Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen PS4

This came out recently and I just started a new file. Going with a Sorcerer main and Strider pawn.

On PS3 I had a Ranger main and Fighter pawn. Wanted to try out a magic user as they still use range and kiting.

My Strider pawn will serve the same purpose as the Fighter which is to draw enemy aggro while I cast spells.

If you care about Japanese audio, go to Playasia and buy the Asia version. The western versions dont have them for some reason. The Asia release is fully in English.

I got this in 2014 I think, I played as a strider and a warrior for a bit but I lost interest as i got confused where I was supposed to go with the big open map that was blank until discovered and I kept getting killed by a chimera in the woods or something else. I beat a goblin stronghold or something I don't think i was too far in. Cool game, I like the classes since they each have their own uses and move sets, the climbing on large monsters is really cool and epic.

Eh? It makes no effort to hide where you're supposed to go. Exploring can get you killed, though for me I can still deal with whatever at a low level. Getting jumped by a chimera was one of the first things that happened to me in this game and one of the highlights.

I love this game so much. The world is open but not too gigantic. The classes offer tons of replay value. You will get quite strong eventually especially if you build you character certain ways, but I never do this. I prefer to use the same class and not change for different stat boosts.

For example, the Ranger gets the most stamina per level. So by Lv200 I had a lot, but very low defense. In Bitterblack Isle, a lot of things could kill me instantly or close to it. I would play by sniping, and having my Fighter pawn draw enemies while I picked them off. I would always be looking for higher positions and moving around.

The issue was neither of us had magic attacks, so spirit enemies couldn't be harmed by us, but that was solved by using magical items, or hiring a Sorcerer pawn from a friend.

Playing as a Sorcerer is similar, only they have no dodge roll with insane i-frames like the Ranger. You can cancel casting of basic magic shots and spells by jumping which is super useful, and from jump you can levitate which lets you float around a bit. Positioning is super important.

I believe in preserving the class and dealing with their weaknesses. It just isn't very interesting for me to switch vocations and gain stats that negate the weaknesses.

Getting lost was totally on me, it was me getting lost and other things also. Could you explain the world traversal? I recall in arisen version they added fast travel items, or more of them, I set one once.

At first you can only travel by foot. Once you reach the capital you learn about ferrystones. These can warp you to port a crystal. There are a some already set up permanently, like in the city, but you can get more and set them wherever you want on the map (though not indoors). Also, there's a limited amount you can set at a time, like 5 I think.

Dark Arisen has the eternal ferrystone, which as the name suggests, never runs out. Regular ones were one use only. Originally, on PS3, you could only get this item if you started DA with a save from DD, but in the PS4 version it's included.

The places you need to go are marked on the map or you're told the direction.

How is the rpg stuff? Like equipment and levelling?

Equipment can be upgraded with materials.  There are 3 levels represented by stars. Then there's something called Dragon Forge which is a level above 3 stars. You get this by defeating dragonkin and each type of dragon has a percentage to DF. You can bypass the 3 star levels with DF.

Dark Arisen introduced two more levels. Gold and silver forging which can only be applied to dragon forged equipment. You just need more materials for these, many being Bitterblack Isle only and rare.

I'll get back to you on leveling. Have to work now.

You level up simply by gaining exp from either killing enemies or completing quests.

Each class has different stat growth per level. You can switch classes to build your character if you want. I hate this system. It forces you to play as a class you might not like. I tend to leave the classes as they are rather than changing to level a stat the class is weak in. Just defeats the purpose of having classes to me.

I played strider and warrior, was fun I'll have to pick this up again. How's the frame rate? I've read its solid 30fps, it should be 60 given the hardware, seems like pretty lazy port.

30 I guess. I don't really notice stuff like this. PC is 60 I think so if that stuff bothers you, it's the optimal version.

Here's the stat growth chart.
http://dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/Stat_Growths

It's better than the last gen release, I'll take it but they should have it run 60, unless there's some bad voodoo with the engine.

The PS4 version is 30fps, probably due to the code otherwise giving issues.

Any need for grinding?

You could probably beat the main story easily, but if you want to take on BBI you'll need to level up more.

Is that difficult or time consuming at all?

What do you want to do? Beat the story or do everything? BBI is an optional side story (originally DLC) that will require a bit of time to complete unless you use exploits and OP builds or techniques.

Main game and BBI.

I only know how I played it, with a ranger main and fighter pawn so I don't know how other classes will do.

You're better off asking on the boards. The gamefaqs community is super helpful. I didn't even bother using OP tactics until way after I'd finished BBI.

How does the ranger play then? That's the shield one, I know the assassin class is a hybrid of the ranger and strider.

Ranger has a longbow that has more power and range than the strider's shortbow, but slower rate of fire. It has Tenfold Shot which is ridiculously good. Also uses daggers and has a dodge roll.

Assassin has the highest attack gains per level and can learn a few half-assed versions of moves from other classes, but has it's own stuff too. Can't use magic though.

The shield one you are referring to is either the Fighter or Mystic Knight.

I've seen the assassin can use a shield, fighter must be the one. I had a midget pawn be a wizard, never shutted the fuck up, I've seen you can actually tell them to be quite, nice touch.

Yeah assassin is a mix of a few classes. They can use swords, shields, daggers and shortbows.

If you buy the PS4 version, get the Asia version. It has the Japanese voices as well as full English everything. These were present in the PS3 version but removed in the western release of the PS4 versions for reasons unknown.

They ramble just as much but at least if you do want to have them on, you have the option of changing them up now and then.

How's the enemy roster? Seemed pretty good, a fair amount of regular enemy variants which is nice. The chimera was really cool, how you can kill each head as they all have abilities unique to that head, I give bonus points for the goat head which has magic, Satan would be proud.

Many enemies are advanced version of regular ones, but they get new attacks and behaviors essentially making them completely different. As usual, no one stops to analyze what they can do. It's all visual these days.

There's a complaint I've heard that the game lacks variety and you fight goblins too much. Well, those goblins come in quite a few types. You have ones with shields or horns that can call for reinforcements and power up their fellows. You have greater goblins which can organize others, and in general they can throw rocks, flaming torches, or oil flasks to inflict various status effects. Killing a greater goblin leader causes the others to disperse.

The chimera is a great enemy. Lots of stuff going on.

The goat can heal other parts, the snake can spew poison, and can grab you when you're climbing to go after the goat. It even has this weird attack where it grabs you and holds you up for the goat, which does something like spits on you and inflicts some status I don't remember. The snake can throw you in front of the lion too, like a team attack.

The lion has a ton of physical moves, though unless you play a close range melee class you'll probably never see them. It can also roar and create a shockwave to throw off climbers or stun you. If you leave it until last it goes crazy.

Depending on how you want to fight with it, you can attack the part the pisses you off the most. I get rid of the snake asap (which is why I haven't often seen its grab) then go after the goat. Sometimes I'll opt for the goat first. Then the lion can just go nuts on the pawns. I'm usually a Ranger or Sorcerer, standing somewhere higher blasting it with everything I have.

That's just what it can do to you. I haven't even gone into the effects you can apply to it with status stuff. Sadly, the higher level you get in this game, the less you will see of this cool stuff, and fights will be over in a few seconds.

Just got this, would you recommend that I play on normal or hard for new game?

Hard to say. I go hard mode as you get more exp and money, but the can be tough until you get a few levels.

Enemies may one or two shot you early on, and stamina usage is higher.

You can save anywhere outside of battle though. It's up to you. I know you can change difficulty mid game but I'm not sure if it's a one time change.

So I've been playing this for about 3 days, playing on normal as a Strider, my main lawn is a midget wizard, super useful that guy. But boy do those pawns keep talking, like dood shut the fuck up about the scenery we've passed at least 2 dozen times now. Where's the place to make them talk less? I've see that's a thing.

As a strider it's really cool, fast daggers guy with double jumps, dodge roll and helm splitters. The bow abilities are useful too for ranged offence. The roll is faster than walking so I roll in between sprinting. One skill is just animation cancels, but that takes up a skill slot.

I appreciate how all the different play styles are equally valid, especially by having other party members cover for your faults by being another class. Also love how the warrior has a launcher move that literally launches you at an enemy. I might play as a warrior but I prefer the mobility and ranged options that the strider has.

I like how cyclops and ogres melt away like the latest and greatest Resi B.O.W. I progressed a bit in the main game and now there's a fucken griffon just ravaging npcs and enemies right outside grand soren. Haven't needed to grind I'm about level 20 or so now, I deal good damage but me and my party can die really fast at the same time.

EDIT: Oh yeh I wondered around and flight a golem somewhere, really cool how it animated as if it was at a lower frame rate, had stiff jurky movements since it's a artificial rock monster.

There's an option to turn off their voices.

Make sure to teach your pawn the fire enchantment. Super useful and most things are vulnerable to fire and causes a burn state where they run around or writhe trying to put it out.

Cool, I'll find that option, my midget pawn(dubbed Budds da wiz) has the highest possible voice option and it's charming but starting to bother me, aught something something they go.

Yeh I got fire enchant and fire projectiles up the arse, I've been looking at the wiki for element effects and fire seems generally the best, was using lighting and will use ice to test it. Dark seems mostly for all non element debuffs and critical hits. Aught use for this one or something aught something. Aught need for aught, they all love that word in this game.

Have a wiki page as a guide this time as I got lost about where I was last time again, doing a quest hunting for cultists.

You still playing this?

I stopped a bit after the griffin boss, I’ll get back to it soon enough, I was enjoying it a lot.

This guy has super in-depth guides on each class, though a lot of it is advanced stuff. Worth a look to see how the game plays though.

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLukV9BBsll8VkfkdGbM3NNQrECBp6GX6l

Funny review. I like this guy.

The game is actually...coming to the Switch. Huh.

This is a nice surprise. Never thought this would end up making it to the Switch considering the game only runs at 30FPS on the Xbone and PS4 versions, but I guess they found a way to make it work!

I sincerely hope Itsuno's next game is DD2. The first one was okay, but you could tell there was so much more they wanted to do with it. The potential for something amazing is definitely there.

Eh? You didnt find it amazing? I sure as hell did and I've lost count of the hours sunk into it.

Though it's true more could've been done. The warrior class is quite lacking I find and it would've been nice to have an option to switch through arrow types instead of having to equip them in the pause menu. MHW did this reasonably well.

Nah. I liked the game, but it's pretty obvious they weren't able to accomplish what they were going for. Even Itsuno said they only accomplished about 60% of what they wanted to with the first Dragon's Dogma. If you look at some of the planning documents, the game was going have a much bigger world, eventually taking you to the moon for instance, but all the ideas they had got cut either for time or because the tech wasn't there.

I also just thought the world had a very generic fantasy vibe to it, and whenever people told me it was like Shadow of the Colossus I got really excited to take down giant beasts, but then in the game you just jump, crawl up a bit, then whack. Not really the same. I thought the class system was the main draw to it, which was fun, and I'm still kicking myself for not delving into the dual knife (Scout Class?) until after I was pretty much done playing it. I would have fucking loved that class. Kind of reminds me of Ninja Gaiden. I thought having port crystals was kind of a weird idea, and it was kind of annoying having to keep traversing the same open stretches of land when you wanted to go anywhere, especially with how shitty the Sprint was. People also hyped up the combat a lot saying it was like DMC in an RPG, but it's like a very stripped down version of DMC's combat, so that was kind of a let down. I also just found a lot of the enemies to be a bit boring to fight.

Anyway it's good, but I just never felt it was great from what I played. But I think a sequel could really elevate it to Masterpiece Status. I just think the technology and time wasn't there when they made it so the game comes across as more of an interesting experiment than a great game to me. Make a sequel with a bigger world, expanded class system, expanded pawn system, more complex combat, MUCH bigger battles, stray off the beaten path when it comes to the fantasy aspects, stuff like that. I'm sure someone who was more passionate about the game would have more creative ideas, but those are some that I think would improve the game.

Part of the reason I didn't find it as amazing as you did could be because I never was the type of guy to make a bunch of builds in RPGs. I always hear people talk about how many different Dark Souls builds they have for instance, whereas all I want to do is have my sword so I can whack things lol.

Now that I think about it, I feel the same way about Breath of the Wild. Felt more like an experiment for an open world Zelda game rather than something that was actually amazing. A sequel could really make it shine though (ie actually feeling like a Zelda game.)

The good news is, I think a sequel is in the cards, especially with all these re-releases. I would bet on Itsuno's next game being DD2. Can't wait. I may go back to it someday to try the Scout class, but at the same time I think I would rather just wait until the sequel to return to the world of Dragon's Dogma.

Edit: I also remember the enemies being really tanky/bullet spongey, which I hate.

Even Itsuno said they only accomplished about 60% of what they wanted to with the first Dragon's Dogma
I read this too, but I dont think it factors into the current quality of the game. That's actually scary though. If I find it so damn good now, imagine if that 40% was there.

and whenever people told me it was like Shadow of the Colossus I got really excited to take down giant beasts
I may have heard comments like this but I never pay attention. They're always wrong. True, climbing doesn't feel as epic as SotC but it has far more going on. SotC is dead basic stuff. DD/DA has stuff like monsters grabbing you off (chimera's snake tail, cyclops grabbing if you're on its head also pulling its helmet off, etc). You can build a Magic Archer as a physical attacker and learn Immolation. This sets you on fire, then you climb an enemy while on fire and with high attack power. No other game has anything like this.

That said I don't like the climbing because it just isn't my play-style.

I thought having port crystals was kind of a weird idea, and it was kind of annoying having to keep traversing the same open stretches of land when you wanted to go anywhere,
I liked the idea that you could set them up anywhere but I don't see why you could only have 5 active at a time. It was more an issue in vanilla though. In DA, you don't really have much need to run around the world to find a drake or something because all the good stuff is in BBI.

People also hyped up the combat a lot saying it was like DMC in an RPG,
Ugh, why do people say stuff like this? They said the same about CL. Neither play anything like DMC, thank God.

I also just found a lot of the enemies to be a bit boring to fight.
Some are. I mainly found certain types more annoying than anything else like harpies. But the enemies have lots of reactions and hit states which is something I love in games.

The larger enemies are great because there's tons of variation. The chimera is probably my favorite. So much going on with that thing. Too bad they never made a more powerful version after gore chimera, because once you get strong enough they go down in a few hits and all those mechanics go out the window.

Bigger world
Not sure. Bigger isn't always better as we see in a lot of open world games. I quite liked DA's smaller world.

Class/pawn system
What did you have in mind for these?

More complex combat
I welcome any improvements, but the combat is pretty advanced, though I'm not entirely sure what this means from person to person. Could you give me some examples? You said you like swords, but I avoid the melee classes though I generally know what they can do because I had a fighter pawn.

Part of the reason I didn't find it as amazing as you did could be because I never was the type of guy to make a bunch of builds in RPGs.
I only stick with ranged stuff so Ranger and Sorcerer.
It's more play-styles like with a Ranger you can go nuts up close with tenfold arrow and daggers, or play like me with the sniper shot and charge arrow from max distance, with a melee pawn to draw enemy attention away from me. I also like to use status inflicting arrows.

With the Sorcerer, you can go all out with nukes or use debilitating spells which is more my style.

I may go back to it someday to try the Scout class,    
By scout I guess you mean the Strider? Daggers and shortbow?
I recommend taking a look at that playlist I posted which has indepth guides to all classes.

Spongey
If you're fighting something super strong with low stats maybe. Do you remember what it was?

Sequel
Here's what I want.

1 - Souls level up system. Let me place stats where I want. As it is now, you have to switch and play as a class you don't want to get their stat growth. Want HP? You have to play as a Warrior. Want magic? You have to play as a Sorcerer. It's totally stupid. I have a ton of build ideas but they'll never happen because of this system.

2 - They already added new class stuff in DD Online so anything like that is welcome.

3 - Don't make the world too huge.

4 - Don't make a system where stats decide everything.

This game on PC with an infinite sprint and weight mod, is so much more enjoyable. Just takes a lot of the open world tedium out and let's you focus on busting heads. Two handed in this game is the berserk game we never got. There was even a guts skin I believe.

Yeah there was similar equipment but it was removed in any release after the PS3/360 versions. I don't know if it was actually their gear or just similar looking and enough to get it removed though.

Did a fair bit of testing of the demo, had a casual run going with Oni and Eternal, but both flaked out well before the runs were done. Didn't have a solo character myself (and never got back to it). Was wanting to do solo playthroughs and specialty runs for it. One fellow in particular (among challenge runners) had my eye, but I didn't finish going over his playthroughs, sadly (same guy made Volgarr the Viking later). A fine fellow. Would probably be a fine fit here (in terms of interests *can't speak to how he would take to the talk of some like myself as he didn't know me beyond my comments on his work*), but no doubt too busy making games (presuming he is still in the business).

I remember liking the ability to cling to foes. Was less thrilled about not having a mode to disable menu pausing, insta-item use (no animation), etc. While not really into 'pawns', the system still felt a little lacking (needing a sequel to greatly improve on it *and how you can ignore it*). Loved the poison build-up sources landing while something is afflicted instead doing HP DMG. Really pains me that Souls still hasn't done this (or made a 'Burn' status). Encumbrance was such an annoyance it also felt like something to keep tied to a higher mode. A lot of interesting spells (was a fan of Death's execution). Larger scale spells tended to look and feel powerful (though the Mystic Knight homing orbs from melee lagged the game like crazy *and it should have had Summoned Swords, a 'Hammerdin' build, etc.*). Maybe the sequel can have Necromancer abilities. Even Souls neglects this path for the most part. Diablo 2 sure didn't.

I let my brother borrow this and he's loving it. Havent touched it in ages then as soon as it's gone I want to play it again.

> liking the ability to cling to foes
Then you might love a physical Magick Archer build with Immolation.

>While not really into 'pawns', the system still felt a little lacking (needing a sequel to greatly improve on it *and how you can ignore it*)
It gets pretty good buy takes a while. You have inclinations and you can alter them with potions. Enemy knowledge helps a lot but will be a while before they learn it all.

>Encumbrance
One of the augments really helps. Forgot the name.

>spells
I'm going with a sorcerer next and Fighter pawn. Got an idea from a friend to level up as a mage for Mdef, then back to fighter for the rest (atk and def) for a nice tank. Add debilitating weapons and you've got a tank that draws enemy attention and can poison slow.

>want to play it again
Eternal really screwed me over starting that playthrough just to bow out.

>Magick Archer
There were a few things that had my eye in the game. Just a shame Warrior is...

>gets better
I've seen as much. Just doesn't play to my interests. Ultimately, I'm solo oriented (thus HnS and such where the 'one man army' is what the game is balanced around). Things with bloated HP pools meant for OP builds and teams don't sit well with me. Really, the harder it leans on the RPG side of things (even before any MP talk *even with AI*). At least it ain't turn-based.

>means to help with Encumbrance
I'm sure. Just an early annoyance when picking up garbage while blind to what to bother with.

>Sorcerer
I'm partial to 'Death', but Tornado (even despite obscuring things for the player) amuses me (more so even than Meteors).

Ok, let's continue in the right place  @Birdman

>Trap?
Are there explosive projectiles which interact with enemies and terrain? Any paralyzing tool?

>Fighters have perfect parries. Not sure about Mystic Knights.
I wonder if each class is interesting enough for an entire playthrough. They seem a lot deeper than Dark Souls builds, so maybe my worry is not justified.

>Problem is switching to a class you don't want to play as but this is min-maxing.
Understood. Not the best thing, but it seems acceptable.

By the way, I've just found a negative analysis of the hard mode by a competent player who does challenge runs. What do you think about his points?

http://taron-millet.blogspot.com/2014/03/why-dragons-dogmas-hard-mode-sucks-i.html

>Are there explosive projectiles
Yes to explosives. There are grenade like items and bows can use bomb arrows.

>which interact with enemies
In what way do you mean? Some will be launched by the explosion.

>and terrain
Other than knocking enemies off somewhere, no. You can't destroy the ground or anything.

>paralysis
Don't think so.

>article
A bit whiny but he's largely right about hard mode. You get stronger much faster with the extra exp and gold.
But his damage problem is off.

>For example, even if you know when they will appear, there's no way to attack bats before they swoop down on you, and even if you react quickly to swat them out of the air when they swarm, there's times where you'll randomly get bit by one anyway and there's really nothing you can do about it.

They ARE annoying early on but this is crap. I could kill them easily without getting touched. He just doesn't know how.

> The enemies in general are much more random in their AI and have a lot less telegraphing in their moves.
Seemed the same to me. But I've been in hard mode for years. Either way they're fine.

>They swarm a lot more often and attack from multiple angles, and there's usually a lot more of them per fight.
Good things.

>Plus many characters don't even have any defensive moves beyond just moving or jumping out of the way, whereas in Dark Souls you pretty much always have options like block, dodge, or parry.
This and the Souls references lead me to believe this is a Souls player who thinks it's the hardest game and can't handle stuff like faster/more enemies. Wanting all classes to have the same defensive abilities really shows it.

Fighter has blocking and parrying.
Ranger and Strider have dodge rolls with i-frames.
Casters can jump cancel out of casting and transition into Levitate.
Assassin can do a little of everything (except magic I think).
Mystic Knight has a huge shield.
Warrior has super armor stuff but I don't know how good it is.
You can jump cancel normal attacks in general.
Fighter has a move where they jump back before lunging forward. Like GH step back kick.
Jumping in general is a way to avoid stuff.
Using terrain to avoid stuff.

I don't think this guy knows what he's talking about and just wants them all the play like Souls characters.

>DD is just far more chaotic than similar games
I control it just fine.

>much harder to completely avoid getting hit
Thought he wanted a challenge?

>Suddenly dying in 1-3 of the weakest attacks from the weakest enemies in this kind of chaotic
How is that chaotic when you know exactly what it is, how it works and you can avoid it?

> free-form combat system doesn't feel "fair" at all
Just...what?

>its not so much a challenge as it is just stupid random death through no real fault of your own.
Just lying now. There's nothing in this game that can unfairly kill you.

>Plus, it really makes it kinda pointless to even bother with armor and such for a large portion of the game because you'll die in the same number of hits regardless.
Crap. Armor helps a lot of you keep getting hit.
And some armor has bonuses.

>Look, I'm cool with dying instantly from a powerful spear stab or leaping attack from a Saurian, for example, even when decked out in great armor, but dying from a rat nibbling on my toe twice that I didn't even notice was there?  That's just dumb.
This makes no sense. Now it's about WHAT damages you and to what degree?

>that I didn't even notice was there?  
That's on the player. Lacking awareness of surroundings.

>That just makes you feel like a weakling that's dependent on these AI characters to do all the heavy lifting for you, and encourages a "stay back and let the pawns handle it" style of play.  Very unsatisfying.
Then mess with their inclinations to make them not do this.

>Plus, hire a high-level pawn (if you are into that system) and there goes all the challenge Hard Mode could have offered you
Complaining about an optional mechanic.

>unless an attack is an instant kill or you have no curatives left, the only thing you need to do to keep alive is get good at hitting that pause button right after you take a big hit.  You can then consume as many items as you want while the game is paused with no risk whatsoever, even while being juggled by attacks or held in a monster's grip

Ok but why not just set that rule yourself? You aren't forced to heal.

>wishes there was a penalty for healing
Ok. But if you're setting challenge rules why not just set one that you can't heal in combat? You have to escape and do it or something.

Don't care about the music thing.

I almost can't believe it. First Lollipop Chainsaw and now this.

Despite it being in the Nvidia leak and Itsuno stating that he was working on a parallel project to DMC5, it's nice to have actual confirmation. Don't know why they didn't announce it during the Capcom event.

I found the whole "hey remember Dragon's Dogma? Crazy right! Alright later" presentation during the Capcom Event super confusing. At least they're working on a new one!