Forget about catching up on the lore of the first Dragon’s Dogma, the director of the upcoming sequel says amnesia will let newcomers jump right in.
In an interview with GamesRadar, Hideaki Itsuno, director of Dragon’s Dogma 2, said that the game’s protagonist will suffer from amnesia, meaning players won’t need to have played the first title to understand what’s going on.
“The game starts off with a main character who has lost their memory,” Itsuno says. The main character’s amnesia will serve as a way for players to learn about the events of the first game as the character does, “to have characters around you explain things to get you up to speed. So even if this is your first time playing Dragon’s Dogma, you can safely dive in.”
This is a clever narrative approach that not only ensures accessibility for new players but also has the potential to offer fresh perspectives for veterans of the series. Experiencing the world through the eyes of someone who has lost their memories could lead to new discoveries and insights, even for those who think they know everything about Dragon’s Dogma.
Of course, the amnesia trope is not without its risks. Amnesia has been used effectively in games before, and it can be a great way to create a sense of mystery and intrigue. However, done poorly, it can feel like a cheap cop-out, a way to avoid having to explain the backstory for new players.
Itsuno’s track record suggests that he is unlikely to take the easy route. His previous work on games like Devil May Cry and Bayonetta is known for its intricate lore and engaging narratives, and there’s no reason to believe that Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be any different.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 is set to be released on March 22, 2024, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. The game is an action RPG that follows in the footsteps of the original, with a focus on open-world exploration and challenging combat.
Whether you’re a seasoned Dragon’s Dogma veteran or a newcomer to the series, Dragon’s Dogma 2 sounds like a game worth checking out. With its amnesia-stricken protagonist and its promise of an epic adventure, the sequel has all the makings of a classic.
