Capcom Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

[20 Eyes]

So Dragon's Dogma is a good buy?

I'd say it's a great buy. I almost never buy games at full price, but I rushed out and got this one after reading about it and I don't regret it. If you like action RPGs, you'll definitely get your money's worth. It's not without faults, but it's one of those precious few games these days that is actually fun to play.

I'd recommend staying away from spoilers and guides, because a big part of this game (for me, anyway) is the sense of adventure.

 

[DragoFireheart]

So Dragon's Dogma is a good buy?

I'd say it's a great buy. I almost never buy games at full price, but I rushed out and got this one after reading about it and I don't regret it. If you like action RPGs, you'll definitely get your money's worth. It's not without faults, but it's one of those precious few games these days that is actually fun to play.

I'd recommend staying away from spoilers and guides, because a big part of this game (for me, anyway) is the sense of adventure.

How much locked on-disc DLC is there?

 

[Hobo Elf]

Some, but it's shitty content. Lame fetch quests and some items that are out classed by other items later on.

 

[20 Eyes]

So Dragon's Dogma is a good buy?

I'd say it's a great buy. I almost never buy games at full price, but I rushed out and got this one after reading about it and I don't regret it. If you like action RPGs, you'll definitely get your money's worth. It's not without faults, but it's one of those precious few games these days that is actually fun to play.

I'd recommend staying away from spoilers and guides, because a big part of this game (for me, anyway) is the sense of adventure.

How much locked on-disc DLC is there?

Seems to be quite a bit, and it's bullshit. I dislike Capcom as a company, but my desire to play this overrode that dislike. I regret nothing. They did say they'd reevaluate their DLC policy after this game, but what actually happens is anyone's guess.

The good, or bad, part is none of it seems particularly good so you probably won't feel compelled to buy it. I just ignore it. Maybe if they add substantial DLC later (new areas, new vocations), I'll bite if it's reasonably priced.

 

[DragoFireheart]

Well, if it's shitty locked content I'll feel less bad about buying the game.

 

[Damned Registrations]

A friend of mine got it. A bunch of the stuff was more dressup stuff (hair/skin colours etc.) and a bunch of DLC quests that were all 'Find the (DLC) token! Reward: 10,000 RC' which seem pretty pointless.

And the aforementioned weapons. The stats on them are nothing amazing though. They have some Foo bane effects, but most are retarded (goblin bane! Because those are hard to kill amirite?)

 

[DragoFireheart]

Oh good, that makes me feel much better. I'll go buy a used copy or something.

 

[TheLostOne]

If you can afford it, buy it new somewhere. It's one of the few games out in the last couple years that's worth it. I've already sunk more time in it than any game in a while. I almost always buy used games, but I really suggest encouraging the development of games like this.

Edit -

Regarding the difficulty: the game's challenging in parts and not so much in others. It really makes you feel powerful as you level your vocations and get new abilities, but there are still hard fights. As a sorcerer I was able to destroy things if I had the time and space to get some spells off, but bandit archers on a ledge, or a swarm of hellhounds could fuck me up.

Post game dungeon has some very difficult fights. One room with a Chimera, a Gorechimera and a lich summoning hellhounds really fucked my world up.

 

[DragoFireheart]

But Capcom's on-disc locked content pisses me off.

Besides, I might go pick up Dark Souls instead.

 

[Jasede]

You must; everyone must.
:marketing shill:

 

[Tommers]

But Capcom's on-disc locked content pisses me off.

Besides, I might go pick up Dark Souls instead.

Oh god play dark souls first. This is a good game but that is a different level. One of the best games I have ever played.

I keep seeing bits about DLC in this. I bought it new, do I get it automatically? Or do I need to download it? Not that I'm bothered but you know.

 

[Hobo Elf]

You might have missed some of the DLC content if you can't find it. Yes, they made it possible for you to miss out on the DLC content. You have to do them at specific times or they get cancelled.

 

[Tommers]

You might have missed some of the DLC content if you can't find it. Yes, they made it possible for you to miss out on the DLC content. You have to do them at specific times or they get cancelled.

OMG. Seriously? So I don't get it cos I paid full price ON THE WRONG DAY?? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

 

[Hobo Elf]

You might have missed some of the DLC content if you can't find it. Yes, they made it possible for you to miss out on the DLC content. You have to do them at specific times or they get cancelled.

OMG. Seriously? So I don't get it cos I paid full price ON THE WRONG DAY?? That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard.

No, I mean if you progress the story in-game you might be locked out from doing some quests. It happens to the regular quests too, but I think it's kind of retarded that it can happen to the DLC quests as well.

 

[Tommers]

Ah right. I misunderstood. I retract my OUTRAGE.

I just meant that I keep seeing adverts for it in game but can't see how to access it. If I look at the marketplace link there's just something about buying rift stones.

 

[SuicideBunny]

No, I mean if you progress the story in-game you might be locked out from doing some quests. It happens to the regular quests too, but I think it's kind of retarded that it can happen to the DLC quests as well.

wait, it can happen to the dlc quests? are there other dlc quests than the 100 find the marker quests, 'cos i don't see how those would be canceled by story progress..

 

[Hobo Elf]

No, I mean if you progress the story in-game you might be locked out from doing some quests. It happens to the regular quests too, but I think it's kind of retarded that it can happen to the DLC quests as well.

wait, it can happen to the dlc quests? are there other dlc quests than the 100 find the marker quests, 'cos i don't see how those would be canceled by story progress..

Yup, that's one of the things people complain about, other than them being redundant and lame.

 

[SuicideBunny]

redundant, lame, and you can only have 10 at a time plus the markers are only there when you're on the quest. i don't know wtf campcom was thinking... still, free xp and rc.

 

[TheLostOne]

redundant, lame, and you can only have 10 at a time plus the markers are only there when you're on the quest. i don't know wtf campcom was thinking... still, free xp and rc.

The DLC "quests" are available the entire game, even post-game. The board gets moved to underneath the pawn guild. Since they're scavenger quests, though, any that are in the residential section of Gran Soren are probably unobtainable post-game for major spoilerish reasons.

The DLC quests are retarded btw. There is no story behind them, just a scavenger hunt. No good rewards either. You really aren't missing out by not getting the DLC.

 

[Volourn]

Played some more.

I'm surprised there's not more crying about the silly bulletin board quests. When BIO does tyhem, people bash them as the 'worst quest giving system' ever despite the fact many DA/DA2 board quests actuially have some depth/backstory to them. Unlike the vast majority (if not all) the silly bulletin quests in DD. Not that I mind since if you don't like 'em, fukkin' avoid them. FFS

I also don't get why people whine about the escort quests. i find them pretty fun. I have never had an escorted peon die. My main issue is that they are slow at times. get a move on it, jerkwads!

I love the Witchwoods and the escort the hydra head to capital quest the most. Finally defeated the lizardfolk in the main town well. Muche asier with a party of 4 than 2. Heh. Too bad, the cave seems useless exscept for the acve in. I figure I need to blow up the rocks.

I like the idea of having certain quests close as the story progresses their choices do seem weird.

I absolutely fukkin' loathe the save system thoug. Or the fact thatb you can only have one character going at one time. L A M E

I know why i don't care for the non main pawns - it's because outside of combat they add shit and since you have no say in them nor do they level up; they mean shit. Main pawn is sweet. I already got oen perfect star rating of mine. R00fles!

Levelling is quick as I'm already level 18.

 

[20 Eyes]

Bulletin board quests are alright. The fetch quest ones sucks. For example the 'Find the Snakeskin Purse', I found it in my first game easily enough but it still hasn't appeared in my second. I'm only willing to spend so much time running along the river looking for a purse (20 hours, and not a minute more). But the Kill X of Y are cool because you can just accept them and work on them while you're doing other stuff. See some Y's other there? Kill them and get paid. It's easy and profitable.

Escort quests annoy me because sometimes the person you're escorting will run off to collect shit as you're trying to haul ass through the world. Mercedes' escort quest was fun, she's a tank and was fighting alongside the party. I don't mind them as much now because I just run as fast as I can while the escorted and my party teleport back to me.

 

[Hobo Elf]

The bulletin quests are shit tier, there's no arguing there. But as 20 Eyes said, the kill quests are decent-ish. You just take them and eventually you'll come across the enemies you have to kill, so it's kind of a "why not?" situation. I avoid the fetch and escort quests like the plague. Fuck them.

 

[Ebonsword]

I'm surprised there's not more crying about the silly bulletin board quests. When BIO does tyhem, people bash them as the 'worst quest giving system' ever despite the fact many DA/DA2 board quests actuially have some depth/backstory to them. .

The difference is that Bioware made their reputation on their writing, so it's not really exceptable for them to have boring, bland quests.

Dragon's Dogma, though, is all about wandering the world and stabbing giant monsters in the face, so people are less picky about the quests (at least I am).

Too bad, the cave seems useless exscept for the acve in. I figure I need to blow up the rocks.

If you go back later (I forget what triggers it), the cave-in will have disappeared on its own. Enjoy what ensues!!

I absolutely fukkin' loathe the save system thoug. Or the fact thatb you can only have one character going at one time. L A M E

I actually like the save system, since it makes you put more thought into the choices you make. For example, if you figure out that you made the "wrong" decision in a quest, you can't just reload a save from two hours previous and redo it.

As for having only one character, that is kind of annoying. But (at least on the PS3) you can get around it by setting up additional accounts.

 

[The Ticktockman]

Regarding the save system:

I was fighting the Griffon for the main quest at the Blue Moon (or something like that) tower, when a huge chunk of the floor I was standing on was torn out. Two of my three pawns died (both my magic users) and I fell down, figuring I would die too. Instead, I fell in the water and ended up being teleported back onto the battlements (a stupid game mechanic, but that's beside the point). I was down to 33 health and figured I'd die at any moment and go back to just before the fight with all my pawns back alive. Instead, I ran forward a little bit and triggered a saving checkpoint. I figured I was truly fucked, seeing as I still had a griffon to fight with no magic users to help me out (I was levelling an assassin and my only other pawn was a fighter). So I ate a couple of healing herbs to get my health partway back up and ran up some stairs to the final fight. I start slowly chipping away at the griffon's health when the coolest fucking thing happens. An NPC I had helped earlier to find some magical tome comes outta nowhere and says he'll use the tome to help me defeat the griffon. That fucker was dead within the next thirty seconds.

What makes it so cool is that when you do that NPC's quest to get him the magical tome, you have the option to make a forgery of it and give him the fake one, leaving the real one to yourself. But if I had done that, he wouldn't have been able to help me and I would have had a very tough fight on my hands. Instead, I did the goody-two-shoes thing and several hours later it payed off in a completely unexpected way.

My point is, I wouldn't have appreciated it half as much if the save system didn't work the way it does, adding that extra tension.

 

[Hobo Elf]

The only problem with the save system, at least auto save, is that it's sloooooooooooooow. Takes ages to advance 7 days in time for the Drake to spawn back.