Is Playing the First Game Before Dragon’s Dogma 2 Necessary?

If you’re a burgeoning RPG enthusiast who has recently taken an interest in Dragon’s Dogma 2, you’re not alone. However, in your exploration, you may have stumbled upon the original Dragon’s Dogma title. Are you now feeling the pressure to complete a 60+ hour RPG in just three days before the release of Dragon’s Dogma 2? If you’re pondering whether to delve into the first installment before the sequel, read on as I address that very question.

The first question that likely comes to mind for any serious player is whether playing the original game is worthwhile. Dragon’s Dogma is an exceptional action RPG with a deep storyline where you embody an Arisen on a quest to vanquish the dragon that has taken their heart.

This implies that a game with rich lore would have a narrative that ties into Dragon’s Dogma 2. So, with such an expansive RPG predecessor, one might assume it’s necessary to play Dragon’s Dogma before jumping into Dragon’s Dogma 2. However, that’s not the case. In an interview with GamesRadar, Capcom Dev 1 member and series director Hideaki Itsuno stated that players do not need to play the first game before diving into Dragon’s Dogma 2.

There’s an explanation for this as well. In the same interview, Itsuno also mentioned that the protagonist in Dragon’s Dogma 2 will suffer from amnesia. While this is a common storytelling trope, it also means that players don’t need any prior knowledge of the first game to enjoy Dragon’s Dogma 2. However, for those interested, there will be characters in the game to provide background on the lore and the world. So, feel free to dive into Dragon’s Dogma 2 without playing the first installment.

At this juncture, we’re not entirely sure how the story of Dragon’s Dogma 2 connects to the first game. The trailers, while intriguing, didn’t offer any hints. However, based on the conclusion of the original Dragon’s Dogma, it’s likely that the new game will follow its own narrative in its unique world, with no direct references to the previous installment.

We’ll have a clearer picture of all this when Dragon’s Dogma 2 releases on March 22 for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Regrettably, Dragon’s Dogma 2 will not be available on Xbox Game Pass.

Are you reassured that playing the original Dragon’s Dogma isn’t necessary? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!