Dragon's Dogma Preview
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Combat is a pretty frantic affair, with each character having their own specialities. The character we're given control of is an archer and dagger-wielding combatant; we don't get much use of the bow in these tight caverns, but the daggers prove a versatile weapon. Constant banter flows back and forth between the companions, and though our time with the game is too brief to get a taste for their characters, it certainly feels lively and natural. The Chimera, when it eventually emerges, takes some defeating, and the battle is close-fought, if a bit of a test of endurance, like many of the Monster Hunter encounters can be. At least here you get to see a health bar for the monster.
The other part we get to see is yet more impressive. The Gryphon circles above a grassy plain so vast it would make Hyrule Field blush, and its packed with all those delicious MT Framework details - swaying grass and gorgeous lighting being two of the standouts. This time the archery proves extremely handy, given that the Gryphon has a habit of flying off when its in danger. Hurting the beast is a tricky affair; its two quick for arrows to be all that effective, so its necessary to either bring it to the ground - or clamber on it when you have the chance, Shadow of the Collossus-style. Bringing it to the ground involves getting your mage companion to case a flaming arrow spell on you, setting the poor beast alight in order to bring it crashing to the floor.
