I've had bad luck with AI companions in games, but Dragon's Dogma 2's approach to party-based RPGs might change that

GamesRPGDragon’s Dogma 2I’ve had bad luck with AI companions in games, but Dragon’s Dogma 2’s approach to party-based RPGs might change thatWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesRPGDragon’s Dogma 2I’ve had bad luck with AI companions in games, but Dragon’s Dogma 2’s approach to party-based RPGs might change thatWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Capcom) That being said, I’m enjoying these bots far more than I did many scripted, controllable companions in some of thebest RPGs. Pawns are exactly what the name suggests: a vast pool of passionate, somewhat expendable AI companions that can be recruited and dismissed from your DD2 adventuring party at will. I thought I would miss having scripted NPCs accompanying my main character, each with a backstory and stakes in the game’s proceedings, but Pawns have proven the best possible sidekicks in the grand scheme of things. They add toyourstory instead of insisting upon their own, but that doesn’t mean you can’t grow fond of them. It’s making me wonder if Dragon’s Dogma 2’s more stripped-down approach to storytelling might be the best way forward in party-based RPGs, and it boils down to one thing: player choice coming first. Hear me roar (Image credit: Capcom) Open worlds apart(Image credit: Larian Studios)Baldur’s Gate 3 over-prepared me for Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it’s made me appreciate what makes both RPGs so unique Open worlds apart (Image credit: Larian Studios)Baldur’s Gate 3 over-prepared me for Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it’s made me appreciate what makes both RPGs so unique (Image credit: Larian Studios) Baldur’s Gate 3 over-prepared me for Dragon’s Dogma 2, but it’s made me appreciate what makes both RPGs so unique These kind of experiences have served to steer me away from many real-time tactics or party-based RPGs over the years. I’m a single-player kind of person, but if I’m forced to work with others, they need to back me up reliably and have a modicum of autonomy. Literally even justonedegree of autonomy, thank you very much. That’s where Dragon’s Dogma 2 fits the bill. I was so concerned about choosing anything other than kindhearted Pawns for fear they would just abandon me on the battlefield, but through Lion, I found the error of my ways. I’m not sure if it was his voice, sarcastic and snooty and clearly tired of my bullshit, but Lion was the first Pawn I met in Dragon’s Dogma 2 that made me delighted to be in his company. I’d met him soon after arriving in the kingdom of Vernworth, and I delayed our inevitable parting of ways for as long as possible. His straightforward attitude complemented the kindhearted and calm inclinations of my other two party members respectively, and his tanky build meant that I didn’t have to worry much about stopping to revive him. (Image credit: Capcom) It just goes to show that nobody knows what works best in a game more than the players themselves. It just goes to show that nobody knows what works best in a game more than the players themselves. When I eventually relieved Lion of his noble service to my Arisen, he had some final thoughts for me that made me surprisingly emotional: “It’s a shame to leave your side after sharing such an adventure, but I know we will meet again soon.” Immediately I opened up his master’s Xbox account to shoot across a quick thank-you message, and that’s when I stopped to think about long and hard about something I’d been taking for granted this whole time. This Pawn named Lion was not some randomized Sim, but someone’s main right-hand man that had been crafted and built for a purpose. I hadn’t needed to worry about Lion’s inventory, loadout, skill build, or anything else I’d usually be tinkering with if he were some other scripted NPC consigned to me, because someone else out there had done it all for me and made him a more valuable party member because of it. Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more At the end of the day, combat is the undisputed king of Dragon’s Dogma 2, and our main Pawns have been designed with utility rather than storytelling in mind. It just goes to show that nobody knows what works best in a game more than the players themselves, and the fact that Capcom has entrusted that responsibility to us makes each victory all the more satisfying. 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wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the 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heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3 Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 4 Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years” 5Marvel 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Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”