CAPCOM made a surprise appearance at today's Nintendo Direct to announce Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, an expansion of Dragon's Dogma 2. The game will be available on the Nintendo Switch 2, as well as on the other platforms on which the base game was released (PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X) on October 9, 2026.
The first big addition is the new region of Norgan. Once a thriving area of the Vermund kingdom, it was deserted long ago, the reasons for which remain a mystery. It has been ages since anyone dared to traverse its routes. Covered in thick snow, these icy territories are inhabited by brutal hordes and beings of unimaginable strength. Those who can defeat such daunting adversaries, or those with a sharp sense of adventure, will discover powerful artifacts as their reward.
Slaying monsters in Norgan or simply exploring the region will allow players to loot powerful items called Relics. Appraising relics at the Norgandian Settlement reveals their true potential as powerful gear with enhanced defensive and offensive capabilities. Furthermore, acquiring specific gear can unlock unique skills, giving you an advantage in battle. Relic Expedition Cycles offer unlimited opportunities for challenge and rewards.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen also promises 12 new Dungeon challenges, the so-called Pathfinder's Trials, where rare equipment once held by past Arisens lays dormant. Finally, the character creator will be enhanced with new hairstyles and tattoos.
Fans had correctly guessed an expansion was on the way based on some teases and SteamDB updates. Plus, CAPCOM had included the action RPG series in its long-term roadmap for future development, indirectly confirming that it had further plans.
The base game launched in March 2024. It was very fun, although more of a Dragon's Dogma 1.5 than a full-blown sequel, at least in my opinion:
This review may read quite negatively, but it's only because of the lofty expectations that surrounded Dragon's Dogma 2. The original game was an amazing foundation to build upon, and yet CAPCOM seemed content with keeping the same strengths without improving much on the weaknesses. Twelve years later, though, the effect cannot be the same.
Still, I rated it 8 out of 10 because of its gameplay merits. The story, however, was mediocre at best.
About the author: With over two decades of experience in gaming journalism, Alessio Palumbo has led the gaming vertical at Wccftech since August 2015. He started working at a young age for Italian websites like Everyeye.it, Gamestar.it, Nextgame.it, and Multiplayer.it before kickstarting the indie English-language publication Worlds Factory as its founder and Editor in Chief. In the last decade, he has coordinated the overall output of Wccftech's gaming section, managed PR relations, assigned reviews, produced daily news coverage, edited gaming content as needed, and delivered game reviews. Arguably, his trademark content is the long series of exclusive developer interviews that have been cited by Wikipedia and by the biggest news media and gaming publications. His passion for technology also makes him knowledgeable when it comes to gaming hardware and tech. His favorite genres include RPGs, MMORPGs, and action/adventure games.
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