This game was my first purchase for PS5 Pro. I decided to wait for the game to be patched up and it seems like I made a good decision.
I am level 26 on my first play through, and this game feels like it was made just for me. The world is giving me that first-time Skyrim vibe with the lack of markers everywhere telling me where to go. The art direction is about as perfect as I could ask for this generation. The Pawn system is so much preferable to real players (to me) because they are very efficient, and quite enjoyable to have around.
Lastly, DD2 is the realization of what my childhood imagination pictured in my mind as I played Final Fantasy 1 on the NES in 1990. That original feeling of making your own party, exploring the unknown, and the general fantasy feeling is all there. This game is a 9.5/10 for me.
My son and his high school friend group are Overwatch addicts. He mentioned this Classic patch yesterday and said his team is ready for it. Something about excitement for the broken OG Roadhog.
Talk about Final Fantasy brings me to a discussion I was having over the weekend with friends, and it came down to how a non-Final Fantasy game feels like what a modern Final Fantasy should be. That is Dragon’s Dogma 2. I’m finally playing it for the first time because I was waiting for PS5 Pro, and wow, I can’t stop feeling like this game is a fully-realized experience of what I imagined in my mind as a 10 year old playing FF1 on the NES. The vocation system, the world, characters, etc.
I enjoyed FFXIV from ARR through the end of Heavensward pretty heavily, then played it on and off to finish every expansion at a super casual pace. The story was my primary focus. Dawntrail is the expansion that lost me for this very reason, but it was a good journey and I finished the 10 year story arc.
This is why I buy PlayStation games. I left the PC master race around 2018 once I bought a PS4 Pro and started playing the wealth of story-driven single player games.
At the time my choice was to upgrade my 2012 gaming rig, or get the Pro version of the console I already had, but didn’t use much to that point. For me, that $400 white edition PS4 Pro from GameStop turned out to be the best decision I made. I’m still enjoying many of those games purchased back then on my new PS5 Pro.
Yet another game that I haven’t yet bought. Now that I have a PS5 Pro and a 43 (I think?) inch LG OLED 120hz sitting 3 feet away on a desk, it may be time to get a closer view of this title.
I was so close to buying BG3 on this current sale, but decided to finally try Dragon’s Dogma 2 on the shiny new PS5 Pro. BG3 will stay on my radar for now.
I successfully made it home on my lunch break to meet the UPS Delivery driver and sign for the package. Now I’m back at work, wishing that I could be home tinkering with the new PS5 Pro.
Something that people may overlook is the dedicated OS RAM. It could meaningfully improve the base system functionality, making everything more snappy, not to mention freeing up all the 16GB of system RAM for the games.
One of my favorite upgrades from the PS4 to the PS4 Pro was the notably better experience from booting up and using the interface. Admittedly, the base PS5 interface is no slouch, so it may not be as dramatic.
@extragood I am one of those people who was initially hesitant about the PS5 Pro’s price. I started looking at gaming PCs, then realized that a graphics card alone would cost almost as much as the Pro. Plus I’m not Digital Foundry, peeping each pixel on a pause screen, so I’ll continue using my Mac for computer stuff (and WoW occasionally), and PlayStation for gaming.
I feel a bit ashamed to admit that I fell for the FOMO with Starfield. Not only that; I don’t own a gaming PC, so the cheaper option was to buy an Xbox Series X. This was the singular worst gaming decision I ever made.
The game is based on a comic book, but I think the game’s name won’t do it any favors. It’s really weird for it to have a random sounding number in the title. Is this the 9th in series? That could be a legitimate question for some.
I felt the same way about Alan Wake. The title does absolutely nothing for me and I still haven’t played anything in that series because it sounds like an accounting simulator.
I played about 2 hours of the demo and enjoyed it for what it is. Definitely held my interest more than Persona 3 or 5. Although I grew up loving turn based RPGs from Dragon Warrior 1 on NES all the way to Dragon Quest 11, the formula just doesn’t hold my interest anymore. Now I like open worlds like Breath of the Wild, RDR2, Cyberpunk 2077, and the game that started it for me; Skyrim.
The name of the game is really weird. I played the demo and enjoyed it quite a bit, but I think a lot of people will think it’s just a mobile game or something.
I wonder if the US PlayStation store has similar requirements for pre-ordering because mine went through quick and easy when signed into my PSN account.
I told myself I was NOT going to buy a PS5 Pro. Was adamant. My pre-order has been successfully placed. Also an additional $100+ for a stand and disc drive. The PS5 and Xbox Series X will soon hit eBay to cushion that blow.
No. I looked and the standard PS5 Pro was available, but at this point I have completed all of the games I am interested in already, and don’t feel that a less-blurry second play through of FF7 Rebirth is worth $700+.
That money will be much better spent on a Switch 2, gaming PC, or a down payment on a sports car. Been eyeing a Toyota GR86 for some real life fun.
As a console gamer, MacOS computer guy, I will be watching lots of reviews of the PS5 Pro. If developers update existing games and future titles truly perform that much better, I may upgrade from my PS5. Otherwise, I am considering my first gaming PC since late 2012. Either way, I have a big enough backlog to hold me over until Switch 2.
The protagonist being a female isn’t necessarily the problem with a lot of people. After all, finding out that Samus was a girl after beating Metroid on the NES was pretty cool. Over the years following we have had amazing leading ladies like Lara Croft and others.
The bigger issue is the increased focus on identity politics that studios are pushing heavily and recently have been seeing negative results for. I’m not here to condemn people for thinking one way or another, but the industry has taken a very hard-Left turn, and now gamers are becoming turned off by the results. It’s making a lot of people extra cautious about any new releases.
Initial impressions look good. I’m very wary of new games right now, so I will hold off until I see a few reviews before I get too excited. It’s set in the past, but is it made for the ‘modern audience’ like so many others that haven’t been selling well lately? It’s a genuine question.
As a kid I loved NES and SNES RPGs. When I saw Lunar Silver Star Story in the gaming magazines of the day, I wanted it so much, but I couldn’t afford a Sega Genesis and Sega CD. At the time I loved the art style, but anime wasn’t really common yet and I didn’t know that’s what the style was called, but it reminded me of a cartoon called Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, which was a pretty fun anime of the early 90s.
This whole 30th Anniversary edition PS5 thing seems to have the ‘shiny Pokemon’ effect on people. Nothing special about it other than a different color scheme and manufactured rarity, yet people will go to extreme lengths to get it.
This series is so far the best Star Wars that I can recommend to anyone. The story is pretty good, Cal is a likable guy, and the combat and exploration is better than most games in its genre. But there is a big warning: wait at least 6 months for the game to have bugs and stability issues fixed whenever a new title in this series is released. Survivor had a rough launch but is very stable now on PS5 / Series X. It’s also a game that goes on sale often.
@Yagami I found the tone and storytelling to be very interesting. This could in part be due to me playing FF14 for a decade and being that guy who reads all of the side quests, which FF16’s side quests felt very similar to in style. But my biggest draw to Clive and the main storyline is his character growth. Of all the FF protagonists through the years, Clive is singularly the one with the greatest reason to be dark, angry, and a brooding emo boy, but he’s the complete opposite. I really liked watching how he grew through pain and loss to become selfless and lay down his life for those he loved.
For me personally, Final Fantasy 16 was better than I expected, becoming top 3 in the series alongside FF4 and FF6. Sure, it has some technical issues, but the story and characters are what make the experience for me, and Clive is simply unmatched as far as protagonists go. FF7 Rebirth was good even with the lackluster visuals on performance mode. It’s not as good as 16 to me because I have never been a FF7 super fan, but still appreciate it.
I’m going to wait and see with the Pro. The system seems $150 overpriced as it’s being shown. Seems like the base PS5 should move to $450, Pro without disc drive to $550, and $650 with the disc dive would be much better received. Probably would look more like this if Xbox was also releasing a new console.
A year or 2 ago, I would have been in the pre-order camp. Now I don’t see any must-buy games that would benefit enough over my existing PS5. It will be awhile before FF7’s final installment, and I already platinum’d FF16. The PS5 Pro won’t run GTA6 at 60 FPS, and that game will be patched up and ready to play right around the time the PS6 launches.
I’m a PS5 owner and it’s been my favorite console in years, and it’s my primary method for gaming. That said, this PS5 Pro is less compelling than the PSVR 2 which I also bought day 1. The price and no Blu Ray drive?
Maybe in 2 years after more games are optimized for the Pro, and if it’s on sale for $450, then I could see buying one. Otherwise I will just wait for a PS6.
The game is bringing everyone together in discussion, even if it failed to do so in game play. Those many millions of dollars spent in development and advertising were not completely wasted.
A year ago I was super excited to throw my money at a PS5 Pro. That’s when I was busy getting the Platinum in FF16.
Now I’m so wary of new games being like Concord or Suicide Squad that I don’t even buy them until I see enough reviews. Everything I have been playing lately is 4 to 6 years old at the newest.
I really want to like Larian RPGs. Multiple re-starts on Divinity 2, and the demo on BG3, and it just doesn’t work for me. Something about the isometric style RPGs doesn’t click with my brain because I have never been able to enjoy Diablo either.
Comments 367
Re: Dragon's Dogma 2 (PS5) - The Apex of RPG Adventuring
This game was my first purchase for PS5 Pro. I decided to wait for the game to be patched up and it seems like I made a good decision.
I am level 26 on my first play through, and this game feels like it was made just for me. The world is giving me that first-time Skyrim vibe with the lack of markers everywhere telling me where to go. The art direction is about as perfect as I could ask for this generation. The Pawn system is so much preferable to real players (to me) because they are very efficient, and quite enjoyable to have around.
Lastly, DD2 is the realization of what my childhood imagination pictured in my mind as I played Final Fantasy 1 on the NES in 1990. That original feeling of making your own party, exploring the unknown, and the general fantasy feeling is all there. This game is a 9.5/10 for me.
Re: Blizzard Hits Nostalgia Button, Overwatch: Classic Launches on PS5
My son and his high school friend group are Overwatch addicts. He mentioned this Classic patch yesterday and said his team is ready for it. Something about excitement for the broken OG Roadhog.
Re: PS5 Pro Brute Forces Better Performance in Monster Hunter Wilds' Beta
I’m hopeful for a good PS5 Pro experience, even if it means a 40FPS mode on my VRR-capable 120hz OLED.
Re: Square Enix's New AAA Games Are Being Trounced by Final Fantasy 14
Talk about Final Fantasy brings me to a discussion I was having over the weekend with friends, and it came down to how a non-Final Fantasy game feels like what a modern Final Fantasy should be. That is Dragon’s Dogma 2. I’m finally playing it for the first time because I was waiting for PS5 Pro, and wow, I can’t stop feeling like this game is a fully-realized experience of what I imagined in my mind as a 10 year old playing FF1 on the NES. The vocation system, the world, characters, etc.
Re: Square Enix's New AAA Games Are Being Trounced by Final Fantasy 14
I enjoyed FFXIV from ARR through the end of Heavensward pretty heavily, then played it on and off to finish every expansion at a super casual pace. The story was my primary focus. Dawntrail is the expansion that lost me for this very reason, but it was a good journey and I finished the 10 year story arc.
Re: Australia's Planned Social Media Ban to Include PSN
I am thankful that I grew up in the 80s and 90s. If being perpetually online was available back then, I would have been.
Re: Gran Turismo 7 Clocks Native 4K, 120fps on PS5 Pro Via Game Boost, Pre-Enhanced Patch
I drove a few laps and can confirm. Also, the 2022 Porsche 911 GT-3 is the best car in the game. Take that, Italian car guys.
Re: Hands On: $700 Later and Dragon's Dogma 2 PS5 Pro Performance Is Still Far from Perfect
I made it past the character creation for my player character and pawn last night. So far so good on PS5 Pro.
Re: Sony Promises It'll Launch Major PS5 Single Player Games Every Year Moving Forwards
This is why I buy PlayStation games. I left the PC master race around 2018 once I bought a PS4 Pro and started playing the wealth of story-driven single player games.
At the time my choice was to upgrade my 2012 gaming rig, or get the Pro version of the console I already had, but didn’t use much to that point. For me, that $400 white edition PS4 Pro from GameStop turned out to be the best decision I made. I’m still enjoying many of those games purchased back then on my new PS5 Pro.
Re: Stellar Blade a 'Gigantic Leap' on PS5 Pro, PSSR Better Than Native 4K Option
Yet another game that I haven’t yet bought. Now that I have a PS5 Pro and a 43 (I think?) inch LG OLED 120hz sitting 3 feet away on a desk, it may be time to get a closer view of this title.
Re: Larian Studios Confirms Baldur's Gate 3's PS5 Pro Enhancements
I was so close to buying BG3 on this current sale, but decided to finally try Dragon’s Dogma 2 on the shiny new PS5 Pro. BG3 will stay on my radar for now.
Re: Hypnotic PS5 Pro Boot Screen, Background Worth the Upgrade
It is definitely a boot screen like no other.
Re: Poll: Did You Buy a PS5 Pro?
I successfully made it home on my lunch break to meet the UPS Delivery driver and sign for the package. Now I’m back at work, wishing that I could be home tinkering with the new PS5 Pro.
Re: Out Today: PS5 Pro, the Most Powerful Console Ever
UPS says today between Noon and 4:30PM. I gotta leave work a bit early not to miss it.
Re: PS5 Pro vs PS5: Full Tech Specs Comparison
Something that people may overlook is the dedicated OS RAM. It could meaningfully improve the base system functionality, making everything more snappy, not to mention freeing up all the 16GB of system RAM for the games.
One of my favorite upgrades from the PS4 to the PS4 Pro was the notably better experience from booting up and using the interface. Admittedly, the base PS5 interface is no slouch, so it may not be as dramatic.
Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings
@extragood I am one of those people who was initially hesitant about the PS5 Pro’s price. I started looking at gaming PCs, then realized that a graphics card alone would cost almost as much as the Pro. Plus I’m not Digital Foundry, peeping each pixel on a pause screen, so I’ll continue using my Mac for computer stuff (and WoW occasionally), and PlayStation for gaming.
Re: PS5 Pro was a '5-Year Project', In Development Before PS5's Launch
So what they are saying is that I should wait for mid-gen PS6? If my PS5 Pro is good enough, maybe I will purchase my next console in 2035.
Re: Concord Cost Sony Over $200 Million, And Didn't Make a Single Cent
Concord gave us some good laughs, anyway. Not a total loss.
Re: New Dragon's Dogma 2 Patch Prepares for PS5 Pro with PSSR, Balanced Settings
I haven’t played this game yet. Perhaps the PS5 Pro version will be a good time to try it out.
Re: Monster Hunter Wilds' Beta Is Prompting Fans to Reconsider PS5 Pro
So I should not be holding my breath for a Switch port?
Re: PS5 Pro Not Compatible with PS5 Slim Face Plates, Sony to Release New Covers for More Powerful Console
They charge for the PS5 Pro stand. Of course they are going to recover some Concord losses with face plates.
Re: Opinion: The Price of Playing PS5 Games Day One Is Getting Higher and Higher
I feel a bit ashamed to admit that I fell for the FOMO with Starfield. Not only that; I don’t own a gaming PC, so the cheaper option was to buy an Xbox Series X. This was the singular worst gaming decision I ever made.
Re: Unknown 9: Awakening (PS5) - Brand New IP Shows Plenty of Promise
The game is based on a comic book, but I think the game’s name won’t do it any favors. It’s really weird for it to have a random sounding number in the title. Is this the 9th in series? That could be a legitimate question for some.
I felt the same way about Alan Wake. The title does absolutely nothing for me and I still haven’t played anything in that series because it sounds like an accounting simulator.
Re: PS5 30th Anniversary Orders Screwed Up by Argos in the UK
This would be quite unfortunate for those who get a cancelled order, unless it happened to scalpers.
I will try my best to enjoy my plain white PS5 Pro.
Re: Love Classic Lara Croft? Play the Crap Tomb Raider Trilogy on PS5, PS4
I was in my late teens when PS1 launched and enjoyed the system quite a bit. Never played a Tomb Raider game though.
Re: Baldur's Gate 3 Fandom Reaches Inevitable Conclusion with $20,000 Astarion Sex Doll
Seems expensive, even with today’s rampant inflation.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Metaphor: ReFantazio?
I played about 2 hours of the demo and enjoyed it for what it is. Definitely held my interest more than Persona 3 or 5. Although I grew up loving turn based RPGs from Dragon Warrior 1 on NES all the way to Dragon Quest 11, the formula just doesn’t hold my interest anymore. Now I like open worlds like Breath of the Wild, RDR2, Cyberpunk 2077, and the game that started it for me; Skyrim.
Re: Atlus Fans Don't Think Xbox's Marketing Is Doing Metaphor: ReFantazio Justice
The name of the game is really weird. I played the demo and enjoyed it quite a bit, but I think a lot of people will think it’s just a mobile game or something.
Re: First Review Scores for PS5's Metaphor: ReFantazio, Silent Hill 2 Are Glowing
I've started the Metaphor demo and have enjoyed it so far. The art style and setting are more interesting than Persona ever was to me.
Re: Sony Fights Scalpers in Japan By Demanding PS5, PS4 Playtime
I wonder if the US PlayStation store has similar requirements for pre-ordering because mine went through quick and easy when signed into my PSN account.
Re: Sony Fights Scalpers in Japan By Demanding PS5, PS4 Playtime
I told myself I was NOT going to buy a PS5 Pro. Was adamant. My pre-order has been successfully placed. Also an additional $100+ for a stand and disc drive. The PS5 and Xbox Series X will soon hit eBay to cushion that blow.
Re: Poll: Did You Pre-Order a PS5 Pro?
No. I looked and the standard PS5 Pro was available, but at this point I have completed all of the games I am interested in already, and don’t feel that a less-blurry second play through of FF7 Rebirth is worth $700+.
That money will be much better spent on a Switch 2, gaming PC, or a down payment on a sports car. Been eyeing a Toyota GR86 for some real life fun.
Re: 'PS5 Pro Is a Really Good Investment,' Argue Tech Experts After Hands-On
As a console gamer, MacOS computer guy, I will be watching lots of reviews of the PS5 Pro. If developers update existing games and future titles truly perform that much better, I may upgrade from my PS5. Otherwise, I am considering my first gaming PC since late 2012. Either way, I have a big enough backlog to hold me over until Switch 2.
Re: PS5's Ghost of Yotei Triggers Social Media, Ex-Sony Exec Says 'If You Don't Like It, Don't Buy It'
The protagonist being a female isn’t necessarily the problem with a lot of people. After all, finding out that Samus was a girl after beating Metroid on the NES was pretty cool. Over the years following we have had amazing leading ladies like Lara Croft and others.
The bigger issue is the increased focus on identity politics that studios are pushing heavily and recently have been seeing negative results for. I’m not here to condemn people for thinking one way or another, but the industry has taken a very hard-Left turn, and now gamers are becoming turned off by the results. It’s making a lot of people extra cautious about any new releases.
Re: Ghost of Yotei Is the Ghost of Tsushima Sequel We Needed, Slashing to PS5 in 2025
Initial impressions look good. I’m very wary of new games right now, so I will hold off until I see a few reviews before I get too excited. It’s set in the past, but is it made for the ‘modern audience’ like so many others that haven’t been selling well lately? It’s a genuine question.
Re: Lunar Remastered Collection Revives Two Classic 90s JRPGs on PS5, PS4 in Spring 2025
As a kid I loved NES and SNES RPGs. When I saw Lunar Silver Star Story in the gaming magazines of the day, I wanted it so much, but I couldn’t afford a Sega Genesis and Sega CD. At the time I loved the art style, but anime wasn’t really common yet and I didn’t know that’s what the style was called, but it reminded me of a cartoon called Saber Rider and the Star Sheriffs, which was a pretty fun anime of the early 90s.
Re: Scalpers Want $10k to Try to Buy You a 30th Anniversary PS5 Pro
This whole 30th Anniversary edition PS5 thing seems to have the ‘shiny Pokemon’ effect on people. Nothing special about it other than a different color scheme and manufactured rarity, yet people will go to extreme lengths to get it.
Re: Rumour: Concord Cost $400 Million, Sony Believed It Was the 'Future of PlayStation'
They weren’t completely wrong. Concord was Sony’s “Disney Star Wars” and let’s leave it at that.
Re: 'Final Chapter' of Star Wars Jedi Series Currently in Development
This series is so far the best Star Wars that I can recommend to anyone. The story is pretty good, Cal is a likable guy, and the combat and exploration is better than most games in its genre. But there is a big warning: wait at least 6 months for the game to have bugs and stability issues fixed whenever a new title in this series is released. Survivor had a rough launch but is very stable now on PS5 / Series X. It’s also a game that goes on sale often.
Re: PS5 Exclusives Final Fantasy 16, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Failed to Meet Expectations
@Yagami I found the tone and storytelling to be very interesting. This could in part be due to me playing FF14 for a decade and being that guy who reads all of the side quests, which FF16’s side quests felt very similar to in style. But my biggest draw to Clive and the main storyline is his character growth. Of all the FF protagonists through the years, Clive is singularly the one with the greatest reason to be dark, angry, and a brooding emo boy, but he’s the complete opposite. I really liked watching how he grew through pain and loss to become selfless and lay down his life for those he loved.
Re: PS5 Exclusives Final Fantasy 16, Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth Failed to Meet Expectations
For me personally, Final Fantasy 16 was better than I expected, becoming top 3 in the series alongside FF4 and FF6. Sure, it has some technical issues, but the story and characters are what make the experience for me, and Clive is simply unmatched as far as protagonists go. FF7 Rebirth was good even with the lackluster visuals on performance mode. It’s not as good as 16 to me because I have never been a FF7 super fan, but still appreciate it.
Re: Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth 'Hugely Improved' on PS5 Pro, a 'Night and Day' Difference
I’m going to wait and see with the Pro. The system seems $150 overpriced as it’s being shown. Seems like the base PS5 should move to $450, Pro without disc drive to $550, and $650 with the disc dive would be much better received. Probably would look more like this if Xbox was also releasing a new console.
Re: Poll: Are You Sold on PS5 Pro?
A year or 2 ago, I would have been in the pre-order camp. Now I don’t see any must-buy games that would benefit enough over my existing PS5. It will be awhile before FF7’s final installment, and I already platinum’d FF16. The PS5 Pro won’t run GTA6 at 60 FPS, and that game will be patched up and ready to play right around the time the PS6 launches.
Re: PS5 Pro Announced, Costs $700 and Out in November
@NEStalgia You said everything I was thinking, but I didn’t want to type that much on my phone.
Re: PS5 Pro Announced, Costs $700 and Out in November
I’m a PS5 owner and it’s been my favorite console in years, and it’s my primary method for gaming. That said, this PS5 Pro is less compelling than the PSVR 2 which I also bought day 1. The price and no Blu Ray drive?
Maybe in 2 years after more games are optimized for the Pro, and if it’s on sale for $450, then I could see buying one. Otherwise I will just wait for a PS6.
Re: PS5, PC Shooter Concord Dead on Arrival, Is Being Taken Offline This Week as Dev 'Explores Options'
The game is bringing everyone together in discussion, even if it failed to do so in game play. Those many millions of dollars spent in development and advertising were not completely wasted.
Re: Date More Beautiful Women Out of Your League in Ridiculous PS5 Romance Sim Superscout
I’m sold on Ye Shu. She know how to cook, wants a family, and will give me adorable children.
Re: Rumour: PS5 Pro Still Planned to Release in 2024, State of Play Coming in September
A year ago I was super excited to throw my money at a PS5 Pro. That’s when I was busy getting the Platinum in FF16.
Now I’m so wary of new games being like Concord or Suicide Squad that I don’t even buy them until I see enough reviews. Everything I have been playing lately is 4 to 6 years old at the newest.
Re: Poll: Are You Playing Concord?
This is one of those games that I would probably not even play if it becomes available on PS Plus Essentials monthly games.
Re: Larian Studios' Next Two RPGs Sound Ridiculously Ambitious
I really want to like Larian RPGs. Multiple re-starts on Divinity 2, and the demo on BG3, and it just doesn’t work for me. Something about the isometric style RPGs doesn’t click with my brain because I have never been able to enjoy Diablo either.