Within the realm of Dragon's Dogma 2, Capcom has woven a captivating fantasy universe. The dynamic gameplay embedded in its narrative and myriad side quests maintains a sense of vibrancy, setting a formidable standard for fantasy RPGs. However, while Dragon's Dogma 2 marks a triumphant return for a long-dormant franchise, its treatment of the housing feature leaves much to be desired.
Despite its subtle presence, players can actually acquire a house early on in their Dragon's Dogma 2 journey. This house, though seemingly a potential base of operations, primarily serves as a cost-saving measure by eliminating the need to spend gold on inn accommodations. Nonetheless, Capcom missed an opportunity to infuse this feature with more engaging mechanics to entice players to invest further in the housing aspect.
Rethinking Dragon's Dogma 2's Housing Concept
Unveiling the Housing Dynamics in Dragon's Dogma 2
The initial house available for purchase in Dragon's Dogma 2 stems from a side quest in Vernworth. Players must assist Mildred, found near The Stardrop Inn, in managing her house during her absence. After a week of in-game time, Mildred offers to sell the house for 20,000 gold. Failure to acquire it renders the house inaccessible. Subsequently, two other homes can be bought in Dragon's Dogma 2, each differing in location and price but offering identical amenities: a bed and storage access.
Infusing Dragon's Dogma 2's Housing with Innovation
Regrettably, the housing options in Dragon's Dogma 2 lack versatility. Players are unable to customize the interior or exterior of their homes, contrasting sharply with the housing mechanics in Skyrim. Moreover, the absence of family dynamics within these houses further diminishes their appeal. With only three houses available, player choices are severely restricted.
The potential of Dragon's Dogma 2's housing feature remains untapped. By incorporating enhanced interactivity, such as varied bed selections, the housing experience could be significantly enriched. Games like Skyrim and The Elder Scrolls Online demonstrate how houses can offer more than mere rest stops, suggesting a viable path for Dragon's Dogma 2 to follow suit.
While granting players full control over existing houses may be unfeasible, expanding the range of available houses could provide players with greater autonomy. Although housing enhancements should not dominate post-launch updates, a revitalization of this feature could greatly benefit the overall gaming experience, either in the current iteration or in future expansions.