Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen

Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen is an unique approach to western cRPG done by Capcom. It mixes a classic action RPG style with unique elements of fighting (space oriented battle with monsters, various strategies for DD enemies), interesting pseudo online-mode (based on recruiting other people's main support NPCs and renting your own) and a linear story with a mix of unusual themes as well as 'less is more' themes. Other reviews praising the game point out it's strong sides. For a lot of people new or experienced with the game the rental system is a source of joy that someone found your Pawn useful or that they felt generous towards your Pawn/you and sent you some powerful items. However the GoG version has a bugged Pawn rental system that will never let you experience the joy of 'online pawn rental' aspect of the game. Because of the bug you don't get: Rift Crystals (kind of special in game currency) and any equipment or parting gift given to your pawn by the player renting them. This issues was known for several years and GoG still hasn't fixed it (you can find info about that in the game forum). So if you are committed to playing the game in pure offline mode only (you get default Pawns accessible there) then you may try the GoG version. But if you want to experience DDDA in full I advise to purchase it elsewhere where there is a working Pawn rental system.

The pawn issue is something inherent to the online nature of Dragons Dogma. Meaning, if you want the pawn, rental, system to work correctly you need the steam version. But if you just want to play the damn game without the weeb´s need to enjoy a game with some rental/pawn online system, the GOG version does indeed work as intended and equal to the steam version. It´s just, as always, that the online functionality has been cut down or eliminated with GOG. If you want a drm free singleplayer only experience of this, this is fine. Last two patches were regarding the online nature only. Whoever reads this in 10 years when capcom shut down the servers, don´t worry, no one gives a shite anyway. Games have to be enjoyed singleplayer, there shouldn´t be a relianceon a online rental/pawn system in the first place. Just classic stupid japanese MMO neurotics in action. Ignore it, enjoy the game offline. it´s fine.

Played this religiously when it came out, probably one of the best rpg's out there. It's long, it's creative and there's a lot of different setups and classes you can choose to cater to your needs, not to mention hundreds of different enemies and a gripping plot. This is a pc port and they've done an incredible job on it - it's constant 60fps and runs extremely well.

The GOG release of this never got some of the final patches the Steam version got in 2016, and lacks the high-res texture pack and the pawn sharing system. The GOG release is abandoned and incomplete, and shame on Capcom for still selling it anyway.

I am sorry to tell GOG's version of this fantastic game is not up to date. Renting pawns is a crucial feat of this game, but there is an issue with servers that Capcom managed to solve with the Steam version, but doesn't seem to care dealing with here on GOG. I've played this game for four months now, enjoying it immensely, but always wondering if my pawn really sucked so much that no one ever rented it. Now I know someone maybe did, but I never received any message nor reward because of this issue. And the reward in Rift Crystals becomes very important in the late game. You can still rent pawns of other people, yet it feels like playing offline. Again, I'm sorry, but I bought the game on Steam few minutes ago and will keep on playing there. My faith in GOG was really kicked hard because of this. I'm still giving two stars because the game is great. Other reviews describe it well enough, but I felt I had to warn you on this issue in particular. Not being able to receive Rift Crystals from your pawn being rented is bad, and you won't have the satisfaction of receiving comments from other players. Buying it here on GOG you'll be playing a good game, but just not the way it was meant to be.