Dragon's Dogma 2 Dark Arisen Reviews: Is It Worth Playing?

Arisen, it's time to dust off the greatsword. Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen landed on October 9, 2026, and the reviews are in: Capcom's big expansion is earning some of the best scores of the season, and Nintendo Switch 2 players are getting the whole action RPG in one package for the first time.

• Release: October 9, 2026, as an expansion on existing platforms and a standalone Nintendo Switch 2 release with the expansion bundled.
• Switch 2 price: $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK, per Nintendo Life.
• Review scores: RPGFan 95/100, Push Square 9/10, IGN 8/10, But Why Tho? 8/10, RPGamer 3.5/5.
• New content: the wintry northern region of Norgan, 12 endgame dungeon challenges and a new relic gear system.

What Are the Dark Arisen Review Scores?

Nintendo Life rounded up the early verdicts, and the tone is warm. RPGFan went all the way to 95/100, saying the DLC improves on the sequel, especially for players who felt the base game stayed too close to the original. Push Square gave it 9/10 and called it transformative. IGN and But Why Tho? both landed on 8/10, with IGN praising the new characters, enemies and ruined civilization. RPGamer's 3.5/5 notes that fans will have a great time, while players who never clicked with Dragon's Dogma 2 may not be converted.

That is a strong spread for an expansion, and it fits the series' history. The original Dark Arisen is the reason many of us fell for Dragon's Dogma in the first place.

What Does Dark Arisen Add to Dragon's Dogma 2?

Capcom detailed the content back in June, as reported by VGC. The headline additions:

• Norgan: a new northern, snowbound region, with a story that follows a mysterious woman on the trail of the Fallen Dragon.
• Lost Rites: 12 endgame dungeon challenges for players who want the game's toughest fights.
• Relics: items found through exploration and combat that can be appraised and forged into weapons and armor, some with special effects and unique skills.
• More customization: expanded character creation options.

The expansion is directed by Kento Kinoshita, who directed the original Dark Arisen and served as lead game designer on Dragon's Dogma 2. That is exactly the name you want on this project.

How Do You Start the Dark Arisen Expansion?

PC Gamer has the route. Head to The Stardrop Inn in Vernworth at night and speak to Captain Brant. Asking about the new Arisen begins the quest Chilling Tidings, which leads to Norgan. Asking about the uncovered ruins begins Lost Rites, the dungeon challenge line.

Two tips from that guide. The recommended level is 40, so newer characters should finish more of the main adventure first. And if your save is already in the endgame's Unmoored World, you will need New Game Plus; a new save-slot option creates that playthrough while keeping your level, equipment and items.

How Does It Run on Nintendo Switch 2?

Very nicely, by Nintendo Life's account. Its review describes the base game as "in excellent shape" on Switch 2, and the $49.99 release includes Dark Arisen from the start. For anyone who skipped the 2024 launch, that makes the Switch 2 version a tidy way to get a huge open-world RPG with its best content already attached.

Capcom has had quite a year on Nintendo's hardware, following Resident Evil Requiem's strong launch, and Dark Arisen keeps the streak going. Grab your pawns, pack warm clothes and go climb something enormous. More in our gaming coverage.

Sources: Nintendo Life — Round Up: The Reviews For Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen Are In — October 8, 2026; VGC — Capcom details Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen — June 25, 2026; PC Gamer — How to start Dark Arisen — October 8, 2026.