[PS3 version tested/ photos of product sent to charlesr]
[there's a 1.01 update for DLC etc. And I swear they've fixed some of the slowdown when casting some spells, and when exiting/ entering towns/ Gransys]
Action RPG + open world + pseudo online = Welcome to Dragon's Dogma.
Can it work?
I think it can. But with a few rough edges.
First things first. Framerate is more or less the same as the demo, for the PS3 version that is, as the Chimeara battle is the introductory stage to Dragon's Dogma. I'm waiting on the 360 version to arrive to check on that. For the layman, the PS3 version has a slightly lower FPS but less tears, whereas 360 has a slightly higher framerate, but tears. Also, the borders stay. Sorry haters. But at least you can turn various elements of the HUD off, like the button description prompts. Though I keep them on, as I'm a mage at the moment, and always forget what buttons I've hotkeyed my spells to.
I'm nearly 20 hours in, and barely done anything, in terms of just advancing the main storyline. Just been pottering about doing some sidequests and adventuring. Word of warning regarding some quests. You will get some early on that require you to go to certain areas off the beaten path. And doing so, you will get your rear end handed to you as these involve going past some higher levelled foes. Much the same as any other RPG I suppose, but since you can get these quests early on, the natural assumption is that these would be at the very least, easy to attain completion.
You know that
you fought in the demo? Pretty easy wasn't it. Well I got ambushed by it during night, and the story didn't end well. Upon reload I quickly fled the area and went to try a different quest. One more thing with escort quests. You will get some that lead you into areas that quite frankly needs you to level up somewhat. And as these are one shot deals (quest failure = dead guy, and no second chance) it's best to cancel the quest until you're confident of the
And onto a nice segway into the fights.
The main was always the combat mechanics for me. Whilst not Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden for that matter in terms of combos, it still beats the hell out of other Action RPG's.
I've rolled a Mage first time off, and even though half the fun is clambering the huge beasts... well, doing so being a mage is a bit suicidal. Even regular mobs can had your ass if you're not careful, as I've run into regular bandits which change up where there's archers or mages with them.
There's a day/ night cycle, where night is practically pitch black at it's darkest, even with your lantern out and your pawns. Think Tomb of Giants from Dark Souls with somewhat random ambushes from strong mobs, as they change during the night. Yup, If Dark Souls didn't have "Prepare to Die", i'm Sure Dragon's Dogma would've had it instead.
The 'Pawns' that you can recruit during the game are vast in number and abilities. Essentially NPC combatants to aid your side. You can create one, which in turn can't be hired by other people using the 'Rift' stones as a portal to access the list of people you want to hire. Choose wisely in creating your character physique, as I've read height/ weight/ build has some part to play in various things, such as stamina recovery, weapon weilding ability. For example, a heavy set character would have trouble holding onto creatures for too long because his stamina will deplete a little quicker, and has a slower recovery rate. Yet smaller nimble characters will have trouble with heavy weapons, yet they have quicker stamina regains, making them ideally suited to Mages/ Sorcerors, as they consume quite a bit of stamina using more destructive spells.
Stamina usage, running speed, carrying capacity, wind resistance, and weighing down enemies when you are climbing on seem to be the main ones.
The classes/jobs that you can initially start from are fighter (melee) strider (bows) Mage (spells) and until you hit lvl. 10 and have access to travel to Gran Soren, you won't be able to change your vocation. From there, you can choose hybrid classes like warrior/ ranger/ sorceror/ mystic knight/ magick archer. Each vocation has 10 levels to attain, which in turn grants you different passive and attacking skills to spend your ability points on.
Anyways I'll come back with more later.
[there's a 1.01 update for DLC etc. And I swear they've fixed some of the slowdown when casting some spells, and when exiting/ entering towns/ Gransys]
Action RPG + open world + pseudo online = Welcome to Dragon's Dogma.
Can it work?
I think it can. But with a few rough edges.
First things first. Framerate is more or less the same as the demo, for the PS3 version that is, as the Chimeara battle is the introductory stage to Dragon's Dogma. I'm waiting on the 360 version to arrive to check on that. For the layman, the PS3 version has a slightly lower FPS but less tears, whereas 360 has a slightly higher framerate, but tears. Also, the borders stay. Sorry haters. But at least you can turn various elements of the HUD off, like the button description prompts. Though I keep them on, as I'm a mage at the moment, and always forget what buttons I've hotkeyed my spells to.
I'm nearly 20 hours in, and barely done anything, in terms of just advancing the main storyline. Just been pottering about doing some sidequests and adventuring. Word of warning regarding some quests. You will get some early on that require you to go to certain areas off the beaten path. And doing so, you will get your rear end handed to you as these involve going past some higher levelled foes. Much the same as any other RPG I suppose, but since you can get these quests early on, the natural assumption is that these would be at the very least, easy to attain completion.
You know that
you fought in the demo? Pretty easy wasn't it. Well I got ambushed by it during night, and the story didn't end well. Upon reload I quickly fled the area and went to try a different quest. One more thing with escort quests. You will get some that lead you into areas that quite frankly needs you to level up somewhat. And as these are one shot deals (quest failure = dead guy, and no second chance) it's best to cancel the quest until you're confident of the
And onto a nice segway into the fights.
The main was always the combat mechanics for me. Whilst not Devil May Cry or Ninja Gaiden for that matter in terms of combos, it still beats the hell out of other Action RPG's.
I've rolled a Mage first time off, and even though half the fun is clambering the huge beasts... well, doing so being a mage is a bit suicidal. Even regular mobs can had your ass if you're not careful, as I've run into regular bandits which change up where there's archers or mages with them.
There's a day/ night cycle, where night is practically pitch black at it's darkest, even with your lantern out and your pawns. Think Tomb of Giants from Dark Souls with somewhat random ambushes from strong mobs, as they change during the night. Yup, If Dark Souls didn't have "Prepare to Die", i'm Sure Dragon's Dogma would've had it instead.
The 'Pawns' that you can recruit during the game are vast in number and abilities. Essentially NPC combatants to aid your side. You can create one, which in turn can't be hired by other people using the 'Rift' stones as a portal to access the list of people you want to hire. Choose wisely in creating your character physique, as I've read height/ weight/ build has some part to play in various things, such as stamina recovery, weapon weilding ability. For example, a heavy set character would have trouble holding onto creatures for too long because his stamina will deplete a little quicker, and has a slower recovery rate. Yet smaller nimble characters will have trouble with heavy weapons, yet they have quicker stamina regains, making them ideally suited to Mages/ Sorcerors, as they consume quite a bit of stamina using more destructive spells.
Stamina usage, running speed, carrying capacity, wind resistance, and weighing down enemies when you are climbing on seem to be the main ones.
The classes/jobs that you can initially start from are fighter (melee) strider (bows) Mage (spells) and until you hit lvl. 10 and have access to travel to Gran Soren, you won't be able to change your vocation. From there, you can choose hybrid classes like warrior/ ranger/ sorceror/ mystic knight/ magick archer. Each vocation has 10 levels to attain, which in turn grants you different passive and attacking skills to spend your ability points on.
Anyways I'll come back with more later.
. I'm sure i'll run in to other things as i progress.
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