What We Discovered In Capcom’s Showcase

Capcom dropped a model new Capcom Highlight final evening, and it centered on a bunch of their upcoming and lately launched video games, comparable to Resident Evil Requiem, Monster Hunter Tales 3, and Onimusha: Method of the Sword. Nevertheless, for my tastes, the juiciest stuff in there was in regards to the upcoming Darkish Arisen growth for Dragon’s Dogma 2.

The primary a part of the Dragon’s Dogma 2: Darkish Arisen showcase was only a rehash of the announcement trailer that dropped in the course of the Nintendo Showcase on June 9, but it surely was instantly adopted by the hypest attainable reveal: Kento Kinoshita is returning as director.

In case you’re unaware, Hideaki Itsuno, the creator of Dragon’s Dogma and the unique director of the primary two video games, truly parted methods with Capcom in August 2024, 5 months after the discharge of Dragon’s Dogma 2. Nevertheless, Itsuno didn’t direct the unique Dragon’s Dogma: Darkish Arisen growth–Kinoshita did. The primary Darkish Arisen growth mainly improved the unique recreation in each single method, so it’s a aid to listen to that Kento Kinoshita is returning for directorial duties for Dragon’s Dogma 2: Darkish Arisen.

Earlier than we get into the correctly juicy stuff, there have been a number of throwaway mentions of some new additions coming to Dragon’s Dogma 2’s base recreation as soon as Darkish Arisen releases on October 9, 2026. Some new hairstyles and tattoos are being added to the already spectacular character creator, alongside “12 distinctive dungeons” which might be being added to the unique map. Not a lot information in regards to the 12 new dungeons, but it surely’s cool that the unique map is getting some new stuff, and it gained’t simply all be contained inside the new area, Norgan.

Nevertheless, talking of Norgan, it appears that evidently the Relic system from the unique Darkish Arisen is making a return in Dragon’s Dogma 2: Darkish Arisen. You’ll have the ability to discover armor and weapon relics hidden all through Norgan, alongside getting them as rewards for killing enemies. As soon as appraised, these relics have an opportunity of that includes “particular results” and “distinctive expertise.” 

We additionally acquired a bit of extra information on the undead dragon and the mysterious girl featured within the earlier trailer. Kinoshita acknowledged that the “Fallen Dragon” is on the “coronary heart” (iykyk) of the growth, and that the mysterious girl, named Eir, has been pursuing this factor for a while. Appropriately imprecise for a Dragon’s Dogma recreation, however I’m into it.

There was additionally an attention-grabbing apart a few new replace that Capcom beforehand introduced for the top of August. There’s some not-so-exciting stuff in there, like bug fixes and UI enhancements, however there are additionally deliberate efficiency enhancements and “pawn changes” on the way in which too. Maybe most apparently, there are “changes” deliberate for the Dragonsplague mechanic (apologies upfront to Kotaku‘s Rebekah Valentine). Personally, I like that your pawns have a random probability of contracting a illness that turns them right into a nuclear bomb, however in the event you don’t, Capcom is including “remedy strategies” to eliminate it. This contains an merchandise referred to as the “Dragonsbaulk Draught,” which “frees [pawns] from the affliction” when taken. There are additionally “advantages” to letting your pawns contract Dragonsplague, too, seemingly leading to them shelling out extra harm.

The very best addition within the August replace is that it’ll now add two new weapon ability slots. That is truly outdated information, as Capcom revealed this half two weeks in the past, but it surely’s such an important addition that it bears repeating. I can’t wait to take advantage of busted Wayfarer class identified to man by slapping extra Mystic Spearhand and Magick Archer expertise onto it.

Total, yeah, it seems to be superior. On the very least, it’s good {that a} bunch of quality-of-life enhancements are deliberate; hopefully because of this Capcom will lastly handle to cease the framerate from tanking each time I step foot in Vernworth’s metropolis sq..