Skill Up ·Oct 8, 2026 ·20 min

Austin strongly recommends: 'Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen' (Review)

Evaluation and Summary

2.5/10

This is a 20-minute video review from Skill Up (Austin) recommending Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen. The episode frames Dark Arisen as a definitive, more complete version of Dragon's Dogma 2—similar to how the first game's Dark Arisen expansion improved the original. Austin's core argument is that this expanded edition 'fully showcases the potential of this unique action RPG,' positioning it as the version players should experience. The review carries a strong recommendation ("Austin strongly recommends" in the title). The show notes emphasize that Dark Arisen delivers a 'better, more complete vision' of the game, suggesting improvements to content, balance, or features over the base release. No specific gameplay details, mechanics, story additions, or concrete improvements are outlined in the available material. The episode is sponsored by Squarespace, with a standard affiliate link included. Austin promotes his broader content ecosystem: a website (thisweekinvideogames.com) offering ad-free coverage, a Spotify podcast feed, and a Steam curator page. The show notes list numerous other recent reviews (Gears of War E-Day, Ace Combat 8, Control Resonant, etc.), establishing context that this is part of an active, prolific review channel. No guest appearances or interviews are mentioned. The framing suggests this is a straightforward video review rather than a discussion or deep-dive format.

Verdict: A straightforward recommendation video with minimal detail in available materials; impossible to assess depth, substance, or unique insights from show notes alone.

Leisure rubric

Enthusiast depth n/a

No details provided about Dragon's Dogma 2 mechanics, systems, combat depth, or what makes it unique; cannot assess expertise from show notes alone.
Useful tips or discoveries n/a

No concrete tips, recommendations, or specific improvements listed; show notes only state it's 'better' without elaborating.
Fun to listen to n/a

No audio samples, tone, or personality details available in show notes to judge listenability.
Substance 1/5 33%

Show notes offer only a vague endorsement ('better, more complete vision') with zero specific content, mechanics, story details, or substantive analysis.
Delivers on its title 3/5 33%

Title promises a strong recommendation of Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen, and the show notes confirm Austin recommends it, but lack detail on what the review actually covers.
Value for time 2/5 33%

20 minutes is moderate length for a game review, but without knowing the depth of analysis or pacing, and given the thin show notes, likely padded relative to actionable content.

How we score Leisure

Worth it if you're a Dragon's Dogma 2 fan deciding whether to buy Dark Arisen and trust Austin's review judgment.

Content flags

Sponsored Squarespace sponsor read and affiliate link included at the top.

#game review #action rpg #dragons dogma #capcom #expansion

Based on the episode description. AI-generated; it can be wrong.

Show notes

Thanks to Squarespace for sponsoring the video. If you want to set up your own website (and get a discount while doing it), hit this link for more info: http://www.squarespace.com/skillup. -- Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen is, much like the first Dark Arisen overhaul, a better, more complete vision for the game; one that fully showcases the potential of this unique action RPG. #Review #DragonsDogma2 #Capcom Visit our website https://www.thisweekinvideogames.com for ad-free, ai-free, clickbait-free games coverage. Sign up for free, or become a supporter for access to exclusive content like features, expert columns, newsletters and an ad-free version of the weekly news show. Thanks for supporting the work we do. -- You can find all the Skill Up content (reviews, previews, This Week in Videogames & The Friends Per Second Podcast over on Spotify, where you can listen ad-free if you're a Spotify premium subscriber: https://open.spotify.com/show/2w3Injyqj2VoxOxQg6ESbl?si=b651261f52c24e58 -- BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/skillup.bsky.social Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skillupyt/?hl=en -- Check out my curator page on steam: https://store.steampowered.com/curator/28625128-Skill-Up-Curates.../ -- Recent vids: Gears of War E-Day review: https://youtu.be/I8C2mdX7G2w Please play Ace Combat 8: https://youtu.be/h4nbrRTCNdg Control Resonant review: https://youtu.be/Spde2L1Xve0 Marvel's Wolverine review: https://youtu.be/YhUiptupV7A Onimusha: Way of the Sword review: https://youtu.be/VK4FwpKMBho Star Wars Zero Company review: https://youtu.be/Zgh3clLpBUk Halo Campaign Evolved review: https://youtu.be/BimFTtjezsw 007 First Light review: https://youtu.be/v_jXOcIwZAY Forza Horizon 6 review: https://youtu.be/QSKy5VqhBK8 Pragmata review: https://youtu.be/6n84HC57zEU Crimson Desert review: https://youtu.be/SHyO4W76b6E Resident Evil Requiem review: https://youtu.be/klmkwsoC46I?si=AE532L0G_N4aXneG Arc Raiders review: https://youtu.be/wXB9flDrIXs Dispatch review: https://youtu.be/TyWU33qspwE The Outer Worlds 2 review: https://youtu.be/PzcPyEYlyA0 Hades II review: https://youtu.be/L2BGd3x5gP4 Silent Hill f review: https://youtu.be/PBW3NH7OaXM Donkey Kong Bananza Review: https://youtu.be/0E2T-Ne9N5Q Death Stranding 2 review: https://youtu.be/UxMJ5WAp1gY Clair Obscur Expedition 33 - The Making of a Masterpiece https://youtu.be/mXLOLgC2V2Q Doom: The Dark Ages review: https://youtu.be/6CNivLBwLkM Assassin's Creed Shadows review: https://youtu.be/gdWyGurnSbU Split Fiction review: https://youtu.be/hajChij56Xo Kingdom Come Deliverance II review: https://youtu.be/_wFHtqKYMaM Avowed review: https://youtu.be/yxnyOmJzg_0 Dragon Age: The Veilguard review: https://youtu.be/QF-Kd2BBpx8 Silent Hill 2 review: https://youtu.be/dBoU9SNFw9w Warhammer 40,000 Space Marine 2 review: https://youtu.be/OZ6ur9NOkpE Star Wars Outlaws review: https://youtu.be/sKo1owZzYcs Concord review (RIP): https://youtu.be/vRrWp_MVAxU Final Fantasy VII Rebirth review: https://youtu.be/_LaI5Knv4wM Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League review: https://youtu.be/reQKHNg0jh8 The Day Before - A Scam To Remember: https://youtu.be/tdQXfXm8rjg Cyberpunk 2077: Phantom Liberty review: https://youtu.be/QNKS3vkGAag Final Fantasy XVI review: https://youtu.be/PzfUardkloY The Lord of the Rings: Gollum review: https://youtu.be/E21qSEyRa88 The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom review: https://youtu.be/BQFImTqvW8E Redfall review: https://youtu.be/YTpFvYbDuqA Resident Evil 4 Remake Review: https://youtu.be/iIXQ3sospSo God of War Ragnarok review: https://youtu.be/QdqMpAV1A1s Saints Row review: https://youtu.be/T-hsMkWHMLU Elden Ring review: https://youtu.be/gfcJv3oZNcc

Episode page