Dragon’s Dogma 2 may have gotten off to a rocky start back in 2024, but that hasn’t stopped Capcom from fixing the various issues that have gotten in the way of the game’s fun. When Dragon’s Dogma 2 launched, it was very much a diamond in the rough. Now, with the Dark Arisen expansion set to arrive in October, Capcom is taking even greater measures to make the game’s performance and gameplay as strong as possible. I didn’t expect 2026 to be the year that Dragon’s Dogma 2 got a redemption arc, but here we are.
The release of Dark Arisen on October 9 isn’t the only good news surrounding Capcom’s open-world fantasy RPG. That same date also marks the launch of Dragon’s Dogma 2 on the Switch 2. To prepare for the Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen release and the Switch 2 port, Capcom has made some important changes to the game, and the newest round of updates are a great reminder that in-game friction and frustration isn’t exactly the same as gameplay difficulty. A lot of the time, it’s more annoying than anything, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 seems to finally be making changes to some of its most frustrating features.
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Newest Update Makes Sweeping Performance Upgrades and Quality of Life Changes
Even though I enjoyed Dragon’s Dogma 2 when it first came out, that didn’t stop me from noticing the obvious performance issues. Whether it was PC or console, Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s performance woes kept the game from reaching its full potential in 2024. Considering this game was Capcom’s first open-world project made with the RE Engine, hiccups were bound to happen, but the problems were excessive. The RE Engine also contributed to Monster Hunter Wilds‘ performance issues, but both games have been smoothed out since launch.
Fans across social media have been singing praises about what a significant performance boost this newest Dragon’s Dogma 2 update has given, but beyond performance, the best changes have been to actual in-game mechanics that simply make the experience far more enjoyable.
Here Are Some of the Newest Changes Made to Dragon’s Dogma 2
- There is now an item that can cure Dragonsplague called the Dragonsbaulk Draught.
- The number of save slots has been expanded.
- Various UI adjustments, including equipment favoriting and equipment filters
- Option to skip the opening sequence when starting a new game
- Sweeping adjustments to Pawns
- Assignable weapons skills have been bumped from four to six
- Many bug fixes to quests and general gameplay
Dragonsplague is definitely a cool concept, but it could also be incredibly frustrating. If a Pawn contracts Dragonsplague and players don’t address the problem, the Pawn will eventually turn into a dragon and destroy whatever town the party is staying at, which also kills every NPC villager in the process. This even includes the NPCs that sell items and will grant quests in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Granted, these important Dragon’s Dogma 2 NPCs can be revived with Wakestones, but it’s not like those are exactly the easiest things to come across. Bringing NPCs back from the dead can be a real hassle, so Capcom adding an official Dragonsplague cure to the game is bound to be great news for players who have a particular disdain for dealing with the sickness. Until now, the only ways to deal with Dragonsplague were through dismissing the Pawn or throwing them into the Brine.
When Dragon’s Dogma 2 DLC rumors popped up earlier this year, many were eager to see what the game’s first expansion would have to offer. Now that the expansion is right around the corner, Capcom taking the initiative to smooth out the base game is a promising sign of Dark Arisen‘s quality. Dark Arisen is set to expand Dragon’s Dogma 2 in a huge way, and these quality of life changes are setting the stage for the open-world RPG to potentially have a second chance.
Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s Dark Arisen expansion is introducing a brand-new region called Norgan. It can be found in the northern area of the map and is defined by its harsh cold climate that can prove dangerous if players aren’t properly prepared.
This most recent update is filled with plenty of big upgrades worth being excited about, but Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s major June 2026 update was just as strong. That update brought dedicated fast travel into the equation via the addition of the Eternal Ferrystone, further proving that Capcom has become more willing to step away from the stubborn features that were put into the game as ways to increase difficulty level. Dragon’s Dogma 2 is one of the most challenging open-world games of the past few years, and while that’s a good thing, certain aspects don’t necessarily add to the difficulty; they simply add to the frustration.
It’s a delicate balancing act that devs have to achieve, and Capcom’s willingness to backtrack from a few of its decisions with Dragon’s Dogma 2 is refreshing. Games should be challenging, but gameplay elements that are simply there to add friction instead of truly meaningful hurdles ultimately get in the way. After two years since Dragon’s Dogma 2‘s launch, the devs have been able to collect a lot of player feedback to figure out what’s working and what isn’t, so it makes perfect sense that the team behind the game would bring forth these fixes ahead of a big launch like Dark Arisen. This could potentially be Capcom’s Cyberpunk 2077 Phantom Liberty moment, but only time will tell.
Capcom has had a big year. Between hit games like Resident Evil Requiem and Pragmata and the newly released Onimusha: Way of the Sword, the company has a whole lot to celebrate. Dragon’s Dogma 2 may be a two-year-old game, but the Dark Arisen expansion could mark a new era for the RPG. If so, it would be a huge comeback story for Capcom. The past few updates have put Dragon’s Dogma 2 back on the right track, but the ultimate test will be how Dark Arisen plays at launch.
- Released
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March 22, 2024
- ESRB
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Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence
