Confession: By far, the best action RPG game is Elden Ring, however, this summerbut this summer I wanted to really dive deep into something that could create its own pocket universe—not just another Dark Souls or The Witcher clone. With Dragon’s Dogma 2 being called "Game of the Year" by so many, I knew if there was one game worth trying, it was this. Try I did, and 150+ hours later, I can't wait to pour my love for this game into this post. So if you’ve never tried Dragon's Dogma 2, I hope I can convince you to give it a shot. And if you have, I hope you enjoy what I share about why this game is a close second to Elden Ring for me.
1. Like I said, it doesn’t try to be another Elden Ring. Dragon's Dogma 2 has managed to create its own universe with a very unique internal logic and design, making it one-of-a-kind. So many times, I’ve ruled out an action RPG just two hours in because it felt like playing something I’d already experienced. But that feeling never came with Dragon's Dogma 2. Every moment felt fresh and very different from other open-world titles.
2. I know I’m not in the minority—many people like me enjoy open-world games for the chance to get lost in exploration or side quests. And exploration in Dragon's Dogma 2 happens in a way I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s so tempting to just pick a direction and keep wandering, and almost always, you’ll be rewarded. You’ll find hidden treasures, rare materials, or at least some of the 240 Seeker Tokens scattered across the world. So if the thrill of discovery keeps you going in games like this, then Dragon's Dogma 2 is definitely for you. Buy Dragons Dogma 2 at the cheapest prices on PS5.
3. Here’s something that may put some people off: there’s almost no way to fast travel in Dragon's Dogma 2. Maybe that’s why it took me so many hours, but I’m not complaining. Yes, you can sometimes rely on rare ferrystones and portcrystals, but overall, journeys aren’t something to take lightly in this game. There will be moments when it can be frustrating, but you soon realize it adds to the tension of what awaits you.
4. I love the plot. The central storyline revolves around the eternal cycle of the Arisen and the Dragon—a mix of Eastern narrative themes with Western fantasy. The big question is whether these cycles should be broken or perpetuated. Then there’s the twist that another Arisen already exists and has claimed the throne. I won’t say anything else.
5. What I decided as the Arisen really shaped how the kingdom and its people reacted to me, and this made me feel like I had real agency in the narrative of the game.
6. A word on enemy design in Dragon's Dogma 2—it’s great. I was always dealing with very smart enemies. Over time, they even started learning my strategies, which meant I had to keep changing my approach. You’ll face giant creatures, and you have to find their weak spots. Some of the challenges are unique, like having to climb a Chimera and strike at its head to take it down.
7. The game’s flexible vocation system is one of its key strengths. You can unlock vocations like Warrior or Sorcerer and switch between them at will, which helps keep combat fresh and exciting.
8. Now let me talk about the Pawn and party system. The Pawns in this game aren’t just AI followers—they have their own personalities. You can customize them, and soon you’ll develop an attachment to them. With some additional tweaks, it almost feels like you’re in a multiplayer environment, even though it’s single-player. You can get Pawns with very specific vocations, allowing you to take on different quests with a solid strategy.
So yes, this is my experience. Most players will be able to complete the main storyline and all side quests in under 100 hours, but for me, it took 150 hours because I’m that kind of player. But I will say, do what I did—give it time. I might even play it again.
