Review: Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen - The Same Magic, Much More Dangerous

A review copy was provided by Capcom.

There is something both funny and sad about returning to a game after two and a half years with a level 70 character and what used to be some of the best gear available, only to discover that a few basic wolves can wipe you out in seconds. True, the first encounter in Norgan is a scripted fight, but I quickly found out that the wolves roaming the open world aren't particularly impressed by my character either.

Dark Arisen, the new expansion for Dragon's Dogma 2, brings us back to one of the most controversial RPGs of recent years. The original game managed to annoy quite a few players at launch with performance issues, microtransactions in a full-priced title, and several divisive design choices. Since then, the game has undergone a long series of updates and improvements, making the current version significantly more polished and richer than what we got at launch. Now Capcom returns with a new region, additional dungeons, and a difficulty level that reminds us just how dangerous this world can be. Anyone who loved the original game will immediately feel at home. They should just prepare to die a lot along the way.

Welcome to Norgan, You Are Going to Die

The new region, Norgan, takes us north to snowy landscapes, dangerous monsters, and a new adventure that tries to remind us of our place in the world. While the original game made sure to emphasize how special we are as the Arisen, the expansion actually enjoys showing us how small and insignificant we are against the forces at work in this world. The story itself is nice, with enough mystery to pull us forward, but it is definitely not the main reason to play. The real star remains the open world, and this time there is plenty to explore. Norgan offers interesting areas, secrets, and numerous battles, successfully delivering that same sense of adventure that made the original game so great.

Visually, this is mostly a change of scenery. The game still looks great thanks to its art direction and impressive landscapes, even if it is starting to feel a bit dated from a technical standpoint. However, the biggest change is felt in the difficulty level. Even with a level 70 character and advanced gear, I found myself dying over and over again. Even the very first weapon I managed to get from the blacksmith had damage stats nearly double those of my endgame weapon. It is important to clarify that the new difficulty stems mainly from a significant increase in enemy health and damage output. I did not feel any substantial change in the required tactics or monster behavior. The result is quite punishing, especially for anyone returning to the game after a long break who needs to relearn its complex mechanics. On the other hand, as you progress, get stronger, and remember how to play, things become more manageable.

Alongside Norgan, Dark Arisen adds 12 new dungeons called Lost Rites, which are scattered across the original world. These dungeons were significantly easier than the challenges waiting for me in Norgan, but their rewards make them almost mandatory. In them, you can obtain gear and items called Offering Flames, which are used to unlock new upgrades and abilities. These are the exact things you will need to survive the tougher challenges in the expansion. The new gear system also adds a layer of randomness through Relic Appraisal, where unidentified loot turns into equipment with variable stats. Personally, I have never been a big fan of RNG systems, especially when looking for a specific item for a character build, but it certainly adds a reason to keep exploring and fighting. This is where the fantastic combat system of Dragon's Dogma 2 shines once again. There is something about it that feels like a more accessible version of Monster Hunter, especially in battles against giant monsters and bosses. The ability to climb on enemies, exploit their weak points, and fight alongside your Pawns still delivers great moments.

One of my main disappointments with the expansion is the balancing of the classes, the Vocations. Despite the many updates and changes the game has received over the years, there is still a clear meta that makes truly free choice difficult. I returned to the game as a Warfarer, a class that allows you to combine multiple weapon types and abilities, but in Norgan I found it particularly limited. The inability to use Maister abilities, alongside the reliance on expensive new gear for several weapon types, makes it a much less attractive option for me. Ultimately, I went back to playing as a Thief, the class I used the most even as a Warfarer anyway. I would have liked to use the expansion to experiment more with the magical classes, but even after the improvements, they still feel weak to me compared to the other options. The Trickster, unfortunately, still struggles to justify being picked. The game offers so many classes, yet in practice I find myself returning to the same one because of the power gaps between them. It is hard not to feel that Capcom missed an opportunity here, especially after having two and a half years to address the balancing.

On the other hand, the Pawns system continues to excel. Your party members behave well, contribute to battles, and manage to preserve one of the most unique and successful features of the series. It is a shame that class balancing did not receive more significant attention. Dragon's Dogma 2 drew a lot of criticism for its performance at launch, mainly on PC. Personally, even when I played it close to release, I did not encounter most of the issues others complained about. Even so, returning to the game today presents a significantly improved picture. During my playthrough on PC, I did not notice a single minor frame drop. The experience was completely smooth, and the numerous updates that have arrived over the past two and a half years have made the game richer and more convenient, with more options and mechanics. It is worth remembering that some of these improvements arrived in updates to the base game, so not all of them are part of the paid expansion.

The Bottom Line

Dark Arisen isនិexactly what I wanted to get in an expansion for a game I loved. It delivers more of the world of Dragon's Dogma 2, with new areas to explore, dungeons, gear, and plenty of action. The high difficulty level brings back the sense of danger even for veteran players, even though the way it is achieved feels a bit artificial. I would have liked to see better balance between the classes and more significant innovations to the combat system, but the foundation of Dragon's Dogma 2 is still great. For Monster Hunter fans and those who enjoyed the original game, the battles against large monsters continue to be one of the most enjoyable experiences in the genre, even when a single mistake separates you from the loading screen. Overall, Dark Arisen offers good value for anyone looking for more adventures in this world. Those who did not connect with the original game will likely find the same issues here, this time with much stronger enemies. I, for one, was happy to return. Even if the wolves were less happy to see me.