The reviews are in for Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, Capcom's big expansion for its 2024 open-world RPG. It launches this week on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, and Nintendo Switch 2 (Steam lists it for October 8, while most outlets list October 9). The expansion costs $29.99 on its own, and Dragon's Dogma 2 arrives on Switch 2 for the first time with Dark Arisen included. It sends the Arisen north to Norgan, a huge frozen region with whiteouts, new monsters, and a new story about Eir and the Fallen Dragon. It also adds 12 Lost Rites dungeons across the original map, new vocation skills, and a randomized "Spoils"/relic loot system. Critics mostly agree Norgan is gorgeous and the story is a big step up from the base game. The most common complaints are recycled enemy types, an endgame gear grind that won't be for everyone, and changes like unlimited fast travel that strip away some of the series' famous friction.
Aggregate Scores
- OpenCritic: 85 Top Critic Average, 90% of critics recommend (30 critic reviews) – opencritic.com
- Metacritic: 84 Metascore on PS5 (20 critic reviews), 88 on PC (12 reviews), and 88 on Switch 2 (5 reviews), all "Generally Favorable" – metacritic.com
What the Critics Are Saying
- Vice (10/10, PS5): "Dark Arisen has not only made Dragon's Dogma 2 a must-play RPG, but it's also one of Capcom's best games in years." The reviewer says it's even better than the base game, with tighter level design in Norgan and so much content it could have been its own standalone title. – Read on Vice →
- DualShockers (10/10, PC): "Dark Arisen is Dragon's Dogma 2 at its most ambitious and gloriously unrestrained." The review calls the last act one of the greatest video game finales the reviewer has played, and loves the brutal post-game boss gauntlet. – Read on DualShockers →
- RPGFan (95/100, PC): "I can safely say that this is the definitive Dragon's Dogma sequel, and it stands as a masterpiece of RPG design." It praises the Lost Rites dungeons, the spectacular boss fights, and a "dangerously addictive" post-game, though it finds the narrative still rudimentary. – Read on RPGFan →
- Push Square (9/10, PS5): "Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is often Capcom's open world RPG at its absolute peak." It calls Norgan a superb setting with a surprisingly good story, but notes enemy variety is still lacking and the equipment grind won't be for everyone. – Read on Push Square →
- Nintendo Life (9/10, Switch 2): "Dragon's Dogma 2 is still one of the best action RPGs around." It says the Switch 2 version runs remarkably well and calls Lost Rites and Norgan great additions, with long load times in some sections and no cross-save as the main drawbacks. – Read on Nintendo Life →
- Pocket Tactics (9/10, Switch 2): "Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is simply excellent, adding a whole new area and story to an already epic RPG that keeps you coming back for more." It calls Norgan the reviewer's favorite region and says Switch 2 is one of the better places to play. – Read on Pocket Tactics →
- Hardcore Gamer (4.5/5, PC): "The end result is a great expansion that makes it worth digging through Dragon's Dogma 2 once again." It highlights the Lost Rites dungeons' special rules and Norgan's punishing whiteouts. – Read on Hardcore Gamer →
- COGconnected (85/100, PS5): "Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen is a must-have expansion for current players already enjoying one of the best ARPGs on the market." It warns the new content is built for mid- and high-level characters, and fans hoping for a new vocation will be disappointed. – Read on COGconnected →
- IGN (8/10, PS5): "Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is an engrossing expansion full of interesting new characters, vibrant enemies, and the wonderful wreckage of a bygone civilization." IGN's main knocks are a final stretch packed with repetitive tasks and a Spoils "slot machine" that makes the endgame gear hunt feel lifeless. – Read on IGN →
- TechRaptor (8/10, PS5): "Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is a fine expansion that lengthens the base game to a comfortable degree without being overwhelming." It says some jank remains, but the new story alone is worth the price of entry. – Read on TechRaptor →
- RPGamer (3.5/5, PS5): "Fans of Dragon's Dogma 2 will find plenty to enjoy here, but those who struggled to connect with the original game may not find enough to change their minds." It calls this the definitive version of the game, but repetitive enemies and pacing issues hold it back. – Read on RPGamer →
- Screen Rant (7/10): "But some of its changes undermine the tenets of Dragon's Dogma, removing the friction that makes the series' design so interesting." The most critical major review. It loves the story and new bosses, but says unlimited fast travel and very fast leveling turn Norgan into a bit of a slog. – Read on Screen Rant →
- Kotaku (unscored, Xbox Series S): "Capcom properly cooked (and not just raw meat on an open fire) with this one." The reviewer says Norgan pulled them right back into the game, though there isn't a ton of monster variety and the 12 new dungeons are "whatever" for experienced players. – Read on Kotaku →
The Lanbrew take: If you loved Dragon's Dogma 2, critics agree this is an easy buy, with a big new region, a better story, and some of the best boss fights in the game. If the base game never clicked for you, Dark Arisen probably won't change your mind. Purists should also know that unlimited fast travel and loot-heavy progression make it a less punishing trip than the original. Switch 2 owners are in luck, since the port is getting strong marks for performance.
More Reading
- OpenCritic: https://opencritic.com/game/21470/dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen/reviews
- Metacritic: https://www.metacritic.com/game/dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen/critic-reviews/
- Nintendo Life review roundup: https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2026/10/round-up-the-reviews-for-dragons-dogma-2-dark-arisen-are-in
Roundup compiled Oct 8, 2026 (America/Chicago). Scores and quotes credit the linked outlets. Aggregate scores are as of compile time and will move as more reviews come in.
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