RPG fans remember the true GOAT of open-world magic: Dragon's Dogma

Dragon's Dogma
(Image credit: Capcom)

Today I'm thinking about the open-world, magic-infused RPG on the tip of everyone's tongue. The game that finally gave casting spells the weight and spectacle you would want from channeling the thaumaturgic. A game with an unquestionably dumb story that still grips you because the world itself is just that cool. A game that some might say was controversial at launch, but only because we mere mortals weren't sure if it's legal for something to kick so much ass. 

That's right; I'm thinking about Dragon's Dogma. And it does my heart good to see that so is everyone else. 

I've been recommending Dragon's Dogma for... Actually, let me just Google the release date. Holy crap, it's been 11 years. How has nobody made a better or equal magic system in all this time? Forspoken had some interesting ideas. Elden Ring made magic absolutely busted, which I appreciate. Dragon Age: Inquisition, The Witcher 3, Divinity: Original Sin 2, arguably even Xenoblade Chronicles 3 and Genshin Impact – all excellent games with good magic and/or magic-adjacent powers. But they ain't no Dragon's Dogma. 

"What makes Dragon's Dogma's magic system so good?" I hear you ask. First of all, it lets you cast spells with the coolest weapons that Capcom's ever made outside of Monster Hunter, including magick bows and shields. Likewise, tons of classes can use magic to great effect, with some of the dual-classes offering some of the most useful spells around – many of which, quite crucially, are much more inventive than merely chucking fireballs. You still need to be a sorcerer wielding a proper staff for the really flashy magic, but I'm not complaining because waving a stick around has never been so epic. 

For my money, games too often treat magic spells like guns. You press a button and something very quickly hits a faraway enemy. This is fine for some spells, like Elden Ring's various glintstone rocks or indeed Dragon's Dogma's most elementary attacks, but it is frankly unromantic when applied to grand conjurings that rival acts of nature. 

Dragon's Dogma knew better. If you want to summon a tornado in Dragon's Dogma, you're going to stand in place, muttering into hands gripped tightly around your magic tool of choice, for several seconds. And you're going to like it. Seriously, you're going to like it. In the same way that food tastes better after a hard day's work, magic feels better after some buildup and anticipation. 

You don't get anticipation with a gun! It wouldn't feel special if a tornado just popped up every time you raised your arm. Screw that! Hunker down, focus, put some stank on it. Watch your stamina bleed away as you pour your very being into ripping a page out of mother nature's book and rewriting it to spell the death of whatever was stupid enough to piss you off. I'm talking to you, Seventh Chimera I've Killed Today. 

I don't know why more games haven't picked up what Dragon's Dogma put down over a decade ago, but luckily the return of the king is nigh: Dragon's Dogma 2 has been announced and it's in active development. Reader, sometimes I wake up early just to have more time in the day to appreciate this fact, and you should too. So I'll leave you with the best sales pitch I've ever heard for this wonderful game.

If you love Elden Ring, you'll love Dragon's Dogma. If you hate Elden Ring, you will also love Dragon's Dogma. 

Another miracle for the list: the abandoned Dragon's Dogma MMO is heading to the West thanks to fans. Dragon's Dogma games are Dragon's Dogma games; they're masterworks all, you can't go wrong.

Austin Wood
Senior writer

Austin has been a game journalist for 12 years, having freelanced for the likes of PC Gamer, Eurogamer, IGN, Sports Illustrated, and more while finishing his journalism degree. He's been with 12DOVE since 2019. They've yet to realize his position is a cover for his career-spanning Destiny column, and he's kept the ruse going with a lot of news and the occasional feature, all while playing as many roguelikes as possible.

Read more
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
Move over, Hogwarts Legacy and Dragon's Dogma 2 – Avowed's magic combat might be my favorite in RPG history
Three knights riding on a scenic dirt path in the hills of Bohemia in Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
"Instant gratification in gaming has become a problem" – Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 dev says the RPG is meant to feel like a spiritual successor to Oblivion and Morrowind
Kai and Gianna battle xaurips in Avowed
Avowed review: "No Skyrim, but an unforgettable return to form for Obsidian Entertainment"
Year in review: Aerith and Tifa stand side-by-side in Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth
From Dragon Age: The Veilguard to Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, here's the best RPGs of 2024
Avowed player spitting streams of fire at their hands at a zombie-like Dreamthrall enemy in a desert environment
Avowed's aversion to realism might not be the most immersive, but it's a breath of fresh air after the hardcore role-play of Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2
A massive fireball explosion engulfs Chieftain Grithin in Avowed
In 14 years I couldn't get through Skyrim, but smashed through Avowed in a weekend thanks to its bite-sized exploration and high-impact combat
Latest in RPG
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"
Baldur's Gate 3 screenshot of a boss turned to gold surrounded by blood
5,000 gold, 2,500 hours, and one priceless scroll: Baldur's Gate 3 player cooks up a "Midas run" by turning the RPG's bosses into solid gold trophies, because "why not"
Stardew Valley Baldur's Gate 3 mod Baldur's Village
Stardew Valley player bringing a bit of Baldur's Gate 3 to ConcernedApe's farming sim, now with Larian's seal of approval, says they've played over 1,500 hours and will improve the mod
Avowed screenshot showing two companions assisting in combat
Avowed director says Xbox and Microsoft are "very happy" with the reception to its new Obsidian RPG
Kingdom Come Deliverance 2 Horses
Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2 has another secret skill, and this one is an absolute game changer - looking down makes you duck under branches while riding your horse
Latest in News
Overwatch 2
My hopes for an Overwatch anime or Diablo horror movie are going strong as Blizzard president points out "we are Blizzard Entertainment, and not simply Blizzard Games"
The New Thunderbolts leaping into action
Marvel's New Thunderbolts* comic steals the MCU's asterisk, and the reason why is just as big of a mystery
Pokemon Go players brace for the worst as Niantic is sold off for $3.5 billion: "This game is entering its death knell"
Stamp PSP
A 16-year-old pitch for a newly discovered first-party PSP game has me mourning the death of PlayStation's Japan Studio all over again
Astarion from Baldur's Gate 3
Baldur's Gate 3 Astarion actor Neil Newbon says he "got rid of" agents who deliberately kept him away from video game gigs: "They just didn't want me to do it"
Mass Effect
Jennifer Hale says she didn't see a single line as Mass Effect's Commander Shepard until it was time to record: "It was all cold reading on the spot"