Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen – A Cult RPG Classic
If you’ve ever wanted to scale a giant monster, slash at its weak spot while your AI companion yells “Wolves hunt in packs!”, and then get one-shot by a bandit out of nowhere — Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is here for you.
This game is weird. It’s kind of broken. And it’s awesome.
Developed by Capcom and originally released in 2012 (with the Dark Arisen expansion coming shortly after), Dragon’s Dogma has slowly built up a cult following. And after playing it again in 2025, I get it. It’s one of those rare games that sticks with you — not because it’s polished, but because it does a few things really well. Like monster hunting. And letting you throw NPCs off cliffs for no reason.
The Gameplay Loop: Weirdly Addictive
The heart of the game is combat. And I don’t say this lightly — Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen has some of the most satisfying melee and magic combat in any RPG. You’re not just fighting things. You’re grappling, climbing, dodging, and casting spells that look like they could take out a small moon.
Each vocation (class) feels distinct, and you can switch between them freely. Want to go from sword-wielding Fighter to levitating Sorcerer? Go for it. Want to be a Magick Archer that shoots homing arrows of death? Do it. The freedom here is top-tier.
The Pawn System: Your AI Hype Squad
You create a companion called a Pawn — a customizable AI partner who levels up with you, learns enemy weaknesses, and occasionally says something helpful. You can also hire other players’ pawns, which is cool because they bring knowledge from their adventures into your world.
That said, pawns love to talk. Sometimes they’re helpful. Sometimes it’s “This looks interesting” on repeat for 20 hours. Still, there’s something charming about having a whole crew of weirdos who scream encouragement while you fight a hydra.
The World: Big, Gritty, and a Bit Empty
Gransys isn’t the most densely packed open world, but it feels dangerous. Enemies don’t scale to your level, so wandering into the wrong place can mean instant death. Nighttime is genuinely terrifying — visibility drops, tough enemies come out, and you really start to feel like you’re surviving, not just sightseeing.
But yeah… it’s also a bit barren. There aren’t many towns, and side quests are hit-or-miss. You’re mostly here for the combat and the boss fights — not the lore or deep NPC conversations.
The Story: Wait, There Was a Story?
There’s technically a main story — something about dragons and fate and your heart getting stolen — but it’s mostly background noise until the very end. The twist in the final hours is actually cool, but you’ll be too busy hunting chimera and making your pawn wear clown shoes to notice until then.
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- Fantastic combat system — deep, crunchy, and varied
- Flexible class/vocation system with real variety
- Epic monster battles that feel earned
- Unique pawn system with online sharing
- Nighttime and exploration feel genuinely dangerous (in a good way)
Cons:
- Story is barebones and slow to start
- Pawns repeat dialogue a lot
- Open world feels a bit empty and lifeless at times
- Quest tracking/UI is clunky and outdated
- Random difficulty spikes — especially early on
Final Thoughts ★★★★☆
Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen isn’t a perfect game — not even close. But it doesn’t have to be. It swings big with its combat, exploration, and sheer freedom, and somehow all the weird, janky pieces come together to create something unforgettable. It’s the definition of a cult classic, and it deserves that status.
If you can forgive its rough edges, there’s a beast of an RPG waiting for you here. Just don’t forget to bring a lantern.
by Lokhi D | 6 August 2025
