I finally picked this up. I'd been interested in it for some time but waited. So far I really like it. Though I've played very little of Demon Souls, its combat has been compared to that game as you have more control over your attacks and shielding. There's more detailed variety in combat moves, not just hitting an "attack" butto over and over.

And its like Shadow of the Colossus in that you have a myriad of fantasy creatures to fight many of which are gigantic and you can climb them. You also have company in this game. You get a main "pawn" that travels with you throughout your journey and then you can hire two other pawns.

Each of you have your own vocation: Figher, Strider, Mage. You can customize your character completely like a good rpg lets you and you get to custome create your main pawn. Then you have inventory and your pawns will do their own looting. Then you can move and share stuff between inventories.

It also has really nice graphics in my opinion. It has a RDR feel in that the textures, details and color palletes used have a very ogranic "feel" and look to them. Vegetation sways, it has great lighting and shadowing and self-shadowing, god rays. I've done very little exploration yet as the introduction and beginning tasks are very tutorial based in nature but from what I've seen, the terrain looks awesome. Distant mountains and moving clouds and the sound of wind. That's what also reminds me of Shadow of the C. Just the sound of wind adds so much atmosphere.

Character hair and fabric has some minor physics which adds to the goodness for me. I've read that you can adjust vocations during gameplay which I hope is true because I have my character as a fighter with sword and shield but I saw a video on youtube that as a mage, you can levitate around which looks awesome. You can also pick up and throw objects.

I've just scratched the surface but this is looking like a little gem of a game. I got the Xbox version as from what I could gather from researching, it has the better frame rates but with some minor screen tearing where as the PS3 version has not as good frames but with a better verticle sync.

I also think they did a great job with the character animations and facial animation. It was really cool seeing the character I just created being rendered in an in-game cutscene.

I'm not interested in MP, but in this game you can hire or hire out your pawn to other players for rift stones which you need to hire pawns and buy stuff. Then while your custom pawn is helping some other person, when he comes back, they've obtained more knowledge, skills and stuff.

Hey Coot.

Nice heads up, I was not aware of this game. It looks good.

It doesn't look like it got much credit but its great. I'm still not far into it yet though. I wish I could show you all a picture of my characters. Plus like a good rpg you start out with zilch. I'm going to have to do some looting and get some experience. I hear you can't fast travel but I read where some guy said you can eventually buy some stones or somesuch that allows you to setup a jump point.

However, you can save anytime you want. Only one save be it autosave or manual but you can save anywhere which is great especially since we're talking a console game. And no auto leveling, so you will come up against foes too strong for you and you won't be punished by the game for running away.

Plus night time is dark so wearing a lantern has a purpose and function.

I guess its sort of a mix of east and west rpg being capcom. The ingame music is appropriate but when I first loaded the game, the main menu music is some sort of wierd rock song lol. I felt like and wandered into LadyHawk. I guess that's what the Japanese think when they think west.

BTW way, my name is Abel Gideon, a lowly fisherman who seeks the destruction of a great dragon menace!

Yes I looked it up and watch a video. Looked like a wee bit of role playing/adventure fun

Pleased to meet you Abel Gideon

I tried the demo when it came out, and decided it wasn't for me. I seem to remember getting extremely annoyed by the constant chatter of the pawns, NPCs etc.

This. And they would always talk over each other, I could never enjoy the chatter. Deleted the demo immediately. I don't have the time to waste on it.

Hate the quests, can't stand the visuals and the lack of variety in the monsters is mind numbing, but it's still rather fun. Although I'm playing other things atm.

The Dark Arisen version came out recently, so I decided to give it another try. Haven't gotten very far into it, pretty much still in the orientation parts. I find it very clunky, ugly, but promising. If my attention span can last longer than 20 minutes at a time, I could see myself putting a few hours into at least.

I didn't know the Dark Aresen was out already.

So is the DA version the same as the base game or is it a sequel?

I had to read into myself. Its the expansion or whatever you want to call it with the original game content. I hope to pick it up tomorrow after work.

It allows you to port over your saves and profile if you already own DD. If you own DD, they reward you with like 100,000 rift stones. You can pick up in DD where you left off in the new repackage and then of course you have Dark Arisen which adds a whole new storyline and land area with intricate dungeons and new foes. You also get to go back to the original land. They've also added a truer fast travel which gets you closer to areas which is a big bonus. Looks like it has new classes and more character customization too.

The online description says you can play the whole first game with the DA fixes for the UI and etc. Is that the case? If I pick up DA can I play the first game and the expansion or do I need the first game and also buy DA?

Sadly, I went to all the stores locally and no one had the game. I might order it online.

amazon page

To me it sounds like just a new edition of the game with added fixes/features and then the Dark Arisen expansion. I would assume you can import your save data and start where you left off and then start the DA portion whenever you wanted.

I'm not for certain but if I get it tomorrow I'll post back with my findings.

Bought a copy off amazon. Hopefully it contains the original game else Ill have to buy that also lol.

There is a sticker on the front of the game that says "Contains the Original Dragons Dogma."

So I think it is safe to assume it does.

Master, I have my copy. It does contain the original game. My copy has two cds. Its a big game and apparently the second disc has an HD texture install. I've read it does not work for an original copy of the game but the Dark Arisen version. I'm not sure how the install process goes but I'll let you know.

Okay, I have two CDs.(Xbox360 version) The second CD says "Install Disc". I installed that one first. You have an option to install the HD pack and the Japanese voice overs which I did not. After install, insert the "Game Disk" to play.

I already own Dragon's Dogma and have a player profile and save data that it automatically detects. I was able to start where I left off and got a new message about a new location which is the trigger for the Dark Arisen expansion. Because I own Dragon's Dogma, they gave me 6 new outfits and 100,000 rift stones. They also gave me the "Ferry Stone" which is what is used to fast travel. You have to visit a merchant or person who can store your items to claim it.

Played it for a few hours last night. Sofar I am liking it but the pawn conversations are annoying and they tend to get in the way A LOT. I wonder how far you can get in the game with just one pawn magic user / healer?

Also, the chimera managed to kill me (through a glitch) in the prologue. Do you get anything special for killing it / finishing the prologue?

I don't remember but I don't think so. When I started out after the prologue I'm just a nobody fisherman with very little. It seems to be kind of a grind to start establishing your skills and gear.

I don't mind the npc chatter so much. Some of the character voices are duplicated but they are well done and they have helpful tips. And there's a lot of dialogue. I keep hearing new things all the time.

The main reason why I don't mind the chatter so much is because I find it a breath of fresh air to have a friendly npc to go through the game with me. These games can get very dark and dreadful in atmoshpere especially underground and its comforting to me to have someone there with me and it relieves some of the tension.

I initially hated the chatter, but this time around I'm dealing with it better for those exact reasons.

Here is what the first hour of gameplay sounds like.

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It is weak to fire!"

"It doesn't like fire and ice!"

"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"
"It is weak to fire!"

"Dont just swing wildly, you'll never hit anything like that"

"It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!"

"You can go to an inn and rest if it is too dark."

"It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!""It is weak to fire!"

"You forgot "I don't think I can stand much more of this"

So far I have kept the first two pawns I ever hired. And I don't really want to loose them. One guy is named Rook and he always enchants my sword and shield with fire when he's nearby and heals the party.

I still only have my second sword and shield. I'm finding it hard to find new weapons for my character.

I bought a iron sword and round shield in the first starter city. I'll probably keep rook and make a archer woman to tag along with me. I just wish they wouldnt speak so much (which is normally the case with women! ZING!)

This looks really good. What are your thoughts on it a few months on? I can get it second hand quite cheap (normal version) or should I get the DA version?

I like it. It is a grind though to raise character levels and get any good stuff. I'd definitely get the DA version Mace if you do. There's no fast travel in the game per say, except for a portal like stone you can get. I never played DD long enough to get it, but the DA version gives you an eternal portal stone so that you can fast travel between major locations. There's still a lot of hoofing it.

One of the things I like is being able to climb on to things you are fighting too. Feels like Lord of the Rings. About a month ago I finally was strong enough character wise to defeat a giant troll. And it can be hit and miss. I probably spent ten or more minutes fighting it, was like one sword swing away from killing it and died. Had to do it again. You can save anywhere though. It probably took an hour but I got him by golly and it felt good.

Then me and my spawns came across another on a mountain ledge. We took him down a lot faster. One of the reasons was because we didn't have pesky wolves and bandits attacking us at the same time. But what was cool was that we almost killed him then he fell off the cliff.

I bought it today

Went into Game and they only had new ones, the original at £15 or the DA version at £20. Took the DA version to the till to pay and the lad serving said they have just had the DA one brought in by someone who looks after their discs and did I want that one for £5 cheaper so worked out well

Great game though, I really like the combat. I picked Strider as my class but I understand you can change over and level up any and all skills?

Just fought the Hydra and was pretty cool.

I believe you can change your character but I'm not sure how or when. I do at some point want to do that though. Maybe before I head underground in DA because I want to be a Mage and levitate around with my cape.

Towards the very start of the game there is a troll at the mouth of a river as it feeds over a cliff. I was trying to sneak by him and he charged me and right off the cliff he goes. Got the experience but no items. Took me about 10 minutes to stop from laughing so hard I could unpause it.

This deserves a two year bump.

Guess what? They are porting this to pc! I've always hoped they would do that. My only concern is FPS. If they port it well and uncap it so we can run it at 60fps I'll be a happy camper. It was also be nice if they would remove the black bars as well. Those two issues and the game playing on a PC monitor will be a lot of fun. Hope they do a good job with the port.

http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/09/08/dragons-dogma-dark-arisen-is-coming-to-pc

I hope someone mods out your companion callouts. I gave up on the game because of those audio call outs every few seconds.

Nah, you'll start to miss your pawns uttering "I don't think I can take much more of this" repeatedly lol.