The world of Dragon’s Dogma is a unique one even amongst games in a similar genre. Capcom’s open-world RPG duology is hard to compare to other games at times. But if you’re hankering for something as similar as possible, here are 10 games that are like Dragon’s Dogma 2.
10. Dragon Age Origins
Kicking this list off is a game that’s frankly nothing like Dragon’s Dogma 2 in terms of basic gameplay. Dragon Age: Origins is a more strategy-focused RPG that plays similarly to Baldur’s Gate 3 and Divinity: Original Sin 2. However, in terms of tone, the Dragon Age series matches Dragon’s Dogma classicly fantasy-inspired world.
The entire Dragon Age franchise is worth experiencing at least once if only to see what Bioware can cook up when it isn’t working on a Mass Effect. And you’d better get started with this series now before the next mainline Dragon Age comes around. We might still have a long time to wait but you won’t want to have three massive playthroughs sneaking up on you when the fourth game comes out.
9. Fable
Fable is a far more whimsical game than Dragon’s Dogma 2 in many ways. From its aesthetics to its more simplistic gameplay. Fable is a game that offers up a basic world with intriguing RPG mechanics and a morality system that serves up two completely distinct playthroughs. So in terms of choices having consequences on the world, both Fable and Dragon’s Dogma have that in common.
The Fable series is a nice change of pace if all you’re used to is gritty and dark fantasy games. And after traipsing through crypts and dark forests in Dragon’s Dogma, it might be nice to take things a little easier. So be sure to give Fable a try if you want a different sort of experience.
8. Assassin’s Creed Origins
The scale of Dragon’s Dogma feels almost overwhelming at times due to the way the games handle fast travel. And it’s hard to find that sort of scale in other games in this genre. With that said, the most recent Assassin’s Creed titles present you with a gigantic open world and plenty of RPG systems to keep you busy.
For a few reasons, Assassin’s Creed Origins is arguably the best out of the last few games. Egypt is a dense yet fun world to explore, and there are dozens of interesting side quests. And then when you’re done you’ve got Odyssey and Valhalla to chew through. All three of these games are gigantic in scope and should distract you until you’re ready for the next Dragon’s Dogma playthrough.
7. Kingdom Come: Deliverance
If you’re looking for a game that’s about as far removed from Dragon’s Dogma 2 as possible while still letting you swing a sword, this is the one. Kingdom Come: Deliverance is a hardcore medieval simulator that has you explore 15th-century Bohemia. This is still an RPG but with so many systems that seek to emulate real life.
Kingdom Come: Deliverance is undoubtedly one of the most immersive RPGs in recent times. Its slow-paced nature might be the perfect palate cleanser for the fast-paced action of Dragon’s Dogma. Just be prepared for a game that does not mess around with its difficulty in the first few hours. There is a lot to learn in this game but part of the fun is discovering all it has to offer.
6. The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Of course, the most popular Western RPG of the last decade has to be on this list somewhere. Skyrim is the quintessential open-world RPG and there’s a very low chance that you haven’t played it. But even if you already spent hundreds of hours in the ice-cold winds of Skyrim it’s hard to walk away forever. And after playing through Dragon’s Dogma you might want to relive the fun of slaying dragons in a different world for a change.
Skyrim also has one thing that separates it from all the other titles on this list, extensive mod support. The game has nearly 13 years’ worth of modding support. So even if this is your 43rd playthrough of Skyrim, chances are good that you can find ways to spice it up. Plus it never gets old hearing one of the best soundtracks in all of gaming.
5. Baldur’s Gate 3
Baldur’s Gate 3 took home the Game of the Year award in 2023 for many — and for good reason. It’s one of the best RPGs of the last few years and the perfect game to play once you’re done with Dragon’s Dogma 2. A standard playthrough of Baldur’s Gate 3 is likely to take you between 80 and 100 hours to complete, so you’ll be busy for a long time.
Gameplay-wise there aren’t many similarities between Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Baldur’s Gate 3. The core of the game relies on a turn-based strategy using the ruleset of Dungeons and Dragons. But the soul of choices having consequences and the world being incredibly dense is what they share in common. So if you want another game to put an embarrassing amount of time into, Baldur’s Gate 3 is ready and waiting.
4. Final Fantasy XVI
It’s odd how many vague similarities Final Fantasy XVI has to Dragon’s Dogma when you think about it. Both worlds have the same classic medieval setting with monsters roaming the lands. Even the gameplay has some similarities with Clive’s various Eikon abilities being very similar to the ones found in Dragon’s Dogma. This makes Final Fantasy XVI a strange game to play after the fact.
That isn’t to say that Final Fantasy XVI is a 1:1 copy of Dragon’s Dogma. After all, this is a Final Fantasy game and there are plenty of unique aspects that separate it. From very fast-paced combat to a darker narrative, Final Fantasy XVI sets itself apart from the other titles in its series quite a bit.
3. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt
It feels only natural to go from a game about dragon slaying to a game about slaying monsters. The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt puts you in the boots of Geralt of Rivia as he searches for Ciri. And while it has a gigantic open world, it’s really the story that draws you in. And that narrative focus is what separates this game from a lot of other like-minded RPGs.
In terms of gameplay, The Witcher 3 offers up a similar style of combat with more emphasis on timing your attacks and dodges and preparing for battle by brewing potions. There’s a lot more thought that goes into some encounters because of this, especially on higher difficulties. So if you want an experience that’s a little more challenging, this might be the perfect one to go for.
2. Monster Hunter World
There aren’t many games on this list that can compare to how much potential time and effort you can put into Monster Hunter World. Capcom’s big evolution of the Monster Hunter series only seems to get more popular as time goes on. And with Monster Hunter Wilds slated for release in 2025, there’s no better time to get acquainted with the series either before or after you’re done with Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Monster Hunter World is by no means a simple game to get into. There are dozens of little mechanics and bosses to learn and a whole expansion with Iceborne. So get ready to spend upwards of 50 to 60 hours in this game while you take on monsters of all kinds.
1. Elden Ring
It feels a bit strange to put Elden Ring at the top of the list but there isn’t a better comparison for Dragon’s Dogma 2. FromSoftware’s gigantic open-world title doesn’t share too much in common with Capcom’s duology. However, both games require you to explore their worlds on their own terms and feature exploration that does not hold your hand.
Your journey through the Lands Between is entirely guided by you. The characters you meet, enemies you slay, and places you visit will only be found by you. In that sense, both Elden Ring and Dragon’s Dogma 2 incentivize player freedom through genuine exploration. And there’s not a game out there that does this better than Elden Ring.
That’s a big list of RPGs to play before or after you’re done with Dragon’s Dogma 2. But this year is looking to feature plenty of games that should scratch that itch as well. RPG fans are getting a lot of good stuff in 2024.
Published: Mar 12, 2024 12:00 pm