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Dragon's Dogma Demo Impressions

d&d shadows over mystara

FIYABALL!

smile


One of those memorable sounds.
 

Derrick01

Banned
This was the only excerpt from the review via Metacritic:

"Much like the main character's chest cavity, this RPG ultimately feels hollow, with no real heart."

They probably had quarrels with the story and maybe the world overall lacking in interesting content.

and yet Skyrim got a 10. Gotta up that marketing budget Capcom!
 

vg260

Member
FYI, Amazon now has a $10 credit pre-order offer for it.

I'd much rather a PC version for better performance, but I might just have to bite.
 

ironcreed

Banned
Yep, scores are going to be all over the place for this one. Even the Game Informer review said that it was a very unconventional game for Capcom and for the genre in general. Being ambitious and and trying to offer something a bit different will bite you on the ass on one end and shower you with praise on the other.

At any rate, I have seen more than enough to know it's what I want. Will not be the first time I love a game that gets a spotty/mixed reception and I wager it will not be the last. In fact, I was pretty much expecting as much in this game's case.
 
Having played the demo, here's some of the things I hope are changed in the final product:

  • The rate at which pawns share their observations with you - I'm being drowned in pointless dialogue in the middle of a boss battle.
  • Give me a way to lock on to enemies - combat can get chaotic and it's easy to get lost in the fray.
  • During the prologue quest, I got stuck inside a corner during the fight with the chimera. I was unable to rotate the camera for a better view or move. In combat, the game has some serious camera issues.
  • There are a few rough edges in the graphics, particularly in the character creator, that I expect to be corrected in the final game.

...I imagine I'll end up buying it, anyway. But these were some of the issue with the demo that bothered me.
 

sublimit

Banned
Having played the demo, here's some of the things I hope are changed in the final product:

  • The rate at which pawns share their observations with you - I'm being drowned in pointless dialogue in the middle of a boss battle.
  • Give me a way to lock on to enemies - combat can get chaotic and it's easy to get lost in the fray.
  • During the prologue quest, I got stuck inside a corner during the fight with the chimera. I was unable to rotate the camera for a better view or move. In combat, the game has some serious camera issues.
  • There are a few rough edges in the graphics, particularly in the character creator, that I expect to be corrected in the final game.

...I imagine I'll end up buying it, anyway. But these were some of the issue with the demo that bothered me.

Developers said that there will be an option to fix the rate at which pawns share information with you.We could even turn it off completely if we want to.

I agree that the game really needs a lock on button though.
 
Developers said that there will be an option to fix the rate at which pawns share information with you.We could even turn it off completely if we want to.

I agree that the game really needs a lock on button though.

Eh...lock-on or a camera fix, if we got one it'd fix the other. I'm confident we'll probably get a camera fix of some sort in the final product.

And fuck the reviews, if it's an open-world action-RPG not made by Bethesda, it's never going to score higher than an 8.5 in any media. It's not always the game's fault, either. I'm thinking DD will be this year's Nier - game that a lot of people pass on initially that goes cult after people realize how much it does that other games do not. I'm excited.
 

ironcreed

Banned
And fuck the reviews, if it's an open-world action-RPG not made by Bethesda, it's never going to score higher than an 8.5 in any media. It's not always the game's fault, either. I'm thinking DD will be this year's Nier - game that a lot of people pass on initially that goes cult after people realize how much it does that other games do not. I'm excited.

Yeah, as much as I love The Elder Scrolls, the series is not exactly spot free in terms of issues, ranging from technical, gameplay and story. But that does not stop it from being loved for the fun the open world can provide. Especially when it comes to reviews.

As far as Dragon's Dogma goes, it is doing things we have never seen in an open world action RPG of the fantasy variety. Yet, whatever warts or niggles it may have will be far more amplified than those of the Elder Scrolls in reviews. That is why I really don't give a shit either. That is just the way things are.

New IPs have it rough, and that is why we keep getting the same old shit. People want something different, but then complain when they get something that is not the same. Still, I hope the game does reasonably well and is at least a small hit with gamers, regardless of what the review average ends up being.
 
Eh...lock-on or a camera fix, if we got one it'd fix the other. I'm confident we'll probably get a camera fix of some sort in the final product.

And fuck the reviews, if it's an open-world action-RPG not made by Bethesda, it's never going to score higher than an 8.5 in any media. It's not always the game's fault, either. I'm thinking DD will be this year's Nier - game that a lot of people pass on initially that goes cult after people realize how much it does that other games do not. I'm excited.
I just started playing this yesterday and I feel like a horrible person for not being there to support it when it came out. Dragon's Dogma is definitely going to be a day one for me.
 

eshwaaz

Member
OXM has given it a 6 out of 10. It's a mag review, so I haven't found specifics yet. Not an encouraging score though, but I'd like to see the complaints. As a reference, they gave Amalur an 8, Skyrim a 10 and Dark Souls an 8.5.

Keep in mind that it's not the OXM who have been putting up all the videos. That's OXM UK.
I'd like to know who wrote the review. If it's Meghan Watt, I can personally disregard the review, as our tastes are dramatically different. She gave the original Dead Space a 6.5, which I find insane.
 

ironcreed

Banned
Pelit Magazine out of Finland (been around for awhile over there and is on Metacritic) gave the PS3 version a 92. Someone posted the entirety of the review over on Gamefaqs. So if you want to read it, check it out there. They were not crazy about the story, but thought the game itself was excellent.
 

sublimit

Banned
This is one of the games that my gut instict is telling me that i'm going to enjoy a hell of a lot.And when my instict is telling me that,then i don't care even if the game scores 0/10 or 20/10.I don't even bother reading the reviews.

I had the same gut instict before i imported Demon's Souls as well,at a time when most people where looking down at it.
 

ironcreed

Banned
There's something wrong with moving the camera right up her ass and then flashing the word COME COME COME on the screen. Funny video.

LOL, good catch.

Just thinking about it, this is really just another example of why the game will be so fun. It's an open world game, and they have clearly added all sorts of elements for you to be able to have a great time. Whether it be on the ridiculous side, tension from exploring at night, or from 'holy shit' moments during battles. This game will have all of that and is what it is all about.

If you go in wanting a great story and have a hard time making your own fun, then chances are, you will be let down. Speaking of which, I am betting the story is OXM's main gripe. But that is not the point in an open world game like this to begin with. Even Game Informer said that the Spartan approach of making your own fun is what makes the game shine.
 
I doubt story is why they gave it a 6. Amalur has a shit story too and I think they gave that an 8. I'm guessing its a combo of bad story, graphics, repetitive enemies, repetitive bland world. 6 seems quite harsh though. At first I was nervous because they posted all those videos, and then I remembered it was OXM UK that did all the videos and spread all the DD hype.
 

Derrick01

Banned
I doubt story is why they gave it a 6. Amalur has a shit story too and I think they gave that an 8. I'm guessing its a combo of bad story, graphics, repetitive enemies, repetitive bland world. 6 seems quite harsh though. At first I was nervous because they posted all those videos, and then I remembered it was OXM UK that did all the videos and spread all the DD hype.

But....they gave skyrim a 10 :\
 
I keep forgetting to download the demo for this. I'm definitely liking what I've seen in the recent gameplay videos, and other than the lack of co-op, there really isn't much to be disappointed about.

Don't have the money for a day-one purchase though. I'll probably get it once it hits $40, if I like the demo.
 

Arcteryx

Member
Pelit Magazine out of Finland (been around for awhile over there and is on Metacritic) gave the PS3 version a 92. Someone posted the entirety of the review over on Gamefaqs. So if you want to read it, check it out there. They were not crazy about the story, but thought the game itself was excellent.

Yea just finished reading that review. Seems like they really enjoyed it and only found a few small faults with it, but nothing major.

Story definitely seems to be the games weakest point, but I never buy open world RPGs for the story. I'd rather the game have a VERY loose story and allow me to make my own.


I doubt story is why they gave it a 6. Amalur has a shit story too and I think they gave that an 8. I'm guessing its a combo of bad story, graphics, repetitive enemies, repetitive bland world. 6 seems quite harsh though. At first I was nervous because they posted all those videos, and then I remembered it was OXM UK that did all the videos and spread all the DD hype.

The Pelit review actually mentions that the enemies/environments are NOT repetitive, and that encounters/environments are pretty fresh, always keeping you on your toes.

Honestly don't get what people are saying with all the "bland environment" comments. Skyrim has some of the most downright ugliest environments I've seen in ages(pre-mods of course).
 

ironcreed

Banned
I doubt story is why they gave it a 6. Amalur has a shit story too and I think they gave that an 8. I'm guessing its a combo of bad story, graphics, repetitive enemies, repetitive bland world. 6 seems quite harsh though. At first I was nervous because they posted all those videos, and then I remembered it was OXM UK that did all the videos and spread all the DD hype.

I am betting it is a big factor, though. Seems to be a recurring theme in all the reviews released so far as well. Regardless, I am not surprised that the reception is starting to be mixed. I have been expecting as much from the get-go, but thankfully, it is still leaning more towards the positive end. Anyway, if I can enjoy games like The Elder Scrolls with it's truckloads of issues, I think I will do fine here.
 
But....they gave skyrim a 10 :\

Skyrim's got anything but a bland, repetitive world. The story is debatable, but I personally loved it. I would have scored it down for bland combat and repetitive enemies. But the engine performed beautifully and the world was amazing. Can't say either of those things about DD. People here admit they dont care that DD's story is crap. So that leaves graphics/world-design, which at least 2 reviews now have derided, and enemy design, which again the 2 reviewers said were extremely repetitive, and combat, which all seem to like a lot. I don't think its a mystery where the sticking points in that 6/10 are going to come from. It sounds like we're getting a mediocre open-world RPG with awesome combat/battles. But I only have 2 reviews and one review score, a demo, plus a ton of videos to base that on. A reviewer's desire to overlook the bad to emphasize the good will determine the average score here. My guess is the final average ends up in the high 70s alongside Amalur, which itself is extremely flawed, but also fun.
 

Anteater

Member
I doubt story is why they gave it a 6. Amalur has a shit story too and I think they gave that an 8. I'm guessing its a combo of bad story, graphics, repetitive enemies, repetitive bland world. 6 seems quite harsh though. At first I was nervous because they posted all those videos, and then I remembered it was OXM UK that did all the videos and spread all the DD hype.

Were there any reviews that criticized the repetitive enemies? I think Edge only complained about the quests, enemy variety is my issue with the game from watching the videos (god damn harpies and goblins), but strangely it's one of the things I don't see reviewers talk about.
 
As a newcomer to this thread, can I ask where everyone's getting the impression that the story's trash? Are we just taking the reviewer's word for it? Since when did we ever do that?
 
Were there any reviews that criticized the repetitive enemies? I think Edge only complained about the quests, enemy variety is my issue with the game from watching the videos (god damn harpies and goblins), but strangely it's one of the things I don't see reviewers talk about.

Someone mentioned that the fights from the demo aren't that special the 5th or 6th time you have to fight those enemies, which are merely the same thing with more HP. I'd assumed those were boss fights, but apparently they're standard world enemies. At this point I glean more from the Penfold videos than I do reviews/previews. Too many bullshit scores for games like Amalur, Skyrim, Uncharted 3, Zelda etc have reinforced my hatred of scores. They're just noise now. I read them to see if there's something consistently wrong with the game that I can't live with across all reviews. Otherwise mehhhh
 

ironcreed

Banned
My guess is the final average ends up in the high 70s alongside Amalur, which itself is extremely flawed, but also fun.

I would guess close to the same. But for me personally, I think this game will absolutely smoke Amalur. It is just more my speed all the way around.
 
I would guess close to the same. But for me personally, I think this game will absolutely smoke Amalur. It is just more my speed all the way around.

Amalur's world is infinitely more interesting to me than DD, which is quite bland. Amalur falls apart when it comes to difficulty balancing, which to me is an absolute crime and tells me they didnt bother to test it properly. I regret giving them my money.
 

ironcreed

Banned
As a newcomer to this thread, can I ask where everyone's getting the impression that the story's trash? Are we just taking the reviewer's word for it? Since when did we ever do that?

I actually think it looks interesting enough to hold my attention and will give me plenty of reason enough to go out into the world and make my own fun. Which this game seems to be going to extremes to encourage you to do, given all of the funny, tense and 'holy shit' scenarios we have seen. I'm more than OK with that.
 

ironcreed

Banned
Amalur's world is infinitely more interesting to me than DD, which is quite bland. Amalur falls apart when it comes to difficulty balancing, which to me is an absolute crime and tells me they didnt bother to test it properly. I regret giving them my money.

I prefer the earthy, classic D&D fantasy look to the super colorful high fantasy world of Amalur any day. I already know I prefer the gameplay (I can jump and even climb), plus it will easily have more freedom to make your own fun, better enemy design, a more open world without invisible barriers everywhere, and more epic encounters on the whole.
 

Anteater

Member
Amalur's world is infinitely more interesting to me than DD, which is quite bland. Amalur falls apart when it comes to difficulty balancing, which to me is an absolute crime and tells me they didnt bother to test it properly. I regret giving them my money.

I have a feeling DD might have balancing issues due to the fact they are relying heavily on pawns (even though I guess players could adjust for themselves), with levels and no enemy scaling, and judging from the fact no reviewers were screaming the game being hard, I would assume they breezed through the main campaign with pre-made pawns from the Rift and/or offline.

It's why I really want to know about side contents, and replayability which none of the reviews touch on this subject.
 
I have a feeling DD might have balancing issues due to the fact they are relying heavily on pawns (even though I guess players could adjust for themselves), with levels and no enemy scaling, and judging from the fact no reviewers were screaming the game being hard, I would assume they breezed through the main campaign with pre-made pawns from the Rift and/or offline.

It's why I really want to know about side contents, and replayability which none of the reviews touch on this subject.

Yep, that's all a concern to me as well. I feel burned by Amalur, and I'm already going into DD knowing that I despise Capcom, so hopefully I won't be making another mistake buying this. Worst case scenario I buy it for 49.99 from Amazon and trade it back to them for 30-35. A fifteen dollar mistake isn't necessarily the worst risk I've ever taken.
 

ironcreed

Banned
Yep, that's all a concern to me as well. I feel burned by Amalur, and I'm already going into DD knowing that I despise Capcom, so hopefully I won't be making another mistake buying this. Worst case scenario I buy it for 49.99 from Amazon and trade it back to them for 30-35. A fifteen dollar mistake isn't necessarily the worst risk I've ever taken.

Yeah, if you are having doubts just wait or even rent it just to see if you dig it. Better than being disappointed if the game ultimately is not for you.
 
Yeah, if you are having doubts just wait or even rent it just to see if you dig it. Better than being disappointed if the game ultimately is not for you.

Renting's no longer an option. Apparently Redbox doesn't see the value in the game, so they're not offering it.
 

Seraphis Cain

bad gameplay lol
Yeah, add me to the list of people burned by Amalur hoping that DD will be better/more balanced. If I get burned here (which I'm doubting), I might have to swear off open world RPGs for a while.
 

george_us

Member
and yet Skyrim got a 10. Gotta up that marketing budget Capcom!
The fact that Skyrim got a 9, let alone a 10, anywhere is baffling to me but I digress. It's clear as day though that the score of your game is clearly dependent on your "marketing budget" as you put it these days.
 

Grisby

Member
I'd like to know who wrote the review. If it's Meghan Watt, I can personally disregard the review, as our tastes are dramatically different. She gave the original Dead Space a 6.5, which I find insane.
Oh man, yeah, thats different from my tastes too.
 

Anteater

Member
Yeah, add me to the list of people burned by Amalur hoping that DD will be better/more balanced. If I get burned here (which I'm doubting), I might have to swear off open world RPGs for a while.

You could probably adjust by using lower level pawns or less of them, but we will see, since the pawns is a major feature, the problem with the game is that they allow you to do whatever you want and however you want, I think they even let you hire high level pawns for free from your friends, just because they want players to have fun, but at the same time the game seems to allow you to do things in unconventional way, so I think I'll have a lot of fun there.

I think I'll get my ass kicked as a tank myself, so I'm pretty sure I'll have a lot of fun :p
 

abundant

Member
Play Magazine has given the PS3 version a 48 percent. Yikes. Scans are a no-no here, so I'll just direct you on over to Gamefaqs.

The biggest complaint he had was that he found the pawn AI lacking and since you barely have any command over them besides the basic Help and Come commands, he found that what could have been a good strategic combat system boils down into your pawns whacking the enemies over and over. He said that multiplayer would have fixed this issue.
 
Play Magazine has given the PS3 version a 48 percent. Yikes. Scans are a no-no here, so I'll just direct you on over to Gamefaqs.

Yep, just read it.

"A clunky, confused mess of a game that simply doesn't know what it wants to be. There's comfort in how compulsive it can be, but that factor doesn't magically turn Dragon's Dogma into anything but a flawed, dull and unfair experience."

Seems like they couldn't handle the difficulty...
 

RPGCrazied

Member
I now can't play this until late May in order to secure Diablo 3 CE. :) I'm sure it'll help pass the time and to hear all of you guys impressions on the game.
 
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