I recently purchased Dragon's Dogma for 360 per Grimnirsson and Hiimori's suggestion. I finally got around to playing the game this weekend and I must say my initial impressions are very positive.
Dragon's Dogma is an RPG set in a fantasy/medieval type world filled with dragons, knights, goblins, etc. The game tries to blend several ideas from other RPG games such as crafting items and weapons, open world environment (and it's a big world too), teaming up with NPCs to complete quests, and a Dynasty Warriors like combat system. Overall these elements work together nicely in Dragon's Dogma.
If you're familiar with Skyrim's gameplay and story Dragon's Dogma's experience can be said to be similar. Both games feature NPC partners that help you in your quests. Both games feature an interesting story line as well as the freedom to take on as many main and sidequests as you like. Although Dragon's Dogma does not have the same level of marketing hype as Skyrim does it is a game that I would consider a diamond in the rough. Getting used to the combat system might be a bit difficult but once the player understands how fighting works it plays out well. This game is not as complex as Dark Souls as far as combat is concerned but it is as challenging as Skyrim is.
At the start of the game you must define who your character will be and what his role type is. Will he be a fighter specializing in melee type combat or will he favor long range battle by using spells and bows? Or will he be purely a magick user? The choice is yours and you can change vocations at any time. You also must recruit NPC helpers called Pawns who have their own specialties as well. Your friends can share their Pawns with you as well as use your created Pawns.
I've only played about 3 hours or so but am liking what I see so far. If you're looking for an RPG that is a little different from the mainstream type games Dragon's Dogma might be worth looking into.
Great you like it :)
There are 9 Vocations (classes) in the game and the hybrid ones are very interesting. Tell us the name of your Pawn when you have one and I will get back into the game and take him/her into my party :)
Here's the official wiki for the game:
http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon%27s_Dogma (http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon%27s_Dogma)
Update: Ah, just saw your PM on XBL, Magnus the Mage it is, very well, he will join my party when I come to the next rift stone :)
Quote from: Grimnirsson on May 14, 2013, 03:06:44 AM
Great you like it :)
There are 9 Vocations (classes) in the game and the hybrid ones are very interesting. Tell us the name of your Pawn when you have one and I will get back into the game and take him/her into my party :)
Here's the official wiki for the game:
http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon%27s_Dogma (http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Dragon%27s_Dogma)
Update: Ah, just saw your PM on XBL, Magnus the Mage it is, very well, he will join my party when I come to the next rift stone :)
Excellent! I'm sure Magnus will learn a lot under your guidance. :)
I've also bookmarked that wiki, very useful indeed. I find that so far I'm having fun just wandering around the world content to accept the sidequests from the townsfolk and the wanted posters. As I play more of the game I'm seeing that the game world is very rich in detail. Not only is it graphically beautiful but there are plenty of natural resources around for your party to harvest and put to use crafting medicines, weapons, etc. This game, along with Dark Souls, will keep me busy for a very long time. Well at least until Dark Souls 2 comes out. I've already placed a reserve order for Dark Souls 2. 8)
QuoteExcellent! I'm sure Magnus will learn a lot under your guidance.
Interesting thing in this game is , your Pawn may know things and creatures you as the player don't know. Not because the game wants it so, but because the Pawn actually learned something in another players game - that's a cool concept :)
QuoteI've also bookmarked that wiki, very useful indeed. I find that so far I'm having fun just wandering around the world content to accept the sidequests from the townsfolk and the wanted posters. As I play more of the game I'm seeing that the game world is very rich in detail. Not only is it graphically beautiful but there are plenty of natural resources around for your party to harvest and put to use crafting medicines, weapons, etc.
You installed the game to the HDD didn't you? It's a must to really enjoy the gfx.
QuoteThis game, along with Dark Souls, will keep me busy for a very long time. Well at least until Dark Souls 2 comes out. I've already placed a reserve order for Dark Souls 2.
LOL
QuoteYou installed the game to the HDD didn't you? It's a must to really enjoy the gfx.
Yes I did install the game to my HDD and I believe that is the reason for the crisp graphics. I usually install games to HDD that I intend to play for a while, only removing them when I've had my fill. Not only does the game perform better when installed to the drive but there is less wear and tear on the DVD optics and mechanisms as well.
Quote...the Pawn actually learned something in another players game...
That is an awesome concept indeed! I was wondering why your pawn that I am using in my game occasionally comments with phrases such as "I know a bit about this place". :)
Ah, I am sure she will protect and guide you - she's friendly but sometimes comes across a bit grumpy - a true grognard :P
W8taminute,
I can't enlist your Pawn because I don't have you as a friend in my list when I enter the Rift...also when I went to the Inn to have a rest and Nionde came back from her journeys with other Masters you were not listed there either.
Please make sure:
to confirm to play online not offline when the game asks you
to rest at an Inn because that's updating the servers
to NOT have your pawn set to "No One" for online access in the options
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/941426_596513400373675_2002714057_n.jpg)
Nionde and Arrangos on their way to new adventures
^I see. Let me check my settings. I did rest at an inn last night and updated the server but I have to check on my pawn's settings for online access and make sure I'm playing online. I'm pretty sure I am playing online because I do get 'Accessing Server' popups from time to time. I think my problem is that the pawn I made is not set to be accessible online.
I wonder why Nionde did not have me listed upon returning from her journey with me? I did rest at an inn. ???
QuoteI wonder why Nionde did not have me listed upon returning from her journey with me? I did rest at an inn.
I had two Masters listed and one as "Invalid Data", maybe that was you and something got messed up. We'll see what will happen in the future I'm back into the game :)
Btw:
Quoteand a Dynasty Warriors like combat system
I'm not sure that I agree with you here. Form what I remember DW combat was button mashing at the finest and you didn't have too many options. Combat in DD is quite tactical and has two layers of combat styles for both the primary and the secondary weapon. There are some nice ways to make great combos and even to have combat options like one of your party members grabbing an enemy and you rushing in for the kill etc.. It's not that far from Dark Souls, although it lacks the lockon ability.
And regarding the Pawns, I strongly advice to first give everything you find in terms of weapons and armor and stuff to your main Pawn. The quicker the Pawn gets some Omph, the better his skills and augments are the more likely s/he will get hired and brings back experience for himself and some nice rift crystals and items for you.
QuoteI'm not sure that I agree with you here. Form what I remember DW combat was button mashing at the finest and you didn't have too many options.
I agree with not having as many combat options in DW vs. DD however to me at least the combat in DD still kind of feels like that in DW. You have your weak and strong attacks and blocks (shield). Last night I discovered that if you press and hold the RB you can perform additional combat moves. I assigned some additional combat moves to those empty slots and noticed that I had more options to play with. It kind of feels though that you can button mash to a degree against the weaker enemies. I have not encountered any strong enemies yet so maybe too early for me to judge.
So yes, DD has more options that require a bit more thinking than DW but not as complex as Dark Souls. Nothing I've played in this genre can compare with the combat system in Dark Souls. One truly must think and strategize to win engagements in Dark Souls. I'm really impressed on how they managed to create a realistic melee combat system in Dark Souls and that has probably jaded my view on other games now. Not that that is a bad thing mind you. DD does not as demanding in combat because of it's simpler button layout and the tremendous help your pawns provide you. But to see how combat works in Dark Souls, especially when you have real human help via summoning, is a joy matched by very few games.
QuoteI have not encountered any strong enemies yet so maybe too early for me to judge.
You'll encounter such enemies, trust me ;)
QuoteBut to see how combat works in Dark Souls, especially when you have real human help via summoning, is a joy matched by very few games.
True :)
Since the game includes an in-built screenshot feature, I'd like to share some of my screenshots with you... :)
My first Pawn, Arya Stark. Unfortunately, my save game was corrupted and I had to start all over again...
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F02_Arya.jpg&hash=bf5e0963fc9cfc66ce21696c82f26195f59484d0)
This time, with my new Pawn, Ser Fulgrim (here wearing his beautiful new Chaos helmet):
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F04_Fulgrim_Helmet.jpg&hash=4221bf9bfb41c83c2a721dda5210b529c46c0b65)
I, Fulgrim, and Grimnirsson's Pawn Nionde leaving the capital, Gran Soren:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F05_GranSOren.jpg&hash=c099eabcfd06bf5e718a453d73146a0515eefce7)
Now some of my epic battles - so just in case you think that the monsters and bosses in Dragon's Dogma are smaller or less impressing than the bosses in Dark Souls ;)
Fighting something very Slaaneshi:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F01_Slaanesh.jpg&hash=246bac77364e9c4feabcc552f911c075a35d08e4)
This ugly Cockatrice managed to send Fulgrim back into the Rift:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F03_Cockatrice.jpg&hash=d54c0467cdc26009ab3e3e29ceeff0bf47be6889)
Meeting a Griffin:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F06_Griffin.jpg&hash=e64505a45ba8e79abae0a23a61727e0cc2ebf6c1)
Fulgrim, grabbed by a Wyrm:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F07_Fulgrim_Wyrm.jpg&hash=53f2967a5eb73ff6accd31c95e71827a148b9948)
Meet the Hydra:
(https://www.grogheads.com/forums/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.homefrontcenter.de%2Fallerlei%2FDD%2F08_Hydra.jpg&hash=0fad2a71cd32b83948a76dffabf4a5d423e9fd8c)
Cool pics Hiimori, but...not one that shows Nionde was a worthy member of the party in combat? ;)
Very cool pics Hiimori thanks for sharing. I'm beginning to wonder if I should set up a facebook account just so that I can share images from DD. I know that the built in screenshot sharing only works with social media such as facebook. Now if I can get over my paranoia of using social media I'll be all set. LOL
Grimnirsson I check my pawn this morning and noticed that I have his sharing setting set to anyone. This should mean he can be hired by anyone on XBOX: LIVE no? Do I have to release my pawn from my in game party? Maybe I need to send him to the rift?
I also stayed at the inn in the encampment beyond Casardis. Try again and see if Nionde has some experience and rift crystals to give you. The other night when I stayed at the inn I did notice that the network sync took much longer than this morning so maybe it was a server issue the other night?
Well, I have the answer to our problem and may I say it sucks? Ok, I say it, IT SUCKS!!! >:( >:( >:( >:(
http://www.gamespot.com/dragons-dogma-dark-arisen/forum/cant-use-my-friends-pawn-now-that-he-got-dark-arisen-66081944/
A shame, the game is really great, especially the AI is actually a good one:
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-frc1/920112_596948513663497_2028949958_o.jpg)
Nionde using her new skill that allows to cord an enemy, after Ser Fulgrim released the Direwolf from his grip and I'm just standing there in awe :)
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-h-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/209258_596946076997074_1256500511_o.jpg)
Nionde always with me when the fight gets tough, here she watched my six while I was fighting and wasn't aware of the wolves
(https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn2/964873_596914450333570_1710468186_o.jpg)
And the perfect party, the Mage working her spells, I am shooting arrows from afar and both Ser Fulgrim and Nionde climbing a rock and then both jumping on the beasts head and all this while dramatic music fills the room - awesome :)
OMG I can't believe that DD and DA are incompatible with each other. I was wondering why I could hire your pawns but you can't hire mine. Now that I think about it I couldn't even rate Nionde or Ser Fulgrim either. That does indeed suck.
Still, if you don't mind, I'd like to keep Nionde and Ser Fulgrim with me during my adventure. They really do know how to fight and your screenies of your adventure confirms it! Plus their commentary during the lull in the fighting is classic. Can't wait to see how my pawn, Magnus (the Red), develops. He's already a 3 star pawn and I just recently upgraded his protective clothing and spells.
QuoteNow that I think about it I couldn't even rate Nionde or Ser Fulgrim either. That does indeed suck.
And one doesn't get any rift crystals either - what a silly design decision. :( That also might explain this weird 'invalid data' message when I was at the Inn...
QuoteStill, if you don't mind, I'd like to keep Nionde and Ser Fulgrim with me during my adventure.
Sure, why not? :)
QuoteCan't wait to see how my pawn, Magnus (the Red), develops. He's already a 3 star pawn and I just recently upgraded his protective clothing and spells.
One important thing for the behavior of the Pawn is the use of certain elixirs, I wasn't aware of that in my first hours and was wondering why Nionde was so inconsistent in her behavior, the knowledge chair is only part of the possibilities to teach a Pawn as I found out. It's speaking with your Pawn, giving him the right Elixirs and having a consistent fighting style for your main character. After that she was doing what I thought she should do and I am very pleased with her :)
http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Pawn_Inclination (http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Pawn_Inclination)
QuoteI'm beginning to wonder if I should set up a facebook account just so that I can share images from DD. I know that the built in screenshot sharing only works with social media such as facebook. Now if I can get over my paranoia of using social media I'll be all set.
Yes, it only works with a Facebook account but if you have one it's really simple, it's just pressing the start button when you think you have a cool situation on the screen you want to share. And as I already told you, there's no need for paranoia, you can have very strict settings for your Fb account and you could actually set it completely to private, so no one could read or post anything on your timeline. Or you limit it to friends etc.. Once the pics are uploaded you have a DD album and can link the url of the pics to wherever you want, like we do here :)
Nice article on pawn inclinations. I will have to pay more attention to his personality development now. Now that I've made it to Soren perhaps Magnus and I will take a break to drink elixirs and sit at the chair for a while. ;D
Necro!
Picked this up the other day and totally digging it! Is anyone else still playing?
Stopped a while ago because other games got in the way ;) But this is on the list of games I'll definitely play again and play through then :)
If you start over, drop me a note. Should be fun to do it with someone.
It's a weird (in the good sense of the word) game. Japanese trying to make a western RPG. But it has some pretty cool twists!
I just find many of the monsters hard to dispatch properly... oh and riding one is just awesome! :P
*whisper* Did that sound right?
I play this game on and off in short spurts. There is just too many other games in the way right now however DD is one I want to finish someday. It's a captivating game rich in detail both in the world and the characters. ;)
I agree. But it'll go nowhere! As long as my 360 does not break down. :)