Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

 PlayStation 4
Metascore
78

Generally favorable reviews - based on 24 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 19 out of 24
  2. Mixed: 5 out of 24
  3. Negative: 0 out of 24
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  1. GameCritics
    Oct 11, 2017
    95
    Dragon’s Dogma isn’t just a fantastic time, full of superb adventuring and uncharacteristically accomplished combat. It’s also one that’s stood up incredibly well over the years, feeling every bit as fresh and unique as when it debuted in the previous generation. It really says something that after hundreds of hours and dozens of completions later, I was more than willing to drop everything and get stuck back in to this remaster. It may have aged a little visually, but its combat and reward-heavy exploration have proven themselves evergreen, standing out from the competition even now.
  2. Worth Playing
    Jan 2, 2018
    85
    All in all, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is one of the best action-RPG titles out there, even though it's an upgraded port from the prior console generation.
  3. The Games Machine
    Oct 3, 2017
    85
    Dragon’s Dogma shines on the new consoles in its final form, free from the limitations of old hardware. It aged pretty well, and still manages to offer a challenging and intriguing gameplay. Content-wise, there's really nothing new compared to the first release of 2012.
  5. GamePro Germany
    Oct 8, 2017
    82
    Huge and challenging RPG with a great pawn system, but weaknesses in presentation and technology damage the overall impression.
  6. IGN Spain
    Oct 2, 2017
    82
    The game only offers a visual improvement, but it still may work in a very specific scenario: discovering Dragon's Dogma by that audience who missed it in the first place during the last generation. The game has aged well though we still hope for a Dragon's Dogma 2.
  7. Hobby Consolas
    Oct 10, 2017
    80
    It's not the best remaster out there (although it is the definitive version... on consoles), but Dragon's Dogma is still as fresh as it was in 2012. If you didn't play it then, this is the perfect time to discover one of the best action RPGs of all time.
  8. SpazioGames
    Oct 9, 2017
    80
    Dragon's Dogma Dark Arisen is good today as it was back in 2012, as it's still a unique take on the open world action RPG genre. We would have liked some new content and 60 fps, but at a bargain price, it's still recommended.
  9. Slant Magazine
    Oct 6, 2017
    80
    Even in its remastered form, this expansion stands tall as a relatively focused and uncomplicated action experience.
  10. Trusted Reviews
    Oct 6, 2017
    80
    Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a unique RPG brought to life by its fantastic pawn system and enthralling fantasy world. Forming a ragtag clan of allies before taking on gargantuan monsters is always a blast, helping you feel like a true soldier among a land of unimaginable terrors.
  11. God is a Geek
    Oct 5, 2017
    80
    A fairly lacklustre remaster does nothing to diminish what makes Dragon's Dogma such a unique and memorable role-playing game. For fans of western style action RPGs it's a must play.
  12. PlayStation Universe
    Oct 3, 2017
    80
    While the original issues are still present, what made Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen so special is here as well. Glorifying combat, organic progression, and a saturated world will keep you slogging through the occasional lull on your way to the heart of it.
  13. Eurogamer Italy
    Oct 3, 2017
    80
    Even in the PS4 and Xbox One version Dragon's Dogma is a good RPG, with well polished graphics. There is no big addition to gameplay, the same as PC, no more original but rich in mechanics and customization. A worthy choice if you're a fan of Fantasy or missed the initial release.
  14. Multiplayer.it
    Oct 2, 2017
    80
    Dragon's Dogma was one of the best action rpg game of the past few years and you should play this remastered if you missed it. Unfortunatly we still have 30 FPS cap to deal with and there aren't any new good reasons for veterans to play this game again.
  15. IGN Italia
    Oct 2, 2017
    80
    Capcom has done a solid job bringing a very well-made RPG over to the current generation.
  16. Attack of the Fanboy
    Oct 2, 2017
    80
    It might not be a perfect package, but its old age certainly hasn’t harmed Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen in the slightest.
  17. Vandal
    Oct 2, 2017
    80
    If you haven’t played it yet, this is the best way to play one of the best action RPGs of the last generation in consoles. If you have, you won’t find anything particularly new or exciting here, although it still is very enjoyable.
  18. Push Square
    Oct 2, 2017
    80
    Despite Capcom's uninspired remastering, Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen remains one of the best action RPGs of the last decade. Tight controls hold together thrilling combat, and the sense of adventure that the game exudes is almost unmatched. At its budget price, newcomers should definitely give the PS4 release a fair chance, while veterans will find a good enough excuse to begin the cycle all over again.
  19. 4P.de
    Oct 18, 2017
    78
    Despite all the visual enhancements you can still see that the original is five years old. With that in mind, this is still a good and at times positively rough action role-playing game that is worth exploring.
  20. Everyeye.it
    Oct 6, 2017
    75
    Quotation forthcoming.
  21. ZTGD
    Nov 6, 2017
    70
    Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is a game about moments. Encountering a brand new monster, obtaining a powerful weapon or when a Drake crashes your goblin slaying party with a storm of hellfire- all moments that are memorable and fun to experience. The issue is that getting to those moments are oftentimes an absolute slog of tedious stamina and weight management, battling the same group of wolves and bandits for the thirtieth time.
  22. CGMagazine
    Oct 14, 2017
    70
    Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen gives players a realm of exciting grand battles against challenging enemies, but offers little narrative reason to make it appealing.
  23. Metro GameCentral
    Oct 3, 2017
    70
    Despite borrowing so much from so many different games Capcom’s Western style role-player remains very much its own game – with plenty of interesting ideas of its own.
  24. LaPS4
    Oct 2, 2017
    70
    Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is a game that has the burden of the five years that have passed since its original launch. It is not a bad game, but nowadays feels kind of outdated and the array of modern ARPGs will be more weight that will probably affect this remaster.
  25. DualShockers
    Oct 13, 2017
    65
    I hate to sound like I didn’t enjoy my time with the game. There’s a lot to love about Dark Arisen, but it’s hard for me to ignore some of its more glaring issues. If you’re an action RPG fan who has been looking to sink their teeth into a meaty game before the end of the year, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen is definitely worth checking out.

Awards & Rankings

87
#87 Best PS4 Game of 2017
64
#64 Most Discussed PS4 Game of 2017

User Reviews

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User Score
8.3

Generally favorable reviews- based on 222 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 176 out of 222
  2. Mixed: 27 out of 222
  3. Negative: 19 out of 222
  1. TheUncannyOne
    Oct 4, 2017
    10
    600 hours on PS3, let's try for another 600, why not? The game is certainly worth it. Critic reviews be damned, 77 is an absolute crime600 hours on PS3, let's try for another 600, why not? The game is certainly worth it. Critic reviews be damned, 77 is an absolute crime against this legend of a game.… Full Review »
  2. x420Raptor
    Oct 4, 2017
    9
    I'm surprised the critic reviews are averaging out at around 77 right now.

    I feel like those people probably haven't played through the    I'm surprised the critic reviews are averaging out at around 77 right now.

    I feel like those people probably haven't played through the entire game, especially not the part that makes this game greater, the DLC end game runs.

    While the graphics look dated, and the draw distance is still ridiculous, DD:DA is still at it's core one of the best RPGs we've ever had.

    If you can make it through the first 5-10 hours until you start getting familiar with more advanced moves for whatever class you decide to run at the time, then that's when the game really comes into it's own.

    The combat/gear system in DD:DA is what makes the game addictive, + the pawn system... and when you finally decide to go to Bitterblack isle, and start running that giant dungeon for loot, that's when you'll come across some of the most unique monster encounters and find some of the top level gear in the game, as well as really getting to grips with your characters abilities.

    Forget the story, and forget the graphics, DD:DA is worth the money just for the combat and BBI runs alone.

    It's damn sure more addictive and interesting than Destiny 2.

    The game is deserving of at least an 8, and probably 8.5 really... that extra 1.5 would more than likely only come from modern graphics and a better story, or more depth in the characters, but once you try the combat at end game level... you'll understand why this game is so addictive and so great,    … Full Review »
  3. Juras
    Oct 4, 2017
    10
    Probably best action-rpg game of last genre now even better. Awesome combat, mature story, bloody setting, dragons. And bolide or maelstrom,Probably best action-rpg game of last genre now even better. Awesome combat, mature story, bloody setting, dragons. And bolide or maelstrom, best ever animations for spells even created. Loot boxes are ingame on fields, for free. :)… Full Review »
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