Key information
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen introduces the Norgan region, an isolated tundra accessible after obtaining the Godsbane blade. While the expansion offers new content, the reviewer notes it feels like a restriction of the base game's scope rather than a transformative expansion. Despite this, the reviewer concludes the DLC is well worth playing.
Mechanically, the game now allows six combat skills per vocation. New content includes 12 Lost Rites dungeons that provide gear and flames for activating Obelisks in Norgan, which grant permanent stat buffs and skill upgrades. However, the reviewer criticizes the reliance on randomized Relics, which quickly render base-game gear obsolete and cannot be upgraded.
The reviewer praises Norgan's vertical, dense map design and environmental hazards like blizzards. However, they express disappointment that the expansion lacks the memorable impact of the original game's Dark Arisen. The narrative is described as having a more telegraphed hook with increased NPC involvement, though the reviewer finds the overall experience less cohesive than the base game.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is available on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The reviewer suggests that while the expansion may not change opinions on the base game, it remains a worthwhile addition for players.
