Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen marks the open-world fantasy RPG’s Switch 2 debut, but there is one huge catch that might leave some players frustrated: the Switch 2 version does not support cross-save. The wait for Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen has been months in the making, and both current players and Switch 2 users eager to jump in for the first time have been looking forward to this moment. Of course, first-time players don’t have to worry about this issue, but it could prove to be a significant hiccup for the fans who have been eager to transfer to the Nintendo console.
It’s been two years since Dragon’s Dogma 2 launched, and in that time, fans have been hungry for an expansion. This is what makes Dark Arisen such an exciting prospect, because not only does it mark the arrival of the Switch 2 port, but it also expands the game’s world in a massive way. The various Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen features are significant, and having to start everything from scratch on the Switch 2, regardless of how many hours have been put into the game, has a few pros and cons.
Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Lacking Cross-Save Is a Blow to Players Who Have Already Invested So Much Time
Yes, fans who have been with Dragon’s Dogma 2 since the beginning can still spend time playing the game via PS5, Xbox Series X/S, or PC, but there are bound to be a solid number of players who have been anticipating the chance to experience a handheld version of the game. The Switch 2’s handheld feature is one of the console’s biggest edges against the other competitors, and the chance to play a game like Dragon’s Dogma 2 on the go is a huge plus.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Guess the games from the emojis.
Easy (120s)Medium (90s)Hard (60s)
The list of Switch 2 third-party games continues to grow at a rapid pace, which is putting up some solid competition against Xbox and PlayStation. Traditionally, the “console wars” have been focused solely on an Xbox vs. PlayStation narrative. This isn’t a dig at Nintendo, either. Nintendo is an absolute juggernaut, but it has stayed in its own lane over the years. The company’s current embrace of third-party ports has completely changed the landscape, though.
So, there is a good chance that current Dragon’s Dogma 2 fans have intended to leave PS5, Xbox Series, or PC behind and focus completely on the Switch 2 version, since the console allows the game to be played anywhere while also having the ability to dock at home. However, all the time and effort that has already been put into the game is now null and void because of the lack of cross-save. Getting lost in some of the best open-world RPGs is a fantastic feeling, and players become attached to their characters. Putting hundreds of hours into a game is a huge investment, which makes foregoing cross-save hurt that much more.
There Is Still a Big Upside to Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen’s Lack of Cross-Save
The good news is that Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen on the Switch 2 turns the game into a blank slate. With the gameplay and quality of life improvements in Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, fans get the benefit of feeling like they are jumping into a completely new game for the first time. Certain core features have seen major overhauls, so starting from square one might actually prove to be the best way to experience the game on the Switch 2.
A Look at Some of Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen’s New Features and Upgrades
- New, challenging icy region called Norgan
- Norgan-based campaign that lasts between 15-20 hours
- Added 12 Lost Rites dungeons
- Added character customization features
- New skills and weapons
- More in-depth vocations
Even if the expansion only focused on Norgan and the 12 Lost Rites dungeons, that alone would be a huge upgrade to the base game. However, the team behind Dark Arisen have taken things even further by improving many of the core mechanics that left a bit to be desired at launch. The Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen vocations are a great example of this. Devs could have easily just added one or two more classes and called it day, but the team opted for depth over simply adding more.
Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and Capcom’s approach to the Dragon’s Dogma 2 expansion is proof that depth and refining features can be just as beneficial as adding more to the equation. Norgan helps make the world feel larger, while the upgraded gameplay mechanics and features breathe more life into the experience in a different way. Of course, I’m not saying that the Switch 2’s lack of cross-save isn’t frustrating; it definitely is for those who want to remain loyal to the character they have invested in. However, it also presents the chance to experience Dragon’s Dogma 2 all over again from the start, and that’s pretty exciting.
- Released
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October 9, 2026
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ / Violence, Blood and Gore, Sexual Themes, Language
