The Backlog Crusade - Dragon's Dogma

[Saltyie]

Banner by Soultaker655

 

It feels like I buy a new title every day, once again leaving my ever expanding backlog to fester on the shelf (with it's digital equivalent). With the PS4 not getting any younger, I personally still have a mountain of PS3 titles to get through. Some of these I have started, others I have not.  I thought it'd be a fun to delve into the backlog alongside others, to share experiences, impressions, and tips. The game could change monthly, prizes could be awarded, and most importantly, your trophy collection will be that much more complete once we're done. I didn't want this to be an event where we all bought and played through a game, instead it is just a casual event where people who already have the game in their backlog could jump in to discuss and play the game with no real obligation to participate, just when they feel like it. 

 

 

I wanted to start the event with a good'un, Dragon's Dogma. I personally played the game years ago on the 360, but never got close to completing it. I feel that it's is a great game for this type of event, as it's gameplay heavy, is great to give tips on, and constantly provides awesome moments you need to share. Want to join me in my crusade and purge the backlog once and for all? No signup's necessary, just pop in throughout the month to share your progress and experience. Since this will be a longer game, and I want to test the waters with this event, the next game will be started at May 1st, meaning there's an extra half month for the first bout. If you're interested, make sure to reply to the thread. I probably won't make a participants list, but I'd like to see if this format interests anyone. Cheers :-)

 

The ultimate goal:

 

The True Arisen
 

 

Resources:

Trophy Guide - PSNProfiles

Hero Trophy Guide - PSNProfiles

Wiki - Fextralife/Wikia

Trophy Guide - PST.org
Pawn Request Thread - PSNProfiles

Edited March 18, 2016 by Saltyie

[Dragon-Archon]

Great choice, I really liked this monster hunting game. Maybe this thread is useful to add to the OP too: Pawn Request Thread. I already got the plat, but I can offer tips about the main game and the Dark Arisen content.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Dragon-Archon

[Wavergray]

Good luck to anyone who joins this event. Dragon's Dogma is a great game and is very enjoyable game to platinum.

 

Even though I didn't use them both of Dragon-Archon guides for this game are great.

 

Note: I can make you a quick and dirty banner if you need one. 

 

Edited March 17, 2016 by soultaker655

[xZoneHunter]

I can't keep up with these events lol. I have DD on the backlog for ages due to plus, but i doubt i'll get to it this month.

 

Whatever the case, have fun with the game!

[Avatar_Of_Battle]

I highly suggest that for those with the Dark Arisen version explore Bitterblack Isle. I get the feeling a lot of players who go for platinums will miss out on this area of the game and it's a really cool area to go through espeically if you feel like challenging yourself.

Edited March 17, 2016 by Avatar_Of_Battle

[Sigma999]

I have Dragon's Dogma vanilla sitiing on my backlog for almost a year i think . I bought it on a store whe it was on promotion with a bunch of games for 5 euros. I was thiking of starting this Summer or maybe some other JRPG i have sitting on my backlog for my "Summer RPG vacation time" which i started this event 2 years ago where i start and finish at least one RPG  mostly JRPG in Summer's vacations.

 

I might begin Dragon's Dogma early thanks to this event and share my experiences with the game 

[CasaDeBen]

Hmm I should join in on this. I got the game the day it came out but never properly invested time in it even though I thought it was great. Ive kinda been hoping a remaster would come out as ive basically sworn off my ps3

[Happy]

I'd really like to join the party but i already platted the game a hot while ago. I can only offer to give out tips 30% slower than Dragon.

[Edunstar84]

I don't own the game (and probably won't purchase it), but I wish everyone luck!

[Feral]

I like the idea of this, if I had Dragon's Dogma already then I'd join in. I'll certainly keep an eye on this.

[Pumpkin Head Cthulhu]

one of my most played PS3 games, great game.

[zorba-da-greek]

Count me in!  Dragon's Dogma is part of my backlog and is staring me in the face! Such a great RPG needs to be finished! I'm definitely joining this Crusade!

[Saltyie]

Welcome to everyone joining me on the crusade! Both going for the platinum, and providing guidance. I'm currently downloading my copy from the PS+ offering years ago, and Ill start tonight. Posting from my phone so I'll update the OP with some info and reply to peeps after my first session.

[freddie1989]

I may drop in on this but I need to check out my resources. I know the PS+ offering I had corrupted so I can't download it but I have a feeling I may have this on physical somewhere in my ridiculous backlog!!

On a side note, Saltyie will you be doing more of these threads as I am always in for a good backlog hunt and they are more fun when there is banter and others doing it as well?

[awf9495]

Played through the campaign twice with two different characters and absolutely loved it.  Probably could have platted it if I paid attention to trophies at the time, but hindsight and all that.  Anyway, I am 9 trophies short of the plat which would require two full playthroughs as I believe I started a mage to play alongside a friend who didn't like the game nearly as much as me.

 

I'll have to see if I can squeeze this in after I knock a few games off of the "raise your trophy grade" challenge.

[starcrunch061]

Good choice. Go for it, guys.

[Mendant909]

Seems like a good reason to restart Dragon's Dogma, I'll join in. The platinum image is beautiful and it makes a good candidate for trophy #6,000; just depends on how I feel about the game throughout my first playthrough.

[Saltyie]

Note: I can make you a quick and dirty banner if you need one. 

 

Cheers for whipping that up, added! 

 

 

On a side note, Saltyie will you be doing more of these threads as I am always in for a good backlog hunt and they are more fun when there is banter and others doing it as well?

Maybe, it depends on this instalments reception. I'm using this as a learning experience to gauge how often games should be changed, among other things :-)

 

 

I booted it up this evening and it was clear that I had forgotten 90% of my previous experience. I spent most of my session replaying the tutorial (which should be skippable :/) to re-do my character. Alas, I had forgotten my purpose, to play the damn game! I played a good chunk, and am nearing the end of the first 'act'. I have been following Dragon's Hero guide so I don't miss a side quest, but it's still fun to wander off and get mugged by a bunch of hobgoblins (or to restrain your pawn and boot him off a cliff.  ). My only real complaint thus far is the Pawn dialogue. I already had to turn off the subtitles because they drowned the game in ramblings, but they still blabber on about random shit. I'm looking forward to properly getting back into it. 

[Dragon-Archon]

I booted it up this evening and it was clear that I had forgotten 90% of my previous experience. I spent most of my session replaying the tutorial (which should be skippable :/) to re-do my character. Alas, I had forgotten my purpose, to play the damn game! I played a good chunk, and am nearing the end of the first 'act'. I have been following Dragon's Hero guide so I don't miss a side quest, but it's still fun to wander off and get mugged by a bunch of hobgoblins (or to restrain your pawn and boot him off a cliff.  ). My only real complaint thus far is the Pawn dialogue. I already had to turn off the subtitles because they drowned the game in ramblings, but they still blabber on about random shit. I'm looking forward to properly getting back into it. 

The tutorial is absent from NG+ and onwards.

 

It never gets old to throw pawns from a cliff .

[Kidd82]

I have this game in my backlog from a free PS+ download ages ago. I'll join it the fun, needed to figure out which game to clear out next anyway! 

[Saltyie]

I'm spending today finishing the first two stage's side and main quests. This is what makes going through the backlog worth it for me. For every handful of grindy, uninteresting or just plain glitchy experiences, there's a gem like Dragon's Dogma. I have caught the fever, and am loving how it distances itself from other RPGs with a few awesome world building features. Having no fast travel is a pain when I had to travel between the main city and the starting town, but normally it makes the game that much more immersive, as night is bloody scary. Whereas in Skyrim I could be off adventuring without returning to a city for in-game months at a time, in Dragon's Dogma it feels like a necessity to book it back to base camp once the sun sets. it doesn't help that my pawn is a midget green-skinned red-afro goblin from the depths of hell. Scary stuff indeed.

 

I'm currently using the Assassin vocation, while my Pawn is using the Warrior vocation. I've been using some lvl30 pawns from my friend's list, which cheesed the first few hours of the game for me. I've almost caught up to their level though, so the game will be balanced once more. I don't mind that though, the combat is some of the best I've played in an RPG, and I love how your pawns set sweet moves up for you, like getting a boost, or pinning an enemy for you to finish. I only wish my bow did a little more damage though, it feels pretty weak at the moment.

[Dragon-Archon]

Having no fast travel is a pain when I had to travel between the main city and the starting town, but normally it makes the game that much more immersive, as night is bloody scary. Whereas in Skyrim I could be off adventuring without returning to a city for in-game months at a time, in Dragon's Dogma it feels like a necessity to book it back to base camp once the sun sets.

You can create your own fast travel with the Portcrystals. There are also fixed ones in Gran Soren and Cassardis, these become active after completing Lure of the Abyss. You can use a Ferrystone from everywhere in the world to transport to a Portcrystal.

 

Glad to see you're having a lot of fun with the game. If you have the Dark Arisen version, I recommend to try out Bitterblack Isle once you're lvl 80+. It's a combination of Dragon's Dogma and Dark Souls. I spend around 200 hours here .

Edited March 19, 2016 by Dragon-Archon

[Saltyie]

You can create your own fast travel with the Portcrystals. There are also fixed ones in Gran Soren and Cassardis, these become active after completing Lure of the Abyss. You can use a Ferrystone from everywhere in the world to transport to a Portcrystal.

 

Glad to see you're having a lot of fun with the game. If you have the Dark Arisen version, I recommend to try out Bitterblack Isle once you're lvl 80+. It's a combination of Dragon's Dogma and Dark Souls. I spend around 200 hours here .

Good to know. From what I remember playing on the 360, it feels like I must have just cut straight through a portion of the main story and missed out on the wealth of side content and mechanics available.  I have the Dark Arisen expansion from the PS+ offering a while back, I've been getting a few notifications about the isle every once and a while too. Dark Souls being one of my favourite games of all time has made trying out the expansion go from maybe to a definite. 

[Dragon-Archon]

Good to know. From what I remember playing on the 360, it feels like I must have just cut straight through a portion of the main story and missed out on the wealth of side content and mechanics available.  I have the Dark Arisen expansion from the PS+ offering a while back, I've been getting a few notifications about the isle every once and a while too. Dark Souls being one of my favourite games of all time has made trying out the expansion go from maybe to a definite. 

I loved the Dark Arisen content. It has mimics, hidden treasures, and enemies that are attracted to enemy corpses and appear out of nowhere. It gives a feeling of never letting your guard down. Also after beating the final boss on Bitterblack Isle, the real Dark Arisen starts .

[Couch]

I like the idea Salt. I have this but I can't get myself to start something new with everything else I'm currently playing. Looking forward to see what's on the schedule for next month.