your class) being able to realistically scale both structures (not by jumping repeatedly, Bethesda) and the gigantic creatures that you have to take down throughout the course of the game. Sprinting off a ledge and leaping onto the back of a troll so that you can plant a blade in its unprotected eye is one of the most rewarding and amazingly epic feats that you can ever do in video-gaming.
Another great thing about this game is its realism. Most RPGs, or at least the ones I’ve played, depend mainly on certain skills of the enemy and yourself to decide whether you hit or get hit, with dodging being largely out of the question. However in this it focuses a lot more on the ability of the player, being able to move much faster is one of your assets and you've got time to move out of the way of attacks, rather than hoping to God your HP can take the hits.
Alduin eat your heart out.
Elemental effects also greatly improve the gameplay. For instance, if one of your teammates is drenched in water (maybe you accidentally picked him up and threw him in a lake) then they’ll be more susceptible to lightning attacks. If a gigantic monster has been drenched in oil, then the beast will be more prone to catching alight, creating a dazzling, screaming blaze.
Teamwork is, in addition, a key element of the game. Rather than your followers being, well, followers, these teammates actually do what they're supposed to do; work as a team.
For example, say you're fighting an ogre. They set on fire easily sure, but you've run out of fire arrows. Without even having to tell your mage (although bear in mind, you don't have to have a mage; it's your choice) he'll automatically grant your weapons the ability of being on fire. Before you know, that thing's a dazzling, screaming blaze once again. While pawns (your squadmates, essentially) can't really help each other, that's not what they're there to do. They're just there for your sake, and for your well-being. Now who can ask for better followers than that? Besides Faendal...
For example, say you're fighting an ogre. They set on fire easily sure, but you've run out of fire arrows. Without even having to tell your mage (although bear in mind, you don't have to have a mage; it's your choice) he'll automatically grant your weapons the ability of being on fire. Before you know, that thing's a dazzling, screaming blaze once again. While pawns (your squadmates, essentially) can't really help each other, that's not what they're there to do. They're just there for your sake, and for your well-being. Now who can ask for better followers than that? Besides Faendal...
Overall I love this game. It is, essentially, a better Skyrim with vastly improved AI and combat, and while there are a few annoyances (Goblins. Goblins everywhere) the point is that it's challenging. Whilst you may not see said annoyances in that way, the boss battles are genuinely difficult, and you know at the end of the day it's your fault you got killed by that thingy-mah-jig rather than your characters inability to move with any degree of speed or panache.
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