Dragon's Dogma 2 Has Just One Save File To Encourage Exploration

Wesley writes, "Be careful jumping off that cliff – you can't revert your save if you die. After playing the game myself for about three hours I could definitely feel a friction with just one save file, but it's one I came to appreciate. Yes, Dragon's Dogma 2 is hard, extremely so in some ways. Dying can set you back some, and I'd be lying if I said I didn't want for the ability to revert saves (after saving right in front of a tough monster, for example). But it's clear Capcom has a vision with its difficulty and single save file; it makes your every action that much more impactful."

[exputers]

That's pretty unique tbh.

[Name Last Name]

It kind of works like Souls games. You can have multiple saves/characters but there’s no backtracking progress in each.

[exputers]

Oh, thanks for clarifying. I had it a little different.

[Christopher]

Sounds more like they're punishing exploration and people will in the end look to guides more than feel free to explore openly.

[mkis007]

Yep if dying penalizes me, I follow the path.

[Tapani]

You just see the negative in this. This is a net positive for a hardcore RPG.

[Christopher]

I'm seeing it for what it is. Exploration leading to death is a punishment, which is the opposite of what they said.

I'm not saying this form of exploration is bad or a bad design choice, only that their statements don't line up with their design. For example, From Software is big on exploring being punishing. But they don't say it encourages exploration. They say the world is dangerous and will kill you, but there are things to find in the world if you take chance and explore. And this type of design absolutely leads to people being more prone to using online guides because not everyone is keen on being repeatedly punished for exploring.

That's it. Just facts. I still play From Software games. I also play less punishing games. They are different design choices. Developers should be honest about it is all.

[Tapani]

@Christopher I get where you are coming from, however, you see it through your own subjective lense, and it doesn't make it somehow the "truth" or "for what it is". It's just your opinion, nothing more, nothing less. You can argue for it, but I can find 100 arguments for mine.

And you are factually wrong about "From Software" (Who is FromSoft anyway? A company of hundreds of people? One representative? Does that person represent every single person in the company? Who are you specifically speaking about? Companies are people, so specify them before throwing out generalizations out there.)

Miyazaki has mentioned often in interviews that for example in Elden Ring that if you find a tough boss you cannot overcome, they encourage exploration of other areas to have the character become stronger and find better equipment. The whole game design was based on this exploration! That exploration is difficult and often leads to death, but it is encouraged.

I think you need to get your facts straight before throwing the word "fact" around.

[helicoptergirl]

I like this approach. I want to be wary of every step I take in a new direction or area. Me head on a swivel. I'll be playing this directly after I get the platinum for Rise Of The Ronin.

[victorMaje]

Definitely makes actions more impactful but may also cause more frustration. We’ll see how things go.

[Duke19]

"We want to encourage exploration, by actively punishing trial and error"

Im not saying its the wrong approach, but this just seems logically backwards.

[Tacoboto]

They sure are cocky with their presentation of this game.

Limited Fast Travel isn't bad, other games have boring worlds.
Uncapped Framerate, that hovers far below VRR range and has no option to toggle a locked 30, is communicated like it's a positive.
Only one character slot, to make you explore more, which makes almost no sense and is extremely limiting to those that want to try multiple builds (this isn't BOTW or TOTK, it's a full-on RPG).

I get having confidence in your product (and the previews reinforce that) but dang they're taking it to the extreme

[jznrpg]

I like limited Fast Travel personally. The one save slot is a bit odd especially with the explanation they give.

[MeatyUrologist]

I don't really understand the hate of fast travel. Exploration is one of my favorite things in games, but in games where the world deserves exploring, I ignore fast travel, so why not make it an option?.

I have very limited time to Game, so if half my Play time is spent traversing the same ground to get to objectives just to artificially bloat the game length Nd then spin it as a positive, I will likely pass.

[andy85]

Yeah same. Exploration is good. But if you've explored the area and you want to move right across the map. It's frustrating in an on foot game.

[mkis007]

Artificially extends game time in the worst way, like random battles

[andy85]

This game is baffling me. The frame rate into the 20s on a game that looks like an early PS4 game, one save file? It's a big open world game, it's tricky to iron out all bugs. What if there is a save or a progression issue?

[staticall]

> we want to encourage exploration, and this is quite the opposite of what you get when you allow too much freedom in this regard.
Sounds illogical - we want to encourage exploration, that's why we're punishing you for doing wrong by setting you back. How about adding a separate resource, like setting up a camp to save? Or some sort of resurrection stone? I mean, at least something for extra safety.

If my exploration sets me back by a lot (i remember playing DD1 for few in-game nights and just exploring without going back to town), i wouldn't want to lose my progress/stuff and that would force me to get back to the inn just to be safe at the first sight of trouble. Or i might just ignore "dangerous" parts altogether, until i'm overpowered and then that isn't interesting/challenging anymore. Doesn't sound fun.

And i'm fine with limited fast travel (probably similar system as in DD1 with ferrystones). But game can be challenging without constant player punishing.

> If you are at a cliff of a discernible height, with multiple save options (like the ability to save right there and quickly revert back to it), you might just jump to see if you can make it. "That has quite the opposite effect of encouraging that exploration feel," Itsuno says.
Again, remembering DD1, sometimes, simple enemy can push you off the cliff, not to mention something like cyclops; then all your planning kinda goes to waste, huh?

---

I don't want to judge the game yet, without playing it first and i'm optimistic. I just hope that devs don't try to make the game too frustrating for the sole reason of getting "that exploration feel", whatever that actually means.
Kinda wish they would add a difficulty option, instead of forcing everyone.

And does that mean that game can have only 1 character with 1 save file? Or multiple characters?

Also, what if save file will get corrupted/damaged? Any automatic backups?

[WolfSeed]

Excuse me? You can incite exploration and still have multiple accounts, like Monster Hunter World. That is just a lame excuse.

[SeTTriP]

Can't remember but wasn't dd1 only one save?....

[MeteorPanda]

3 slots.

[MeteorPanda]

...They trying to make dragon's dogma some sort of elden ring?

I want to explore...l don't think punishment for randomly dying is the right move. I might not pick this game up if its hard for the sake of being hard. I am not a souls enjoyer despite loving their world building.

[SeTTriP]

The first dd was hard in the beginning (really hard) but once you start leveling learning skills and get to your special vocation it becomes cake.the dlc was harder a bit of a grind and enemies were geared towards max level characters.

[ZeekQuattro]

One less game I'll have to buy this month. Kudos Capcom.

[P_Bomb]

Single saves always freak me out. I like to have backups. Not for save scumming, just in case of technical difficulties.

[SeTTriP]

Cloud saving comes in handy in these situations.its not optimal but it's something.

[OneLove]

Hmm his reasoning for this implementation is interesting to say the least🤔

[gold_drake]

im not sure having one savefile is such a good idea.