Dragon’s Dogma 2 is full of falsehoods. The false Arisen sits upon the throne, nothing more than a puppet. There’s a vendor who willmake forgeries for you, false Ferristones and Unmasking Arrows. And, just as you believe you have slain the dragon and won the war,Capcomreveals its most devious forgery yet.
The false ending ofDragon’s Dogma 2, as you sit on the throne and revel in your shortlived victory is nothing short of a masterstroke. It’s initially confusing, completely out of the blue, and played in the best way possible. Spoilers follow for the (first) ending of Dragon’s Dogma 2.
I was pleased with how I handled Dragon’s Dogma 2’s final boss. The Red Dragon is a fearsome beast, but I was careful and aimed all my attacks at its weak heart. I tore through its six health bars without using the ballistas around the battle arena (it destroyed them, and me, every time I attempted to), and only needed to use one Wakestone around halfway through the battle, when I was caught between a rock and a hot place (its fiery breath). At leastI actually know when to use Wakestones now.
I was only level 35 at this point, probably a little underleveled, but the game’s ending snuck up on me. Had I known that this was the point of no return, I would have turned back to explore some more. Much of the map was still covered by fog, I had a few side quests still to tie up, and I hadn’t even met the Elves. But I committed to ending things, and so the Red Dragon fell. Credits rolled. The true Arisen was crowned. But why could I move during the credits sequence?
From online talk, I assumed the Sphinx would be the game’s final boss. As it turns out, I missed her entirely. That’s one for New Game Plus.
I approached the spirit who has been my guide through the game thus far. They present me with riddles, asking why I am not satisfied with this result. The first seeds of doubt are sown in my mind. I follow the spirit, the Red Dragon’s final words echoing in my head. This is all cyclical, nothing has changed. Slaying it has saved the world, but the cycle will restart. I follow the spirit, and take its offer to change history. I’m back atop the Red Dragon’s back.
I half expected to do the whole boss fight again, but the answer was far more simple. Prompted by the deafening beating of the dragon’s heart as I clambered near it, I draw the Empowered Godsbane Blade and bury it in my own chest. We fall, the Dragon and the Arisen, into the ocean. But we aren’t claimed by the brine. It refuses to take us.
You awake in something called the Unmoored World, a hellish vision of the map you’ve explored to this point. The ocean is completely dried up and you may wander upon its seabed. The skies are red with apocalyptic storms and blighted drakes float lazily from their eyes. Ferrystones drop in abundance from skeletons and chests alike. This is a whole new game.
I don’t know if this is technically Dragon’s Dogma 2’s postgame, its true ending, or something else entirely, but I love it. The false ending was satisfying enough – a great boss fight equal parts punishing and rewarding, built on the knowledge you’ve built before over the course of the game – but this is something else. If the main game felt a little short, that’s because it was only half the story.
There’s a sudden urgency to Dragon’s Dogma 2, and its brand of fantasy has moved from generic to completely unique – parallel universes and oceans drying up is about as far removed from the fantasy norm as you can get. I haven’t got far into the endgame yet, only tackling a couple of the messed-up dragons and evacuating one city, but it’s an interesting twist on the game. It’s a little frustrating to have lost the progress on all of my pre-apocalypse quests, but that’s what happens when you incite the apocalypse – the people of the world will stop being so concerned about their petty squabbles and more interested in avoiding cataclysmic annihilation. I’m also a little worried that I’ve already softlocked myself out of saving everyone, but we’ll see if Capcom can pull some more magic out of that Wyrmforged hat. If the false ending is anything to go by, I’ve got plenty more treats in store.
Next: Breaking Up With My Pawns Made Dragon’s Dogma 2 Fun Again
