Dragon’s Dogma 2

An open-world action RPG where you climb colossal monsters and command pawn-companions to exploit their weak points in dynamic battles.

Last reviewed: May 3, 2026

Released Mar 2024 Singleplayer / 3D / Fantasy

If you can forgive the original's quirks, DD2 holds up — patches fixed CPU performance and the microtransaction outrage was overblown (everything's findable in-game).

8.7 /10

Strong

Previously an Editor's pick

For you if

You loved the original Dragon's Dogma's pawn system and want a polished sequel
You enjoy class variety — 4 basic plus 6 advanced vocations and a Warfarer hybrid
You're OK with single-save-slot RPG design and the original's exploration philosophy

Not for you if

You skipped the original Dragon's Dogma — Pawns and exploration concepts make more sense with context
You hate buying $40 RPGs that ship with optional fast-travel-cost microtransactions
You expect Mass Effect / Witcher 3 cinematic storytelling — DD2 is mechanic-first

What critics say

8/10IGN
More of a redo than a sequel, Dragon's Dogma 2 is a strange and wonderful action-RPG that bolsters the original's strengths without addressing its weaknesses.
Jarrett GreenMar 2024 Read review →
9/10GameSpot
Dragon's Dogma 2 is an excellent sequel that builds upon the first game's core concepts to create a thrilling open-world adventure.
Richard WakelingMar 2024 Read review →
89/100PC Gamer
A magnificent adventure with impressive fights and some very rough edges.
Fraser BrownMar 2024 Read review →

Before You Play

Refreshed monthly

Has Dragon's Dogma 2's performance been fixed by 2026?

Mostly yes. The October 17 2024 mega-patch reworked how NPC AI is processed, cutting CPU load 10-15% in densely populated towns. DLSS minimum framerates jumped from 36 FPS to 54 FPS at 4K Max. Console performance modes were added in the same patch. Smaller patches through 2025 continued tuning, and by 2026 most rural and dungeon scenes hold steady 50-60 FPS on mid-range PCs. NPC-heavy capital city scenes still occasionally dip — that's the cost of the deep AI simulation.

Source: Overclock3D: DD2 CPU performance patch

How bad are Dragon's Dogma 2's microtransactions?

Largely overblown. Dragon's Dogma 2 launched with $40 worth of microtransactions for items like fast-travel Portcrystals, character-edit tomes (Art of Metamorphosis), revival Wakestones, and Rift Crystal packs. The Steam reception went 'Mostly Negative' on day one. The catch: every paid item is findable in-game within the first few hours of normal play. Capcom hasn't removed them, but the storefront items mostly serve as convenience for impatient players, not power-required content.

Source: PC Gamer: DD2 microtransactions

What are the best vocations in Dragon's Dogma 2?

For the Arisen, the consensus best vocations are Mystic Spearhand (Mirour Vesture summons a near-invincible shield) and Thief (devastating damage plus easy survival quirks). Warfarer — a jack-of-all-trades that can wield two vocations' skill sets — is the late-game flex pick. For Pawns, Mage is essential since only Mages get healing skills (Anodyne, Argent Succor, Halidom). Warrior Pawns excel at tanking. Avoid Sorcerer for Pawns; Mage scales better.

Source: PCGamesN: DD2 vocations tier list

How does the pawn hiring system work in Dragon's Dogma 2?

Your Main Pawn is permanent and fully customizable; the other two party slots come from other players' Main Pawns hired at Riftstones. Hires cost Rift Crystals (RC) proportional to the Pawn's level — pawns far above your level cost a lot. To get YOUR pawn hired by others: pick a Specialization (Forager is universally useful since it points out resources), keep the Inclination consistent, and yes, looks matter — visually appealing pawns get rented more often.

Source: Game Rant: DD2 pawn hiring guide

How long does it take to beat Dragon's Dogma 2?

Main story takes 30-37 hours for focused players. Side content (every dungeon, every armor set, every Seeker's Token of 240, all unique weapons) pushes it to 100+ hours. The True Ending unlocks in NG+ and adds another 10-12 hours of post-game content with bumped difficulty. The Riftcrystal economy and pawn-hire spending mean even a casual playthrough can drift to 50+ hours easily.

Source: GameSpot: DD2 campaign length