Dragon's Dogma - Official Strategy Guide (2012) [PS3, X360]

Dragon's Dogma (2012) is an action role-playing game developed and published by Capcom (originally on PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360). Dragon's Dogma received generally positive reviews from critics, with a lot of 8s (out of 10) from critics. The original game and Dark Arisen had sold 8 million units by the end of 2023. Dragon's Dogma Online (2015) was a Japan-exclusive MMORPG, there was an animated series released on Netflix in 2020, and Dragon's Dogma 2 (2024) was also well-received. Dragon's Dogma was conceptualized by director Hideaki Itsuno, who had a lot of experience previously directing Devil May Cry 2, 3, 4 and 5. Along with several fighting games like Project Justice, Power Stone 2, Capcom vs. SNK 2: Mark of the Millennium 2001, and Auto Modellista; along with producing several games too. 

You customize your own avatar and explore an open world in real-time combat. You create and mold your character into several classes, but the stand-out feature is being accompanied by three Pawns, characters who provide combat support and advice. One Pawn is customizable, and two additional Pawns are either pre-set within the game or are customized Pawns shared by other players through an online lobby. They are controlled by AI, and while they can be given commands, they also will learn from how you like to fight and copy how you do things. There’s so much to them I can't explain but know they can level up and learn things from other players – then you can take them for your own. So fun. The combat is amazingly detailed and nuanced – like what you would expect from an RPG being designed by the man who directed several fighting games. It starts out simple but as you level up you unlock more skills that change the way you fight, like a shield bash that can stun, or a dodge roll and a double jump for the rouge vocation. Then later you unlock additional skills in your primary slots, letting you perform devastating attacks, slow time, summon a tornado, or use strings to pull down a big creature. It will take some time, but there’s a lot to discover. During combat there is a feature where you can grapple and climb up on enemies and bosses, and I can't explain how cool it is to jump up on a Chimera and work your way around to its lion's head to attack it. You start with three basic vocations (like fighter, strider, and mage) but these expanded into more advanced ones, and even some kick-ass hybrid ones. You can be an archer that can wield devastating magic, and so much more. The game has unique systems that are amazing to see, but it can also be clunky at times. The combat works well but the narrative is very weak, and there are little things that can be frustrating, like equipping new gear and using the controls on PC. This will last you a good amount of time. The Dark Arisen version will give you around 30+ hours to beat the main quests, but to obtain 100% completion you're likely to spend around 115 hours. 

What is Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen? An enhanced version subtitled Dark Arisen was later released for the same consoles in 2013, with ports later released for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Windows, and later for the Nintendo Switch (in 2019). This was an expanded version that was designed to be a "complete" version that includes additional content such as an extra dungeon, Bitterblack Isle, with additional weapons and armor exclusive to that area, and full Japanese voice acting. Bitterblack Isle was designed as a lore-based end-game dungeon with powerful enemies. Dark Arisen has its own guide, but most new content in in the new area, so this guide is still useful. Save data from the original Dragon's Dogma can be transferred into Dark Arisen, but I recommend starting on the PlayStation 4 or Xbox One versions. The resolution is much better, and the framerate is much more steady and remains smoother overall. 

The Dragon's Dogma - Official Strategy Guide is a massive 384-pages, full-color, with detailed maps that show the locations of shops, quests, and other important places. If you have been stingy on downloading guides because you don't see the need, then THIS is the guide you don’t want to miss. You get so much content here and it's squeezed into every page; this is the smallest text I’ve seen in a guide this year! You get backstory on the world and characters; then you have a rundown on how to edit and design your character. This guide is designed for a modern audience, giving you detailed instructions on all aspects of the game, because many will buy this digitally so you won't have a manual included. It explains your Vocation and how to design one for yourself. It tells you how Pawns work and how to use team dynamics, plus it covers all the resistances and explains the stagger and knockback power. There are also several aspects the game doesn't explain, so having a guide is handy. This is a big RPG and just has way too many concepts to talk about here, but I will mention the great maps, with everything being scanned at 3200 pixels, so you can zoom in as much as you need without losing detail. The other big help is the comprehensive bestiary revealing each enemy's strengths and weaknesses, which you need to use to maximize your effectiveness. This guide is perfect for both new players trying to figure out how things work, and seasoned gamers looking for additional challenges and insights. If you want to get lost in an engrossing RPG, then this guide is a great way to experience it. 

This is an amazing find because Amazon has an outdated entry for this particular guide (it didn't show it immediately when I tried to search by name). It shows the Dark Arisen Comprehensive Guide version instead, but I don't know if the content is much different. Thanks to @Roark406 for donating this one and making an outstanding scan. @dablais spruces up the edit.