Capcom’s high-octane action RPG is getting a sequel almost ten years later.
Some thought that Dragon’s Dogma would never get a sequel. Well, the joke’s on them because it is officially happening.
During 10th anniversary stream on Thursday, Dragon’s Dogma 2 was announced. Most people knew this was coming since that not-so-subtle anniversary website probably wouldn’t have gone up otherwise. Hideaki Itsuno, director of Devil May Cry 5 and the original Dragon’s Dogma, is in charge of the sequel. Do you hear that? It’s the sound of fans worldwide breathing a sigh of relief.
Sadly, there’s no teaser trailer or anything yet. Not exactly what many of us were hoping for, but Capcom will likely have more information soon. I still can’t believe this wasn’t at the Capcom Showcase, but what can you do.
Dragon’s Dogma II will begin the cycle anew. Join director Hideaki Itsuno as he reflects on how the world of Gransys came to be and shares the announcement of the upcoming sequel, in development using RE Engine: 🐉 https://t.co/Q2HSN1fCjipic.twitter.com/JPp117xuOX
Dragon’s Dogma 2 has no announced platform as of this post. No release date information yet ethier, but that’s a given since it was just revealed. Hopefully, it’s not too far off because most of us could go for another solid action RPG after Elden Ring.
The original Dragon’s Dogma came out on PS3 and Xbox 360 almost ten years ago. It began as a cult classic but slowly gained a sizeable fanbase after several re-releases. It’s still well worth tracking down in 2022.
Whether it’s Resident Evil or Street Fighter, there are a lot of exciting projects in the works at Capcom.
Out of all the massive streams going on during not-E3, few were overflowing with anticipation like Capcom’s shindig. At least, for those of us who grew up exploring the spencer mansion or spent countless hours looking for Rathalos. Huge nerds like me, basically.
The Capcom Showcase went down on Monday and lived up to expectations. For the most part, anyway. Resident Evil Village‘s DLC looks excellent, and the Gold Edition re-release will be a solid bundle. Unfortunately, Street Fighter 6 wasn’t in the presentation much. That’s not a deal-breaker, given how many hours it has been in the spotlight recently.
There were loads of sick announcements all the same, though. I’ve listed the most notable stuff below.
Resident Evil 4, Street Fighter 6, and more will probably be there.
We’re in the thick of not-E3 season, where game publishers put together flashy sizzle reels and special events. Capcom is the latest challenger joining the fray.
The Capcom Showcase is happening on June 13, 2022, at 3:00 P.M. PDT // 6:00 P.M. EDT // 10:00 P.M. GMT.
Somehow, 10 years have gone by since Dragon’s Dogma came out. Yet another feeble, joint-creaking reminder that we’re all getting old. If nothing else, at least one of the best RPGs ever released is getting some proper recognition.
On Monday, Capcom launched the Dragon’s Dogma 10th anniversary website. It highlights everything from the Dark Arisen expansion to the Netflix anime adaptation, sort of a miniature wiki. While this may not seem like a big deal, fans (like me) are feasting. Unlike Monster Hunter, Resident Evil, or Street Fighter— Dragon’s Dogma isn’t one of Capcom’s massive IPs. At least, not the sort that gets celebratory websites. So everyone is hoping this means a sequel is in the works.
The 10th anniversary artwork for Dragon’s Dogma is pretty sick too. Check it out below.
Dragon’s Dogma director Hideaki Itsuno even left a message for fans.
“Dragon’s Dogma, first released in 2012, is celebrating its 10th anniversary! Thank you, Arisen, for taking up arms and braving the impossible challenges laid ahead of you,” Itsuno said. “We are forever grateful for your support throughout the years and hope you will join us in this momentous celebration of Dragon’s Dogma!”
For those of you that are unaware, Itsuno also directed the incredible Devil May Cry 5. We still don’t know what his current project is, but you are probably picking up what I’m putting down right now.
The company achieved “record-high annual sales volume” of 32.6 million units, with big thanks going to Resident Evil 8’s 6.1 million and Monster Hunter Stories 2’s 1.5 million.
Capcom’s financials are also out today (it’s that time of year) and it has also had a stonker. The company achieved “record-high annual sales volume” of 32.6 million units, with big thanks going to Resident Evil 8’s 6.1 million and Monster Hunter Stories 2’s 1.5 million. Monster Hunter: Rise on PC, plus back-catalog sales of Monster Hunter: World and Resi 7.
All this made for an increase year-on-year of just about everything, and “the fifth consecutive year of record-high profit at all levels.” Turns out making good games in famous series and releasing them internationally to high acclaim is a good way to make cash.
Capcom also makes promises for the future, including “multiple major new titles” in the coming financial year. This includes the major Rise expansion, Sunbreak, as well as Resi 8 DLC and a few smaller bits and pieces.
It’s also likely an indication that Street Fighter 6 is coming this FY, alongside no doubt a couple more surprises. Exoprimal, the weirdo dino-shooter, and Pragmata, the mysterious action game, are also both on the potential slate for the coming 12 months.
We spoke to competitive players and commentators to find out what the final verdict is on Street Fighter V, and what to expect from SF6.
“Honestly, it’s just a shame the launch was such a disaster and the game gained the reputation it did,” competitive Street Fighter V player Shivan “Shivryuken” Dass tells GLHF. “In my opinion, Street Fighter V now compared to launch is pretty much unrecognizable. As it is now, the game is genuinely really good.”
Street Fighter V has been through the wringer. At launch, the game was infamously lacking in content, without even a mode to play a standard best-of-three match with a CPU opponent of your choice, let alone an Arcade mode, a fighting game genre staple. The game was made with an online experience in mind, and even that was difficult to enjoy when server stability and netcode just wasn’t up to scratch.
But several seasons of content, new modes, new music, a story mode, and 30 extra characters have completely changed the game, and although the mood has shifted, those first impressions really do matter.
“Coming from a company with like 30 years experience in making fighting games, you don’t really expect it to be barebones like that,” Marcus “Packz” Parker of Frame Advantage tells us. “But it’s so, so much better right now.”
After a rocky launch and years of updates, Street Fighter V has received its last patch. The final patch was huge, adding new cosmetic options and bonuses, but most importantly, balance changes across the cast that have changed how the game plays.
“It’s always been one of the coolest aspects of fighting games, seeing how well some players can react and turn unexpected situations into a sick combo on the fly,” fighting game commentator James Chen explains. “Street Fighter V was always lacking in this department and while the update hasn’t turned the game into Marvel VS. Capcom or anything, it’s still an improvement over what it was before. It allows players to express themselves more and stand out more.”
Not every player loves the changes, of course. For a high-level player it can be jarring adjusting to a finely balanced game, only to have seemingly everything overturned. “I don’t like the latest update. The best version of the game was the previous patch,” French player Chris “Akainu” Onema explains to us. “Some characters just had to be fixed a little, others nerfed a bit, but they completely changed everything. It’s the last year of SFV and some players have essentially lost their character due to the patch. I feel bad for them.”
ELEAGUE STREET FIGHTER V INVITATIONAL
GROUP D: REGULAR SEASON
The final Street Fighter V patch opened up combo routes for a lot of characters through juggles – that is, hitting an opponent in the air before they touch the ground, potentially multiple times. Previously most attacks would go straight through an airborne enemy, but now many attacks do land, meaning experience players can keep their combos going longer than ever. The reward for smart play is now higher than ever for a talented player.
For competitive players, the patch brings more than just a few buffs and nerfs. The smallest changes can have a significant impact on the micro-situations that players find themselves multiple times for every second a match continues, and not just for the character you’re playing, but for every other character you could potentially play against. The pressure is on for players to learn everything they can in time to quality for 2022’s Capcom Cup.
“It’s supposedly the ‘last’ Capcom Pro Tour for SFV, so I would like to go all out and see how it goes, as I have been very close to qualifying for Capcom Cup in the past,” Shakil “Shakz” Ghazi tells us as he outlines his plans for the year.
But prize money for fighting game tournaments is notoriously low in comparison to other major esports, and players can’t afford to go full-time in fighting games unless they consistently place well and travel to tournaments. “I have a full-time job so I can’t put as much time as I would like into SFV,” Shakz continues. “I still practice when I can to stay sharp. I’m waiting for Capcom to announce the CPT schedule so I can plan ahead.”
“Living in Europe is really awkward in terms of being a competitive Street Fighter player,” Shivryuken laments. But optimism really is the only cure. “It feels like if you have no sponsorship, your opportunities to qualify for the Capcom Cup are really limited, but I will try my best and hopefully I’ll get lucky along the way!”
Now that Street Fighter V is wrapping up, players are looking to the future. Street Fighter 6 was recently announced with a teaser trailer showcasing an extremely wide, realistic Ryu, and SFV‘s final DLC character, Luke.
“He’s the undisputed best in the game. If you really want to win, you might as well play Luke,” Packz tells us before sharing his Street Fighter 6 wishlist. “It’d be nice if there was a tournament mode with blind picks that allows us to set how many games and round there are, so it feels like a real tournament. In-game esports integration too: if there’s a tournament stream happening, show it in-game.”
Image: Red Bull Kumite, Las Vegas, 2021.
“SF6 needs a very diverse roster with some complex characters that encourage specialists,” stresses Benjamin “Problem X” Simon, EVO 2018 and Red Bull Kumite 2021 champion. “Another thing is less of an aggressive comeback mechanic. I think it’s good to have one, but it shouldn’t be something that can turn the entire game around once used.”
“I’d love to see a continued focus on the Pro Tour and something to capitalize on the social element of fighting games,” outlines Gino “Ginodacampo” Christoforou. “That’s really something that no other genre can emulate. Cross-play between platforms, an improved Capcom Fighters Network, and a clear way to learn and grow with the game are high up on my wishlist.”
“Street Fighter has never been a series of legacy mechanics or staying stagnant. I really hope that Street Fighter 6 is a unique property, willing to do its own thing,” James Chen says as he shares his hopes with us. “Do something to make it different to everything else, as Street Fighter has always been!”
But after the pandemic, there’s one feature that every player is wishing for. When asked if he was hoping for netcode improvements, Packz simply replied: “Oh mate. I think that should be at the forefront.”
When Monster Hunter: Rise launches on PC next year, all post-launch content from the Nintendo Switch version will be there.
Capcom took some time to address fan concerns regarding what’s all in the PC port of Monster Hunter: Rise, especially in light of news that there would be no cross-player between versions. Rest assured, nothing will be left behind when the game comes out for PC on Jan. 12, 2022.
“When Monster Hunter Rise launches on Steam, it will include all of the content up to Ver.3.6.1 of the Nintendo Switch version,” Capcom said on Steam. “We are also planning to synch the content with the Nintendo Switch version at the end of February 2022.”
Monster Hunter: Rise has been on Nintendo Switch since March of this year and there’s been a slew of updates since. Collaborations include crossovers with Megaman 11, Okami, Street Fighter, Ghosts ‘n Goblins, Monster Hunter Stories 2 and Sonic the Hedgehog.
Furthermore, loads of new monsters have been added since the Nintendo Switch launch too. Such as Teostra, Kushala Daora, Chameleos, Apex Diablos, Apex Rathalos, Crimson Glow Valstrax and Apex Zinogre. The two new endings will be in the PC port as well.
If you plan to double-dip on Monster Hunter: Rise’s PC port, know you’re leaving Switch progress behind.
Anyone hoping that the upcoming PC port of Monster Hunter: Rise would play nice with its Nintendo Switch counterpart is in for a big disappointment. According to developer Capcom, neither cross-saves nor cross-play will be part of the game.
Monster Hunter: Rise came out on Nintendo Switch back in March and is already one of the highest-selling titles of the year. As Capcom is looking to make PC its primary platform, a port of Monster Hunter: Rise, along with its forthcoming Sunbreak expansion, are coming to PC next summer. The port will support loads of graphical bells and whistles that aren’t available on the Switch version, but sadly, progression and play between the two platforms aren’t among those features.
“We’ve heard your requests for Cross-Save/Cross-Play for Monster: Hunter: Rise and Sunbreak,” Capcom said on Twitter. “Unfortunately, after looking into it throughout the development process, we found we are unable to implement it this time.”
We’ve heard your requests for Cross-Save / Cross-Play for #MHRise & #Sunbreak, but unfortunately, after looking into it throughout the development process, we found we are unable to implement it this time. As always, we appreciate your continued feedback and support.
It’s not shocking, per se, but easy to understand why many fans aren’t thrilled with this announcement. Monster Hunter requires you to play for hundreds of hours to reach its coolest content. So anyone that wants to double-dip and get the PC version for its technical improvements will just have to grind to the end game again.
Cross-saves, in particular, isn’t an uncommon feature between Switch and PC, either. The recent Diablo 2: Resurrected, for example, allows for it. As for cross-play between platforms, it’s more of a standard every day. Fortnite is huge on Switch and has cross-play.
Here’s to hoping Capcom changes its tune before Monster Hunter: Rise makes it to PC.
So Resident Evil:Welcome To Raccoon City finally got a trailer, and naturally, it’s pretty over-the-top.
All live-action Resident Evil movies are goofy, but the big difference with Welcome To Raccoon City is that it has nothing to do with the Paul W. S. Anderson films. Yup, we’re in reboot territory with this one — complete with a storyline that’s closer to Capcom’sResident Evil video games. Sorry, Milla Jovovich fans. At least you have the Monster Hunter movie?
Welcome To Raccoon City is an adaptation of the first two games. Complete with Chris Redfield, Claire Redfield, Jill Valentine, Leon S. Kennedy, and virtually every other central character from Resident Evil and Resident Evil 2. Even zombie dogs are here — which crash through windows for a jump scare in an obvious nod to the games.
Check out Resident Evil:Welcome To Raccoon City‘s new trailer for yourself below.
Johannes Roberts is the director of this one, best known for his shark movie 47 Meters Down — which is a surprisingly decent horror flick.
You can tell Roberts is a fan of the Resident Evil games just by how many references there are in Welcome To Raccoon City’s trailer. There’s the Spencer Mansion, Raccoon City’s Police Department, and heck, even an “itchy, tasty” line drawn in blood. Someone better ask for a Jill Sandwich at some point, or I’ll be physically upset.
Hopefully, despite how silly the trailer is, Resident Evil:Welcome To Raccoon City ends up as one of the better video game movie adaptations.
