User Info: Phaild Phaild 8 years ago #1



Translated Review of Dragon's Dogma



A dragon's shadow



First we were corridor adventurers, then we took an arrow to the knee. Dragon's Dogma doesn't hold your hand, instead it lets you adventure as a free man in the free world.



Mammoth sized Gryphon flies tens of meters up in the air and Arisen clings on its back, cutting the wings with his sword. The knight exhausts his strength and desperation grows, as the arrow of his loyal Pawns only make the majestic creature even angrier. Luckily the hired mages prove to be worth Arisen's trust: A fireball hits the creature's chest and beast plummets to the ground. The knight rolls off its back and sinks his sword once more into the monster's throat, just in case.



The action RPG Dragon's Dogma truly suprised us. Capcom and the game's famous developers are known for linear games based on fancy action like Devil May Cry and Resident Evil. I thought I knew what to expect from Capcom's next potential hit, but instead I got a gorgeous action roleplaying adventure with handsome looking combat, intelligent partners, challenge and a free world.



Japan's game industry isn't stuck in its old traditions after all?



Dragon Game



Dragon's Dogma's appeal is in the open, vast and interesting fantasy world of Gransys, its atmosphere and epic scale rather than a gripping storyline. There isn't anything really wrong with the story either: After decades of peace, the personification of evil, the Red Dragon threatens the future of entire Gransys. When the dragon arrives, one person acquires the power and with it, the responsibility to slay the beast. The ordinary fisherman becomes Arisen, the saviour of Gransys.



The plot doesn't amaze with its originality, but the massive dragon is a juicy final boss and clearly the focal point of the story.



Even though Dragon's Dogma is completely Japanese production and behind it Capcom's most famous developers, the influences have been gathered from the West. Skyrim vibes are impossible to avoid. Gransys resembles dark middle ages, flavoured with magic and mythical monsters.



If knighthood, ser-titles, wild wolves of the north and references to old gods bring back memories from Songs of Fire and Ice, it's not a coincidence. Capcom admits that they've read George R.R Martin's fantasy series.



Only the hero's and role of the other adventurers is classic roleplaying stuff. They are easily understandable and functional, but not especially creative archetypes: close ranged fighter, archer, mage and their few variants.



Intelligent little kid!



AI controlled Pawns are the most notable thing in Dragon's Dogma. The pawns traveling in interdimensional rift are humanlike creatures who lack their own will. They follow the orders of humans, especially Arisen's commands slavishly. There are up to three pawns following Arisen, one being permanent and freely customizable partner who acquires experience and new skills like the playable character.



The party is complemented with the game's default pawns and more or less attractive characters borrowed through (internet)rift made by other players. These characters do not gain experience so they have to be traded out regularly. In addition to the mist filled dimension of the Rift Stones, the recruitable pawns wander the countryside and streets of the capital, Gran Soren.



Pawns do not only create atmosphere, they actually do something: They collect things and decide battles on their own. Of course, they won't survive long without Arisen's tactical support, but their active behaviour makes them feel like living individuals. The pawns follow simple come, attack and help commands. It is recommended to make them complement your own role, so I chose a female archer and two mages to fight alongside my fighter. Days left in Service: 0 / That's that

On you feet, come with me. We are soldiers, stand or die Source: Pelit (May issue 2012)Translated Review of Dragon's DogmaFirst we were corridor adventurers, then we took an arrow to the knee. Dragon's Dogma doesn't hold your hand, instead it lets you adventure as a free man in the free world.Mammoth sized Gryphon flies tens of meters up in the air and Arisen clings on its back, cutting the wings with his sword. The knight exhausts his strength and desperation grows, as the arrow of his loyal Pawns only make the majestic creature even angrier. Luckily the hired mages prove to be worth Arisen's trust: A fireball hits the creature's chest and beast plummets to the ground. The knight rolls off its back and sinks his sword once more into the monster's throat, just in case.The action RPG Dragon's Dogma truly suprised us. Capcom and the game's famous developers are known for linear games based on fancy action like Devil May Cry and Resident Evil. I thought I knew what to expect from Capcom's next potential hit, but instead I got a gorgeous action roleplaying adventure with handsome looking combat, intelligent partners, challenge and a free world.Japan's game industry isn't stuck in its old traditions after all?Dragon's Dogma's appeal is in the open, vast and interesting fantasy world of Gransys, its atmosphere and epic scale rather than a gripping storyline. There isn't anything really wrong with the story either: After decades of peace, the personification of evil, the Red Dragon threatens the future of entire Gransys. When the dragon arrives, one person acquires the power and with it, the responsibility to slay the beast. The ordinary fisherman becomes Arisen, the saviour of Gransys.The plot doesn't amaze with its originality, but the massive dragon is a juicy final boss and clearly the focal point of the story.Even though Dragon's Dogma is completely Japanese production and behind it Capcom's most famous developers, the influences have been gathered from the West. Skyrim vibes are impossible to avoid. Gransys resembles dark middle ages, flavoured with magic and mythical monsters.If knighthood, ser-titles, wild wolves of the north and references to old gods bring back memories from Songs of Fire and Ice, it's not a coincidence. Capcom admits that they've read George R.R Martin's fantasy series.Only the hero's and role of the other adventurers is classic roleplaying stuff. They are easily understandable and functional, but not especially creative archetypes: close ranged fighter, archer, mage and their few variants.AI controlled Pawns are the most notable thing in Dragon's Dogma. The pawns traveling in interdimensional rift are humanlike creatures who lack their own will. They follow the orders of humans, especially Arisen's commands slavishly. There are up to three pawns following Arisen, one being permanent and freely customizable partner who acquires experience and new skills like the playable character.The party is complemented with the game's default pawns and more or less attractive characters borrowed through (internet)rift made by other players. These characters do not gain experience so they have to be traded out regularly. In addition to the mist filled dimension of the Rift Stones, the recruitable pawns wander the countryside and streets of the capital, Gran Soren.Pawns do not only create atmosphere, they actually do something: They collect things and decide battles on their own. Of course, they won't survive long without Arisen's tactical support, but their active behaviour makes them feel like living individuals. The pawns follow simple come, attack and help commands. It is recommended to make them complement your own role, so I chose a female archer and two mages to fight alongside my fighter.

User Info: Phaild Phaild (Topic Creator) 8 years ago #2 The Return of Colossus Climbing



In the vivid deserts and caverns, the adventurers are threatened by wolfs, bandits, goblins, harpies, among other things. The encounters are not random, because rogues and monsters prefer certain areas. Stylish creatures are seamlessly animated: Huge monsters like Cyclops, Ogres and Golems move around realistically based on their mass.



When compared to Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma is like its action variant. In addition to traditional beat-em-up, grabbing is an essential battle tactical. Little creatures thrown into air take even more damage, you can and you must climb on huge monsters. Finding their weak spots speeds ups the battles significantly. Pawns can also do dramatic climbing, if your own role is not a close ranged fighter. Hanging onto a struggling colossi concretizes the size of the creatures wonderfully.



The combat isn't all show, but works rather well too. Brainless button smashing sends the Arisen to an early grave. My adventuring hero, despite his powerful special attacks, could only stay alive with the combination of active shield usage, intelligent spacing and constant movement.



Diversely moving enemies take advantage of their superior numbers and their tactics fitting their role: a tank, long ranged strikes, attack and run. You get beat up suprisingly easily and quickly during fights, if you are not paying attention.



When the glaring sun sets on the horizon, the composition of the monster brigade changes significantly, usually for the worse. In the darkness lurks skeleton warriors, living dead and magic obeying ghosts. And the darkness is really dark: Without an oil lamp hanging from your belt, you can barely see anything. The limited range of the light makes especially dungeon crawling really scary. The panic strikes for real when among the shadows, the sound of the attacking ogre can be heard. You really get to fear for your alter ego.



Amazingly enough, right after the start you are free to go anywhere in Gransys, if you think you can. Before the vast world map starts to take its shape, traveling to unknown areas is like real spontaneous adventuring, getting lost and treasuring your diminishing health items. The highways are half safe, but whoever stumbles into the wilderness, gets it the hard way like in Demon's Souls.



Monsters do not scale at all, so naturally the difficulty eventually curves into a brick wall. To balance this, hanging around in known areas becomes easier as your levels increase. Days left in Service: 0 / That's that

On you feet, come with me. We are soldiers, stand or die In the vivid deserts and caverns, the adventurers are threatened by wolfs, bandits, goblins, harpies, among other things. The encounters are not random, because rogues and monsters prefer certain areas. Stylish creatures are seamlessly animated: Huge monsters like Cyclops, Ogres and Golems move around realistically based on their mass.When compared to Skyrim, Dragon's Dogma is like its action variant. In addition to traditional beat-em-up, grabbing is an essential battle tactical. Little creatures thrown into air take even more damage, you can and you must climb on huge monsters. Finding their weak spots speeds ups the battles significantly. Pawns can also do dramatic climbing, if your own role is not a close ranged fighter. Hanging onto a struggling colossi concretizes the size of the creatures wonderfully.The combat isn't all show, but works rather well too. Brainless button smashing sends the Arisen to an early grave. My adventuring hero, despite his powerful special attacks, could only stay alive with the combination of active shield usage, intelligent spacing and constant movement.Diversely moving enemies take advantage of their superior numbers and their tactics fitting their role: a tank, long ranged strikes, attack and run. You get beat up suprisingly easily and quickly during fights, if you are not paying attention.When the glaring sun sets on the horizon, the composition of the monster brigade changes significantly, usually for the worse. In the darkness lurks skeleton warriors, living dead and magic obeying ghosts. And the darkness is really dark: Without an oil lamp hanging from your belt, you can barely see anything. The limited range of the light makes especially dungeon crawling really scary. The panic strikes for real when among the shadows, the sound of the attacking ogre can be heard. You really get to fear for your alter ego.Amazingly enough, right after the start you are free to go anywhere in Gransys, if you think you can. Before the vast world map starts to take its shape, traveling to unknown areas is like real spontaneous adventuring, getting lost and treasuring your diminishing health items. The highways are half safe, but whoever stumbles into the wilderness, gets it the hard way like in Demon's Souls.Monsters do not scale at all, so naturally the difficulty eventually curves into a brick wall. To balance this, hanging around in known areas becomes easier as your levels increase.

User Info: Phaild Phaild (Topic Creator) 8 years ago #3 Junk on your back



The changing story and side missions are mixed with location based quests and suprise events. Missions flavoured with light problem solving boil down into traveling and beating up monsters, but the monsters are and locations are so different that Dragon's Dogma can hardly be blamed for repetition. When you add in terrifying amount of collectables and environments that catch your attention, the clock slowly turns into early hours of the morning, evening after evening.



From dead enemies and remote locations you get experience, money, weapons, gear and materials. Shops naturally sell all kinds of junk and weapon salesman improves his products in exchange for money and specific materials. The hero's and his pawn's appearance changes significantly with the combination of different clothes and armor. On the most important body parts, the clothing and armor is equipped separately, even though arrow resistant knee plating is missing.



Herbs gathered from the ground and other items are mixed yourself and the result is stronger substances. Everything weighs something, so you cannot bring your entire inventory. The heavier the load, slower the movement.



And flaws, you ask? I didn't run into real flaws that would lessen the enjoyment. Later unlockable quick traveling is expensive but not incredibly so. Fantasy cliches are obviously in there: You can't get anything with a single piece of gold and careers are meaningless. Inventory is a little bit clunky when compared to the amount of stuff and the chatter of pawns repeats always in the same places, but I couldn't get any proper problems out of these.



Accompanied with fine tech, Dragon's Dogma is an excellent action roleplaying game that deserves its place among the classics of the genre. Things to do and events are so numerous that this review is barely scratching the surface all the possibilities of the rich and beautiful fantasy world of Gransys.



Take up your sword and towards the unknown, Arisen!



92/100

Days left in Service: 0 / That's that

On you feet, come with me. We are soldiers, stand or die The changing story and side missions are mixed with location based quests and suprise events. Missions flavoured with light problem solving boil down into traveling and beating up monsters, but the monsters are and locations are so different that Dragon's Dogma can hardly be blamed for repetition. When you add in terrifying amount of collectables and environments that catch your attention, the clock slowly turns into early hours of the morning, evening after evening.From dead enemies and remote locations you get experience, money, weapons, gear and materials. Shops naturally sell all kinds of junk and weapon salesman improves his products in exchange for money and specific materials. The hero's and his pawn's appearance changes significantly with the combination of different clothes and armor. On the most important body parts, the clothing and armor is equipped separately, even though arrow resistant knee plating is missing.Herbs gathered from the ground and other items are mixed yourself and the result is stronger substances. Everything weighs something, so you cannot bring your entire inventory. The heavier the load, slower the movement.And flaws, you ask? I didn't run into real flaws that would lessen the enjoyment. Later unlockable quick traveling is expensive but not incredibly so. Fantasy cliches are obviously in there: You can't get anything with a single piece of gold and careers are meaningless. Inventory is a little bit clunky when compared to the amount of stuff and the chatter of pawns repeats always in the same places, but I couldn't get any proper problems out of these.Accompanied with fine tech, Dragon's Dogma is an excellent action roleplaying game that deserves its place among the classics of the genre. Things to do and events are so numerous that this review is barely scratching the surface all the possibilities of the rich and beautiful fantasy world of Gransys.Take up your sword and towards the unknown, Arisen!92/100

User Info: Phaild Phaild (Topic Creator) 8 years ago #4 Scans



Cover

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img012.jpg



Page 1

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img013.jpg



Page 2

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img014.jpg



Page 3

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img015.jpg Days left in Service: 0 / That's that

On you feet, come with me. We are soldiers, stand or die Coverhttp://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img012.jpgPage 1http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img013.jpgPage 2http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img014.jpgPage 3http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v224/Fou-Lo/img015.jpg

User Info: Kerwin616 Kerwin616 8 years ago #5 PSN:VoltronBlack

http://www.last.fm/user/smith616 thank sir for the review

User Info: Forsaken_Snake Forsaken_Snake 8 years ago #6 Gamefaqs finally has an edit button

Now I need a new Signature Thanks o: This is great news, especially after that OXM review.

User Info: Dart_Feld7 Dart_Feld7 8 years ago #7 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmox6rdpiog - Dragon's Dogma

http://28.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m26tsm6yo81qfy7zpo4_250.gif Thank you, TC.

User Info: Phaild Phaild (Topic Creator) 8 years ago #8 Days left in Service: 0 / That's that

On you feet, come with me. We are soldiers, stand or die I apologize for the few grammatical errors, I did this one bit hastily.

User Info: Nephandu Nephandu 8 years ago #9 Amazing review.. Two pieces that catch my attention...





--> Amazingly enough, right after the start you are free to go anywhere in Gransys, if you think you can. Before the vast world map starts to take its shape, traveling to unknown areas is like real spontaneous adventuring, getting lost and treasuring your diminishing health items. The highways are half safe, but whoever stumbles into the wilderness, gets it the hard way like in Demon's Souls.



and



--> The combat isn't all show, but works rather well too. Brainless button smashing sends the Arisen to an early grave. My adventuring hero, despite his powerful special attacks, could only stay alive with the combination of active shield usage, intelligent spacing and constant movement.