Rise of the Ronin vs Dragons Dogma 2 – Which Should You Buy on March 22?

It’s always difficult to choose between two big games that are releasing, but it’s even more difficult when they’re coming out on the same day. Should you sink your teeth into Dragon’s Dogma 2, or stick to tradition with Rise of the Ronin?

Is Dragon’s Dogma 2 or Rise of the Ronin For You?

While these games couldn’t be any more different from one another, it’s still difficult to know which one you should pick — or rather, which one you should start first if you’re planning on picking them both up. Let’s see what makes each game special in their own right, and see which one is the perfect fit for you.

Why You Should Get Rise of the Ronin instead of Dragon’s Dogma 2

There are a few reasons why fans would rather pick up Rise of the Ronin rather than Dragon’s Dogma 2, and we’re here to help you figure out if this history piece is a better pick for you.

You Prefer Your Stories To Be Grounded In Reality

High fantasy is always an exciting place to be, with some of the greatest pieces of media ever made taking place in it — Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones immediately spring to mind. However, while still embued with pieces of fantasy here and there, Rise of the Ronin is more grounded in the world of reality, taking place in 19th-century Japan during the Edo period of history. Some real-life figures will be making appearances during this game, so history buffs are bound to get a smile on their face when they recognize some of these forgotten legends.

You Like Playing Multiplayer Games With Friends

While Dragon’s Dogma 2 seems like the perfect game for co-op experiences, there isn’t a semblance of multiplayer action to be seen. Rise of the Ronin — on the other hand — features a co-op multiplayer option which will allow you and your friends to experience this story together. While there may not be a PVP option for those hoping to engage in Souls-like features like Invasions, you’ll still have the time of your life exploring this massive open world with your pals.

You’re A Fan Of Traveling By Horseback

While both of these games are considerably large with open worlds to explore, Dragon’s Dogma doesn’t have much in the way of Fast Travel — there’s no option to do so in the game. Rise of the Ronin, on the other hand, gives players a horse of their own to travel along the quaint Japanese countryside with. While some players are fine with exploring the world on foot, I’m always on board to get a mount and explore the world at my leisure.

You Enjoy Team Ninja’s Previous Games

If you’ve played previous games in the Team Ninja library, such as Nioh or Wo-Long: Fallen Dynasty, Rise of the Ronin is going to be the game for you. It seems to be an evolutionary step forward for the team, combining the best of both worlds into one massive one. If you’ve been waiting for a game that features the brutal and satisfying combat of Nioh with an open-ended world that you can turn on its head, this is going to be the game for you.

You Just Really Love Samurais

Sure, Dragon’s Dogma 2 looks like it’s going to be a fantastic game by every meaning of the word, but does it feature brutal Samurai combat? No, you’ll be playing as a Knight or something similar, and that may not be your thing. Rise of the Ronin is going to be your favorite thing if you happen to love games that put these masters of their craft front and center, so get ready to dive in.

Why You Should Get Dragon’s Dogma 2 instead of Rise of the Ronin

There are a few reasons why fans would rather pick up Dragon’s Dogma 2 rather than Rise of the Ronin, and we’re here to help you figure out if this high-fantasy adventure is a better pick for you.

You Love Customizing Every Facet of Your Character

While Rise of the Ronin does feature character customization, it’s bound to pale in comparison to the best creator on the planet. Capcom is so confident in their Character Creator that they released a demo beforehand so players can make their ultimate character before the game even launches. Talk about having faith in your product, huh?

You Love High Fantasy and Everything It Entails

Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t afraid to go all out on the high-fantasy elements, bringing swords, armor, and magic together for one of the most exciting and bombastic combat systems imaginable. The combat is also fast and furious — should we expect anything less from the developer of Devil May Cry? — and every fight is bound to be filled with spectacle and excitement.

You Love Massive Setpieces You Can Interact With

One of the best parts of Dragon’s Dogma was the fact that you could take on anything you encountered, be it a massive beast or a way to creatively utilize the environment to turn the tide of the fight in your favor. It looks as if Dragon’s Dogma 2 is taking that to new heights, with enemies that would make the Colossi from Shadow of the Colossus blush due to their size. You can also break away parts of the environment during specific battles to make the battle more exciting than ever imaginable.

You Don’t Mind An Epic Single-Player Experience

As mentioned above, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a strictly single-player game. You won’t find other players navigating throughout the world here, but you can hire Pawns created by other players to follow you on your journey. That’s the most multiplayer you’re going to get out of this one, and some players prefer it that way. I know that I’m all on board with seeing the wild creations and not having to worry about getting griefed by someone else, honestly.

You Want An Old School RPG Through and Through

The original Dragon’s Dogma was notorious for a lot of things — a lack of fast travel, being a bit buggy and dated even when it was first released, among other things. However, some players, myself included, fell in love with the charm, because Dragon’s Dogma 2 isn’t afraid to be itself. It’s unabashedly unique in a variety of ways, so both new-school and old-school RPG fans have something to look forward to here.

I hope that this guide helped push you in the right direction toward which game you’re hoping to jump into first, and you can prepare yourself for anything they have to offer by checking out our Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Rise of the Ronin sections below to learn more about each game. Want to find out if Dragon’s Dogma is locked to 30FPS on console? Or do you want to find out more about the graphics options available in Rise of the Ronin? We’ve got you covered no matter which path you take.