The release of Dragon’s Dogma 2 triggered a storm of opinions.
Critics generally praised it, with review scores reflecting a solid sequel, but players were far more divided.
Some long-time fans adored the combat and depth of Itsuno’s systems, while others felt the game cut corners and failed to expand meaningfully on the first.
Following his exit from Capcom, Hideaki Itsuno clarified in a major interview that the game’s polarizing reception was planned.
What Did Itsuno Mean by Saying It Wasn’t a Nintendo Game?
Itsuno explained that Dragon’s Dogma 2 wasn’t designed to chase mass-market appeal.
He explained that, unlike Nintendo’s philosophy, his approach was to avoid building something aimed at every type of player.
He chose to build a world and gameplay loop tailored to fans who appreciate the Dogma series’ unique systems, quirks, and challenges.
According to him, it’s natural that people outside that target group would bounce off the game, and he considers that part of the design rather than a flaw.
What Made Itsuno Decide to Walk Away From Capcom?
Itsuno’s comments came with a career change, as he left Capcom shortly after the game’s release, following three decades of shaping Dragon’s Dogma and Devil May Cry.
He admitted he didn’t want to spend his remaining years making sequels to franchises he’d already defined. Instead, he went on to join Tencent’s Lightspeed Studios Japan as director of a new AAA action game.
Calling it his “last chance,” Itsuno stressed that the shrinking number of big-budget original games in the industry made this opportunity one he couldn’t pass up.
Why Is the Game Seen as One of the Most Divisive RPGs of Its Time?
Dragon’s Dogma 2 has ended up as one of the most polarizing RPGs of this generation, with many feeling that its flaws wasted a decade of anticipation.
Still, it brought back the familiar action-RPG battles that define the franchise, holding players’ attention for countless hours.
Itsuno may be proud of sticking to his vision, but his remarks have only widened the gap between his intent and the expectations of the broader player base.
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