Bethesda-owned RPGs have a common thread of sending players on journeys that take them from one side of the map to the other. This expeditionary design philosophy is what draws players into the immersive worlds of games like Skyrim and Fallout: New Vegas. The long hikes from Riften to Dragon’s Dogma 2 parallel the experience of exploring the vast open worlds of these iconic games.
The key difference lies in the critical path set by game developers. While Bethesda games like Fallout 3 guide players through a series of linear objectives in a confined area, Obsidian’s New Vegas takes a different approach. The main quest in New Vegas pushes the player to venture across the Mojave Desert, embracing the danger and promise of the open world. This design philosophy encourages organic exploration over following quest markers, a concept that Dragon’s Dogma 2 fully embraces.
Dragon’s Dogma director Hideaki Itsuno prioritizes player freedom and immersion over fast travel convenience. The game world is designed to incentivize players to explore on foot, with various challenges and rewards awaiting those who choose to wander off the beaten path. The free-form nature of Dragon’s Dogma 2 encourages players to stumble upon unique encounters and battles, fostering a deeper connection to the world and its inhabitants.
The highlight of playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the sense of discovery and unpredictability that comes with each journey. Encountering towering enemies, interacting with roaming NPCs, and solving progression-based puzzles through spells and abilities enhance the exploration experience. Unlike fast-traveling, exploring the world on foot leads to memorable moments and encounters that shape the player’s narrative in the game.
Lessons from Skyrim and New Vegas
Games like Skyrim and New Vegas understood the importance of immersing players in the rich tapestry of their fantasy worlds. By encouraging players to step off the beaten path and embark on long journeys, these games highlighted the intricate details and hidden secrets waiting to be discovered. Dragon’s Dogma 2 follows in their footsteps by presenting a world that rewards exploration and embraces the unknown.
The journey is what defines RPG worlds and sets them apart from other genres. The sense of wonder and adventure that comes from exploring every nook and cranny of a vast game world is what captivates players and keeps them engaged. Dragon’s Dogma 2, like its predecessors, understands the importance of the journey and incorporates it into the core of its gameplay experience. Embracing the unknown and venturing into the unexplored is what makes RPGs like Skyrim, New Vegas, and Dragon’s Dogma 2 truly unforgettable.
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