Capcom has released a major patch update for their recently launched open-world RPG Dragon’s Dogma 2, aiming to address two of the biggest player frustrations – the unforgiving threat of the viral Dragonsplague and the often unhelpful antics of AI-controlled pawn companions.
The Dragonsplague, a sickness that can spread between players’ games via infected pawns, has proven to be a particularly disastrous mechanic since the game’s launch in March. If left unchecked, any pawns afflicted with glowing red eyes and erratic behavior will eventually transform into rampaging dragons upon resting at an inn, with the potential to decimate entire towns full of NPCs and quest-givers.
While Dragon’s Dogma 2 did warn players frequently about the grave risks of the Dragonsplague, the sheer scale of these viral outbreaks appeared to catch even Capcom by surprise based on the newly implemented changes.
— Dragon's Dogma (@DragonsDogma) April 25, 2024
The latest patch update reduces the overall infection frequency of the Dragonsplague while also making symptoms like glowing pawn eyes more noticeable to players. This should give adventurers more visibility to catch infections early before facing total town annihilation from draconic transformations.
However, Capcom has stopped short of altering the severe consequences that await if the plague is allowed to fully spread, leaving the threat of NPC massacres very much intact for those who fail to contain infected pawns.
Alongside this viral outbreak adjustment, the 1.04 patch also implements numerous refinements to make pawns – the AI party members that accompany players – significantly less aggravating during gameplay.
Key pawn improvements include making them less likely to needlessly repeat dialogue, fall off cliffs, or go quiet during battles when guidance is needed. Pawns will now stay more focused on relevant conversations, respond better when players call for help against enemies, and actually attempt to provide navigation when offering pathfinding advice.
The update further enhances quality-of-life by removing acquired treasure chest icons from minimaps to reduce on-screen clutter.
While Capcom has relented somewhat on the harrowing implications of the Dragonsplague based on player feedback, this patch indicates the developer still intends to preserve Dragon’s Dogma 2’s deliberately unforgiving gameplay pillars like limited fast travel and punishing autosaves.
For those adventurers struggling under the weight of unfair AI accompaniment or the looming shadow of a devastating plague outbreak, however, this patch provides some welcome balancing to one of 2024’s biggest RPG hits so far.
