In an interview with IGN, Hideaki Itsuno conveyed the perspective that if players opt for fast travel in a game, it may suggest that the overall gameplay lacks enjoyment. Itsuno emphasized the responsibility of developers to make regular travel engaging, discouraging players from seeking shortcuts.
“Just give it a try,” he said. “Travel is boring? That’s not true. It’s only an issue because your game is boring. All you have to do is make travel fun.
“That’s why you place things in the right location for players to discover, or come up with enemy appearance methods that create different experiences each time, or force players into blind situtions where they don’t know whether it’s safe or not ten meters in front of them.”
Dragon’s Dogma 2, while offering two fast travel options, introduces limitations to reduce player dependence on them. Players can teleport to Port Crystals spread across the land but are required to use rare Ferrystone items for this purpose.
Additionally, Oxcarts provide fast travel along specific routes but are susceptible to enemy ambushes during the journey. Itsuno illustrated a scenario where players, while on an oxcart, might encounter goblin blockades, compelling them to dismount and engage in battle.
Giving an example of a situation that can arise from this, Itusno explained: “While riding [an oxcart], you might find the path blocked by goblins and have no choice but to get off and join the battle.
“Then as you do, a Griffin might swoop in and destroy the entire cart with one blow, forcing you to walk the rest of the way while cursing its name.”
Scheduled for release on March 22, Dragon’s Dogma 2 will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
