Summary
- In Dragon's Dogma 2, Pawns are customizable companions that support players, but lack unique identities and personal stories.
- Unlike Fallout companions, Pawns exist only to serve players and don't have individual goals or character arcs, making them feel shallow.
- While Pawns enhance gameplay in Dragon's Dogma 2, the lack of identity and personal stories may disappoint players looking for more depth in their companions.
Because Dragon's Dogma 2 is a fantasy RPG, players will fight their way through its world alongside countless NPC companions. In this game, those companions come in the form of Pawns, which are fully customizable warriors that can be shared among players. They are great additions to the formula and really help set Dragon's Dogma 2 apart from the crowd. However, they also lack any sort of unique identity, and that means they might fall a bit short for some.
In other games, like Fallout, followers are a core part of the game's narrative. They have their own stories, character arcs, goals, and needs. In Dragon's Dogma 2, these companions exist solely to support the player. While that works within the confines of the story Capcom is telling, it also makes them feel a bit unrealistic. Additionally, it may be hard for many players to grow attached to their Pawns if they are lacking any defining traits. That does not necessarily ruin the experience, as Dragon's Dogma 2 is a fantastic game in many other regards, but those looking for a bit more in their party will likely not find it here.
Dragon's Dogma 2's Pawns Fall Short of Being Gripping Companions
Dragon's Dogma 2's Pawns Are a Great Addition to the Formula
Players are introduced to Dragon's Dogma 2's Pawn system almost immediately after they jump into the game. They are given the ability to fully customize their own unique Pawn that will serve as their loyal, unwavering ally throughout the duration of the game. Players have complete control of their appearance, their vocation, and their personality. Then, as they explore the larger world of Dragon's Dogma 2, they will encounter even more Pawns that they can recruit to their cause, up to a maximum of three at any given time.
The Pawns that litter the world are all created by players. Since there are hundreds of them out there, players will never know who they may run into. As players explore, these Pawns will also prove vital in surviving the harsh realities of Dragon's Dogma 2. Additionally, they will converse with each other, find things for players, and may even lead them to a special encounter. All of that makes them feel like true companions in terms of gameplay, yet something is missing.
Pawns Lack Any Sort of Identity
Once players have encountered one Pawn, they have essentially met them all. While they do have varying personalities, there are only four to choose from, so many of these followers end up feeling practically identical, with only their looks and DD2 vocations setting them apart. Along with that, none of them have any sort of story arc that guides them throughout their adventure. There may be a mission attached to them, but those missions are seldom more than simply killing a certain creature.
The lack of a story arc is in stark contrast to games like Fallout 4. In that title, each companion that players encounter has a very distinct identity and personality. They all have their own wants and needs, a role within the greater open-world, and will often change depending upon what the player does. If players choose to, they can even embark on companion exclusive quest chains that can have a significant impact on the character's relationship with the player. That makes them feel extremely lifelike and helps players grow attached to them, which can also affect the larger story in the long run.
Dragon's Dogma 2's Pawns do not have that same effect. They are nothing more than loyal companions willing to do whatever the player needs of them. The four personalities do help make them feel alive, but they're all still mostly carbon copies of each other. While the game makes up for it in other areas, it still would have been nice for the Pawns to be able to tell their own stories.
Dragon's Dogma 2
- Released
- March 22, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!
Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.
On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.
All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
- Developer(s)
- Capcom
- Publisher(s)
- Capcom
- Engine
- RE Engine
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- Genre(s)
- Action RPG
