==UPDATE #2==
So I finally beat the game, did the endgame content stuff, and genuinely this game is kind of underrated as to how good it is and Itsuno's intent. Sure the microtransactions exist but they're really meaningless and any fomo/off-put feelings you may have regarding their existence. Without spoiling anything it's a brilliant game worth getting into and if I were to give advice as to how to approach it, simply "have faith" and know that everything with the game, all its jank aspects as well as the polished parts, the way the story presents itself, the journey you'll find yourself on for anywhere between 60-100 hours; everything is intentional and there are easily missed details that will come to bite you in the ass if you don't look closely enough. It's been a great journey and I hope should you pick up DD2 yourself, like how you'd approach the likes of Death Stranding just go for the journey. No expectations, no assumptions, let the game do its thing and before you know it you'll be dragged head first into the Countries of Vermund and Battahl.

==UPDATE==

So this is and updated review almost a year after my last, and honestly Capcom has done so much to fix PC performance and make the game run way better. The RE Engine is still kinda trash (though maybe better than Unreal 5, idk), and the DLC stuff looks overwhelming but is in fact entirely unnecessary other than Capcom corporate filling out checkboxes.

For the game itself it's a ton of fun with brilliant character customisation, and is just honestly a solid RPG. Of course mods will help better your experience but, that's like saying adding seasoning to your food will make it taste better.

Yeah, updating this anyway because the game is definitely worthy of people's time, leaving prior review underneath.

22 March 2024
I wish I could refund this game.

And no, it's not a "bad" game as far as the gameplay goes - in fact if you loved the original Dragon's Dogma it's that and some more, and I can feel so much effort has gone into making this game great in fact.

So why do they have to screw up in every other way possible? Denuvo is invasive as hell, the optimisation of the game is pretty bad for how it looks, but the most egregious thing of this launch is the nickel and diming ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ that is the microtransactions.

Like, paying £2 to edit your character in a single player game is one thing but, also having to pay to completely reroll and start a new adventure after you've already paid £60?? We used to joke how EA threatened to charge $1 for a reload in Battlefield so, honestly what on earth is this and why did Capcom choose to ruin what could've been such a great game launch?

But idk, maybe they'll cyberpunk it and the game will be much improved on later down the line. Maybe.

All I know is that this is a reminder to never buy games on launch. You don't owe these Devs your pre-order, and honestly I'm just disappointed in myself for getting my hopes up about ♥♥♥♥ again lol.

==UPDATE #2== So I finally beat the game, did the endgame content stuff, and genuinely this game is kind of underrated as to how good it is and Itsuno's intent. Sure the microtransactions exist but they're really meaningless and any fomo/off-put feelings you may have regarding their existence. Without spoiling anything it's a brilliant game worth getting into and if I were to give advice as to how to approach it, simply "have faith" and know that everything with the game, all its jank aspects as well as the polished parts, the way the story presents itself, the journey you'll find yourself on for anywhere between 60-100 hours; everything is intentional and there are easily missed details that will come to bite you in the ass if you don't look closely enough. It's been a great journey and I hope should you pick up DD2 yourself, like how you'd approach the likes of Death Stranding just go for the journey. No expectations, no assumptions, let the game do its thing and before you know it you'll be dragged head first into the Countries of Vermund and Battahl. ==UPDATE== So this is and updated review almost a year after my last, and honestly Capcom has done so much to fix PC performance and make the game run way better. The RE Engine is still kinda trash (though maybe better than Unreal 5, idk), and the DLC stuff looks overwhelming but is in fact entirely unnecessary other than Capcom corporate filling out checkboxes. For the game itself it's a ton of fun with brilliant character customisation, and is just honestly a solid RPG. Of course mods will help better your experience but, that's like saying adding seasoning to your food will make it taste better. Yeah, updating this anyway because the game is definitely worthy of people's time, leaving prior review underneath. 22 March 2024 I wish I could refund this game. And no, it's not a "bad" game as far as the gameplay goes - in fact if you loved the original Dragon's Dogma it's that and some more, and I can feel so much effort has gone into making this game great in fact. So why do they have to screw up in every other way possible? Denuvo is invasive as hell, the optimisation of the game is pretty bad for how it looks, but the most egregious thing of this launch is the nickel and diming scumfuckery that is the microtransactions. Like, paying £2 to edit your character in a single player game is one thing but, also having to pay to completely reroll and start a new adventure after you've already paid £60?? We used to joke how EA threatened to charge $1 for a reload in Battlefield so, honestly what on earth is this and why did Capcom choose to ruin what could've been such a great game launch? But idk, maybe they'll cyberpunk it and the game will be much improved on later down the line. Maybe. All I know is that this is a reminder to never buy games on launch. You don't owe these Devs your pre-order, and honestly I'm just disappointed in myself for getting my hopes up about shit again lol.