The following contains spoilers forDragon’s Dogma 2andStarfield.
Despite being the sequel to a game widely considered to only be a cult hit, Capcom’sDragon’s Dogma 2has proven to be hugely successful so far by taking everything loyal fans loved about the first game, scaling it up, and improving it by and large. In addition to these improvements,Dragon’s Dogma 2brings back the first game’s New Game Plus mode, which allows players who have completed the game to start a new playthrough and retain all of their belongings, skills, and experience. This time, however,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s New Game Plusmight have benefited from a model more akin toStarfield’s.
Starfield’s New Game Plus model is known for the opportunity it gives players to experience a different version of its universe almost every time they begin a new playthrough. In light of that, becauseDragon’s Dogma 2’s complex story takes place within a multiverse just as its predecessor did, it could have made use ofStarfield’s New Game Plus model rather than the traditional mode it offers.
How Dragon’s Dogma 2 Could Have Used Starfield’s New Game Plus Model
Starfield’s New Game Plus Is Essentially a Continued Story in Another Universe
Atthe end ofStarfield, players are given a choice: either they can enter the Unity, become a Starborn, and begin a New Game Plus, or they can walk away from the Unity and remain in their current universe. Each time players enter the Unity at the end of the game and start a New Game Plus playthrough, there is a chance they will experience an entirely different variation on the universe than the one they were in previously.
In some New Game Plus variations, the characters from the base universe have very different intentions or roles than they did before. In others, players encounter alternate versions of their own character before they become Starborn, and they are even given the opportunity to mentor their old character. Not only does this pattern contribute toStarfield’s replay value, but it also provides players with a unique way to approach the story almost every time.Dragon’s Dogma 2was a prime candidate for this approach, so it’s a shame it didn’t take it.
Given thatDragon’s Dogma 2’s story and world ultimately revolve around the cycle of an Arisen and Dragon constantly being reborn, it would have been prime real estate for aStarfield-like New Game Plus. As it is already, players can encounter former Arisen who failed to complete the task they were destined for throughoutDragon’s Dogma 2’s world, and this is precisely where aNew Game Plus likeStarfield’scould come into play.
Perhaps players opt forDragon’s Dogma 2’s bad ending, which sees them ignoring the Dragon’s existence and choosing not to kill it. In this way, they would lose their position as the Arisen and a new one would be born to fulfill the task. Upon accepting the bad ending, players could then begin a New Game Plus where they would encounter their failed Arisen in the world. Even after choosing the good ending forDragon’s Dogma 2, in which the Arisen defeats the Dragon, a New Game Plus could be started from there, where the cycle begins anew and players hear tales of their old characters from townsfolk and the Dragon himself. The only outlier would bethe true ending forDragon’s Dogma 2, which brings an end to the cycle once and for all. Here, a New Game Plus likeStarfield’s might not make much sense.
It’s unfortunate thatDragon’s Dogma 2’s New Game Plus missed out on such a great opportunity.Starfield’s New Game Plus is highly innovative and therefore worth imitating. Even so,Dragon’s Dogma 2offers an experience unlike any other, so it succeeds, nonetheless.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
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.
