MeinMMO editor Nikolas Hernes gave Dragon’s Dogma 2 little chance in 2025, but the gamescom 2026 convinced him otherwise, and all it took was an impressive dragon.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 and I had a difficult relationship in 2025. After only a few hours, I gave up and put the game aside. It simply didn’t click, which I mainly attribute to not being in the right mood for the game.
Although the game looks like a classic open-world RPG, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is still something special. The way the world is structured and how the mechanics intertwine is just fascinating.
That’s why I wanted to give the game another chance at gamescom 2026, this time with a nearly one-hour demo of Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, the expansion to the game that is set to be released on October 9, 2026.
I never thought it would be possible, but the demo was one of the best experiences of this year’s fair. (Of course, I could have just listened to MeinMMO editor Karsten.)
A Whole Adventure in Just One Hour
The demo started in the new area, Norgan. The snowy place creates a somewhat different atmosphere when exploring, making the night feel even scarier, as the white snow contrasts beautifully with the light sources.
To make exploration even more interesting, there is a new loot system in Dark Arisen. You find so-called artifacts that you first have to decipher in one of the villages. But this will cost you a small fee.
Together with my companions, I set off on a little journey in Norgan and encountered some enemies with axes, as well as some nasty wolves. The combat was chaotic but quite fun because the enemies tend to attack together, and wolves can even grab you by the arm and annoy you briefly.
Along with the companions, a team dynamic formed that reminded me of fantasy anime or films, especially when you have different vocations – or classes – involved.
After a while, I arrived in an area where everything was calm at first. But suddenly, a huge yeti with two tusks and a giant club appeared. That was really cool.
Not only did the monster sound incredibly massive, but the fight was also really fun because you as the player involuntarily staged it. For example, one of my companions helped me by catching me when I fell or pushing me out of the way of the club.
But the demo was not over yet. I had to face a dragon in an abandoned castle. But not just any regular dragon.
A Dragon to Fall in Love Fear
Capcom itself calls him the Fallen Dragon, and I never thought a dragon could impress me in 2026, but visually it really delivered here.
The dragon is covered in holes, has a long nose, and has no eyes. Paired with its size, I felt awe at first sight. But then the battle begins as the dragon spits out a horde of zombies that rush at me and my companions.
This turned the fight chaotic but truly epic. Slowly, a sense of desperation developed as I had to deal with the dragon alongside the zombies. When I finally managed to sever one of its arms, hope began to grow – but I was wrong.
Suddenly, it took off, healed completely, and finished me off with one final, impressive attack. The demo is over, and I am thrilled.
This short demo felt like a whole adventure: moments filled with action, hope, desperation, and an impressive ending. No RPG could provide me this mix of emotions in such a short time, but it was great, and I admit: Dragon’s Dogma deserves a 2nd chance from me and all who already love it will probably love Dark Arisen as well – at least if the mood of the demo carries through into the full expansion.
The gamescom 2026 offers many great games and also some surprises. Completely different from Dragon’s Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, but no less exciting is the cyberpunk shooter No Law: A cyberpunk shooter does what only Super Mario could: I am looking forward to a damn mustache
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