Dragon's Dogma is an excellent foundation of a game. It's worth appreciating how the game design is so completely unlike its early-2010s peers, such as Skyrim and the Dragon Age games. Obtuse, time-sensitive quests; a party system that foregoes relationship-building for a constant reshuffling of two slots depending on needs and level; a notorious final act twist that changes the game world for the remainder of the playthrough. Beyond those elements, the combat is a standout accomplishment -- the vocations are varied and fun, and this is one of the few games I've played where magic feels great to use instead of like a palette-swapped form of archery.
Despite the ambition and the gameplay, it is endlessly evident that Dragon's Dogma is held back from true greatness by budget issues. The world is deceptively tiny, but the lack of fast travel to most locations means you'll spend much of your time running back and forth between the few points of interest on the map. Even when you acquire the means to fast travel to more locations, it doesn't solve the issue of how bland and empty the world is -- there are hardly any points of interest, and your travels have you frequently fighting the same small pool of enemies in these monotonous locations. Further, the stamina system, limited inventory space, and lack of uses for gold in general make straying off of the beaten path more trouble than it's worth. Once I acquired some decent gear and skills for my sorcerer in the middle of the main questline, I never felt an impetus to seek out improvements until the post-game when my spells stopped nuking the average enemy.
Speaking of the main quest, the plot may as well not be there. The world and characters are as generic fantasy as they come; this doesn't affect my enjoyment, per se, since the combat is the clear focus, but it's just another example of the tragic cuts during development.
Criticisms aside, I did enjoy my time with Dragon's Dogma, even though I lost interest once I got to the rather grindy and repetitive post-game. It's an incredibly ambitious and memorable game that was held back by its budget (and probably the PS3/360); I am excited to see Hideaki Itsuno's vision given the time and budget it deserves in the sequel.
Despite the ambition and the gameplay, it is endlessly evident that Dragon's Dogma is held back from true greatness by budget issues. The world is deceptively tiny, but the lack of fast travel to most locations means you'll spend much of your time running back and forth between the few points of interest on the map. Even when you acquire the means to fast travel to more locations, it doesn't solve the issue of how bland and empty the world is -- there are hardly any points of interest, and your travels have you frequently fighting the same small pool of enemies in these monotonous locations. Further, the stamina system, limited inventory space, and lack of uses for gold in general make straying off of the beaten path more trouble than it's worth. Once I acquired some decent gear and skills for my sorcerer in the middle of the main questline, I never felt an impetus to seek out improvements until the post-game when my spells stopped nuking the average enemy.
Speaking of the main quest, the plot may as well not be there. The world and characters are as generic fantasy as they come; this doesn't affect my enjoyment, per se, since the combat is the clear focus, but it's just another example of the tragic cuts during development.
Criticisms aside, I did enjoy my time with Dragon's Dogma, even though I lost interest once I got to the rather grindy and repetitive post-game. It's an incredibly ambitious and memorable game that was held back by its budget (and probably the PS3/360); I am excited to see Hideaki Itsuno's vision given the time and budget it deserves in the sequel.