Dragon’s Dogma 2 shows strength mechanics-wise, but many are already touting it as a GOTY contender, and a game shouldn’t get that kind of buzz just by doing things right. Luckily, Dragon’s Dogma pushes well beyond the confines of what we see as a “great game” via some awesomely surprising mechanics.
In a time when publishers like to disrespect the gods of surprise by showing off every little detail of the game to maximize initial sales, Dragon’s Dogma 2 has the guts to not disclose all of its intricacies right off the gate. One such case is that of the catapults, which, just like the siege crossbows present in the game, look like they’re no more than weapons to use against big game. It turns out that the catapults can also work as keys — in a very medieval sense, at least. Yes, you can use some catapults in Dragon’s Dogma 2 to break certain walls and thus open new pathways for the Arisen to travel.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a breath of fresh air in game design
I believe it’s undeniable that Dark Souls rocked the world of level design, and that Elden Ring perfected the formula. Other fantasy action or RPG titles must pick between going with something outdated, copying the winning formula, or risking something new. Dragon’s Dogma 2 has so many interesting new approaches to gameplay that it doesn’t even feel the need to boast about them all to players, and I salute that.
Also, all trebuchets are catapults, and not the other way round. You can launch yourself into Dragon’s Dogma 2 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC right this very moment.
