Have you played Dragon's Dogma? Can you answer a question?

I've read and watched some reviews about the game and it looks good. They mention how unforgiving it is and liken it to Dark Souls. My question is how like Dark Souls is it in terms of saving and loading? Can you save where you want or does it use checkpoints? Can you load when you want? And what happens when you die, do you reload or respawn?

And is it as repetitious as Dark Souls?

Thank you kindly.

From what I've read, it seems you can save when you want, but there's only 1 save slot per character.

You don't respawn.. or at least I didn't in the demo.

http://www.gamefaqs.com/boards/62651…dogma/62328921

Regarding difficulty, I seriously doubt it's anywhere near as unforgiving as Dark Souls. Unless they actually toned the difficulty down for the demo, which wouldn't make sense.

Here's a discussion on the game : http://www.larian.com/forums/ubbthre…gonew=1#UNREAD

Edit : Just found an article linked from there : http://www.cinemablend.com/games/Cap…gma-42525.html

No it's not Dark Souls difficult at all.

I don't understand why RPGwatch doesnt write about this game (release was yesterday)? Is it because it's console only maybe..

From what i've read it's pretty much a mix of Gothic, Dark Souls and maybe a hint of some jRPG and Dragon Age. I've only played for a short while (1.5h maybe) and i love it. It was nice to be able to create a kid for once, you can never do that in western RPG's for some reason, so that's a nice thing they brought from the jRPG's.

Its not even an RPG. Here is the official label. I wonder how it's labeled as such when the developer's say it's not.

Developer: Capcom
Genre(s): Action
Rating: M

A legend is born in this open-world adventure. Assume the role of the Arisen, a legendary hero in a land haunted by a feared, omnipotent dragon. As you fight to protect your homeland, you will pick up companions, make enemies, and find yourself embroiled in an even deeper mystery.

"…it's a game that has both action and RPG elements, but for us the action was the focus and we wanted to make sure we got that into the game. But it's an open world - an open world action game if you will - and with that we've taken and added RPG elements on to it to kind of fill it out," explained Kobayashi-san.

"We've looked at what kinds of things you have in an RPG and to make sure that some of those key features are part of this game, but to make sure that the action was really well done."

Hiroyuki Kobayashi isn't big on shoving genre labels on games anymore - what matters is if something makes gameplay fun, not if it fits a genre or not.

"We realized in the course of discussion that everyone has a different opinion of what a true action game is and what makes a true RPG. It's actually hard to limit games nowadays into defining genres. I think most games nowadays have elements of multiple genres included; RPG and Action games included," he explained.

"So you can't just pigeonhole games into genres anymore, it's getting harder and harder. So as a developer, personally, I don't view games in terms of those genres anymore. I just view them in terms of "are these games enjoyable? Can you have fun in it?""

—-

Dragon's Dogma isn't heavy on action like Devil May Cry 4 was to defeat enemies, with the player having to memorise crazy combo moves. "What I can say, is compared to your typical action game, it isn't as technical. It's more of a strategy type of action game."

"Maybe there are people out there that feel action games are too technical or difficult and it's hard to beat enemies," he continued.

"Here you're not alone. You have pawns and they are intelligent. You can formulate different strategies to take down creatures. There isn't a set way to takedown all of the monsters in the game. Depending on how you form you party, with the pawns you have you can come up with all of these different ways to take down creatures."

"I think this is something that will appeal to men and women because you're using your brain to takedown enemies in this game."

The reviews range from positive to average at best.

I dont care about the official label, the game allows for far more builds than any of the Gothic or Risen games, which doesnt even have character creation. Risen 2 doesnt even have leveling up AFAIK, still, those games are what i, and many other people one these boards, prefer.

Reviews are in the expected range for this type of game. Gothic 2 got a lot of 6/10 reviews, so it's probably just a good sign not all reviews are positive

One thing that is really nice in this game is that at night the difficulty is higher. I wish more RPG's would do that, nights should be a lot more dangerous.

I'm interested, but I might wait to see if it comes to PC. Apparently Capcom has "no plans" for a PC version but as with Dark Souls that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen.

Originally Posted by coaster
I'm interested, but I might wait to see if it comes to PC. Apparently Capcom has "no plans" for a PC version but as with Dark Souls that doesn't necessarily mean it won't happen.

I would to but here is there excuse it's pretty weak.

It’s because of the game’s pawn system – in which you can create NPC characters to share with other players, who’ll collect experience while they’re off being helpful to someone else.

“It’s just a bit difficult with the whole pawn system and the borrowing and lending,” said Capcom’s Hiroyuki Kobayashi, confirming in a CVG interview that the studio has “no plans” for a PC version.

We all know pc's can't use online services.

Hmm…okay, there's a possibility I will cave then and get the PS3 version.

Originally Posted by Couchpotato
We all know pc's can't use online services.

I agree, crap excuse. Plus I probably wouldn't use other people's pawns anyway, it would detract from the feeling that I'd beaten the game on my own.

Originally Posted by vurt
No it's not Dark Souls difficult at all.

I don't understand why RPGwatch doesnt write about this game (release was yesterday)? Is it because it's console only maybe..

From what i've read it's pretty much a mix of Gothic, Dark Souls and maybe a hint of some jRPG and Dragon Age. I've only played for a short while (1.5h maybe) and i love it. It was nice to be able to create a kid for once, you can never do that in western RPG's for some reason, so that's a nice thing they brought from the jRPG's.

I'm glad you're enjoying it. I haven't played the demo because it's all combat and what I want to know is how are quests handled. Do you talk to NPCs like you would in an RPG and get quests? Do you have conversations with them? Or is it like they just tell you what they want you to do and you either accept or decline?

And you may not have got this far but what are the towns and villages like? Are they fleshed out? Are there shops?

And I had a quick look at the demo and noticed I don't seem to have a slot for armour. Can you change your armour, get new weapons ect?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by vurt
No it's not Dark Souls difficult at all.

I don't understand why RPGwatch doesnt write about this game (release was yesterday)? Is it because it's console only maybe..

From what i've read it's pretty much a mix of Gothic, Dark Souls and maybe a hint of some jRPG and Dragon Age. I've only played for a short while (1.5h maybe) and i love it. It was nice to be able to create a kid for once, you can never do that in western RPG's for some reason, so that's a nice thing they brought from the jRPG's.

Create a kid? So the protagonist is a child? Pass.

human_male: I've just been in one large town and one smaller camp, still havent gotten around playing much, too busy modding atm

Armor slots are: head, torso, arms, legs and you can also wear a cape. There are shops and even travelling merchants. And yes there are many different weapons and armors. You can mine, collect herbs, enhance weapons, like in any modern RPG. If you enjoy games like Skyrim, Gothic, or Two Worlds you'll enjoy it.. Not sure the story is anything special. The fighting seems better than Skyrim's, more fluid.

Originally Posted by darkling
Create a kid? So the protagonist is a child? Pass.

Um, you can create a grown up if you want, the character editor is quite impressive, many types of bodies, so in that way much better than Skyrim's character creation. Why would i say you can be a kid if that's all you can be..

It may be an RPG, unlike Diablo 3, but it´s not Diablo 3, unlike Diablo 3.

It's a good thing it's not Diablo 3.. Linear crap

Originally Posted by vurt
human_male: I've just been in one large town and one smaller camp, still havent gotten around playing much, too busy modding atm

Armor slots are: head, torso, arms, legs and you can also wear a cape. There are shops and even travelling merchants. And yes there are many different weapons and armors. You can mine, collect herbs, enhance weapons, like in any modern RPG. If you enjoy games like Skyrim, Gothic, or Two Worlds you'll enjoy it.. Not sure the story is anything special. The fighting seems better than Skyrim's, more fluid.



Um, you can create a grown up if you want, the character editor is quite impressive, many types of bodies, so in that way much better than Skyrim's character creation. Why would i say you can be a kid if that's all you can be..

Thanks man, that sounds good. What about NPC interraction?

It's like in Skyrim etc. It doesnt seem that fleshed out, haven't seen much in regards of choices.

Played for another 2h, having fun. I think the enemy AI is quite interesting, they run away when badly hurt, they even grab onto larger rocks and climb up. Combat is pretty hectic, i would have prefered if it was a bit slower (might be my age hehe). Demon's Soul got that part right imo. It can be painful to die and lose a lot of time, but i don't mind it, it keeps it more engaging and you dont need to think about hitting the quicksave button every 2-5 minutes

You can create your own pawn too (decide both looks and class etc), so in fact you create 2 characters.

The demo is NOTHING like the real game. Sure, the fight mechanism is portrayed just fine in the demo, but you're not playing with IDDQD turned on in the real game.

I've been playing for a few hours now and I have yet to find a single weapon or piece of armour and just about any opponent in the wild, be it a wolf, a goblin or a bandit can take my strider out in 2 shots. You want to compare Dragon's Dogma to Gothic? Sure, think of the first 10 hours of Gothic where you got your ass handed to you by molerats or bloodflies left and right.

I'm actually reminded of my brief experience with the Ultima games: Start game -> go left and die. Start over -> go right and die. Then up and die. Then down and die. Then uninstall and format the disks so they could be used for something fun

For those of you who enjoy spending more time retracing your steps over and over again than progressing in a game will likely find Dragon's Dogma to your liking. Me, I think I'll just write this one up as another misguided impulse purchase (not like that's the first time ).

Hm, I've had no problems killing anything in my way with my level 5 (i think he is) strider, i've died 3 times in 4 or so hours and i played with just 1 pawn, must be really easy with more of them.

But yeah i've not found a single weapon or armor either (except from merchants), which is good, it's mostly just tedious to find armor and weapons on every kill. Finding a new weapon or a piece of new armor will be incredible satisfying when it does happen.

Originally Posted by vurt
Hm, I've had no problems killing anything in my way with my level 5 (i think he is) strider, i've died 3 times in 4 or so hours and i played with just 1 pawn, must be really easy with more of them.

The "introduction" or tutorial phase is over once you create your own main pawn and become able to summon other pawns. At that point the difficulty level skyrockets. Perhaps there is a "golden path" you can follow that will easy you into the game's encounters but to start pursuing the quests you get access to even at the very beginning of the "real" game can very quickly put you up against an enemy you can't put a dent into no matter how hard you try.

I'm having a lot of fun with it to be honest; this game is just bad presented 'cause of the crap demo.
Quests are pretty much standard, killing, escort, finding items, and so on, but at least they're well presented and you can pursue them without the minimap, raising up the Gothic/Risen feeling.
Also, you can combine tons of items, giving sense to all that stuff you can pick up.
Combat is pretty much solid imho, and the pawn system is nicely done; and I agree with the Gothic feeling, especially at the beginning.
Anyway, I think it's a well made console ARPG too bad that it won't come on PC, it's the perfect platform for this game.