Summary
The open-world genre is simultaneously more diverse than it ever has been, but also the most predictable. While games likeHorizon: Forbidden Westcan give players aphoto-realistic action-adventureexperience that pits them against robot dinosaurs,Minecraftcan offer a stylized sandbox world that lets the player create whatever they can set their mind to. But regardless of how different their gameplay loops or art styles are, there are a set of conventions that have made it into most modern-day open-world games, andDragon’s Dogma 2andZelda: Tears of the Kingdomare no different.
Though there are many differences between the two,Dragon’s Dogma 2andZelda: Tears of the Kingdomare actually fairly similar, at least when it comes to their open-world design. Both games put a large focus on emergent gameplay and narrative, both games emphasize player-led exploration, and both games share plenty of conventional open-world features such as a cooking mechanic, though one game arguably does this better than the other.
Zelda’s Open-World Cooking Is More Fitting Than Dragon’s Dogma 2’s
Dragon’s Dogma 2’s Cooking Mechanic Breaks Immersion
Dragon’s Dogma 2is filled with features and mechanics that have inspired some pretty big reactions online, from its infamousDragonsplague diseasethat causes Pawns to go insane and destroy entire villages and towns, to its unwillingness to let players fast travel around the world too easily. While it may not have spurred as much of a conversation as those features,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s cooking mechanic still sparked an interesting reaction upon launch, and it was all down to the mechanic’s presentation.
When resting ata campfire inDragon’s Dogma 2, players can choose to cook some meat on the fire. This presents players with an in-game cinematic that shows a live-action piece of meat being cooked in a pan, with real flames surrounding it. Initially, players might find this cutscene quite impressive, and even quite calming, with the soft lighting and sounds of the flames flickering being quite pleasant. This quick cutscene might also be a highlight for foodies, with the meat being presented on-screen in quite an appetizing way.
However,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s cooking cutscene loses its luster quite quickly. The live-action sequence might look impressive, but it’s incredibly jarring to experience, withDragon’s Dogma 2’s in-game graphicslooking drastically different from the live-action cutscene. This can breakDragon’s Dogma 2’s immersion immediately, and that’s a bit disappointing for a game that usually puts its immersion front and center.
On top of frequently breaking the game’s immersion,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s live-action cookingcutscene is also a bit of an issue for those who have an aversion to eating meat. While many non-meat-eaters don’t find an issue in cooking meat when it’s in a highly-stylized game,Dragon’s Dogma 2’s live-action cooking sequence is likely a step too far for some, though thankfully the scene can be skipped quite quickly.
Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s Cooking Mechanic Fits The Game Perfectly
WhileDragon’s Dogma 2’s cooking mechanic can cause a disappointing break in immersion,The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s cooking mechaniconly serves to envelop players into its world even more. Using just its in-game graphics,Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom’s cooking sequence sees players throw a handful of ingredients into a pot, and watch as they playfully dance around one another before vanishing in a puff of smoke, and giving players a unique dish.
Much like many moments inZelda: Breath of the WildandTears of the Kingdom, it’s the game’s sound design that really seals the deal during this cooking sequence. While the ingredients hop around the pot, players can hear a now-iconic series of light metallic clashes, eventually resulting in a little musical sting once the food is finished. Just like completing a puzzle or unlocking a chest,Tears of the Kingdom’s musicmakes cooking feel rewarding, and it’s all done using just the game’s graphics.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
WHERE TO PLAY
Set forth on your grand adventure, Arisen!Dragon’s Dogma is a single player, narrative driven action-RPG series that challenges the players to choose their own experience – from the appearance of their Arisen, their vocation, their party, how to approach different situations and more. Now, in this long-awaited sequel, the deep, explorable fantasy world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 awaits.On your journey, you’ll be joined by Pawns, mysterious otherworldly beings, in an adventure so unique you will feel as if accompanied by other players while on your own adventure.All of these elements are elevated further through physics technology, artificial intelligence (AI) and the latest in graphics, to create a truly immersive fantasy world in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
