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A different breed of a fantasy RPG

A different breed of a fantasy RPG

Vote: (15 votes)

Program license: Paid

Developer: Capcom

Works under: Windows

Vote:

Program license

(15 votes)

Paid

Developer

Capcom

Works under:

Windows

Pros

  • Significantly improved technical performance on PC
  • Dynamic and flexible combat system with diverse vocations
  • Vast open-world filled with various creatures and quests
  • Enhanced graphics bring new life to the game's intricate designs

Cons

  • Lacks new content beyond the original Dark Arisen expansion
  • Fast travel system may still be cumbersome for some players
  • Occasionally feels empty, impacting the world immersion
  • Some narrative elements and NPC interactions remain lackluster

A Fresh Adventure Awaits

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen for PC brings a captivating blend of dynamic combat and an expansive world ripe for exploration. Released four years after its initial debut on consoles, this iteration of the ambitious open-world fantasy RPG introduces technical enhancements and gameplay optimizations, inviting both new adventurers and returning fans to experience the mythical realm of Gransys in a refreshed format.

Expansive Open-World Experience

Originally, Capcom ventured into uncharted territory with Dragon's Dogma, easing away from their more familiar linear gameplay structure to embrace an open-world environment. This transition resulted in a game that exudes an ambition to recreate the enchantment of expansive RPGs like The Elder Scrolls series. In terms of scale and the frequency of electrifying, fast-paced combat, Dragon's Dogma dutifully delivers. However, it notably grapples with creating a consistently engaging narrative thread—a shortfall that stems from a world sometimes marred by desolation, technical flaws, and NPCs dispensing less compelling quests.

The Dark Arisen expansion, primarily set on the treacherous Bitterblack Isle, adds new content but isn't exempt from criticism, as some players found it to lean towards a more linear experience compared to the base game's open-endedness. Nonetheless, it succeeded in rectifying bugs, expanding the repertoire of skills, and introducing novel items.

PC Performance Enhancements

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen shines brightest when evaluating its performance on PC. A noticeable leap from its console origin, the game has achieved substantial improvements in visual fidelity and technical fluidity. Enhanced resolutions lay bare the meticulous details poured into the environment and special effects, which serve as testament to the developers' commitment to visual quality. Moreover, the ease of navigating the vast terrains, swifter area loading times, and an uninterrupted shift from exploration to combat all point to a more polished experience.

Thrilling Combat Dynamics

The crux of appeal for Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen lies in its exhilarating combat mechanics. The game pits players against an array of mythological adversaries, each encounter demanding a strategic understanding of the battlefield. With a roster of three fundamental vocations—Mage, Fighter, and Strider—augmented by nine hybrid classes, the combat system provides ample tactical versatility.

Your entourage, known as Pawns—customizable companions created by you and the community—play an essential role in skirmishes. These allies fill various battlefield roles, ranging from healing to ranged attacks and frontline distractions. Particularly gripping are the moments you engage larger foes, like scaling a cyclops to deliver a devastating blow. The liberty to choose and tailor your combat approach enriches the overall gameplay immensely.

Points to Ponder

Despite the improvements in performance and user experience (such as the option to reduce Pawn chatter), this re-release presents no substantial additions to Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen's core gameplay or storyline. Fundamental mechanics, including the original's contentious fast travel system, remain largely unaltered. As a result, those who have journeyed through Dragon's Dogma on consoles may find the PC version familiar territory with a polished veneer.

Final Verdict

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen for PC is an invigorated take on an already sprawling and action-packed RPG. The technical advancements make a notable impact, enhancing not just the visuals but also the overall fluidity of play. While it does not reinvent or substantially expand upon the pre-existing content, it reinforces the foundation, making it an alluring proposition for newcomers and a tempting revisitation for the devoted.

Pros

  • Significantly improved technical performance on PC
  • Dynamic and flexible combat system with diverse vocations
  • Vast open-world filled with various creatures and quests
  • Enhanced graphics bring new life to the game's intricate designs

Cons

  • Lacks new content beyond the original Dark Arisen expansion
  • Fast travel system may still be cumbersome for some players
  • Occasionally feels empty, impacting the world immersion
  • Some narrative elements and NPC interactions remain lackluster