Today as part of IGN First, Capcom decided to showcase more about the monstrous grinning Sphinx, a hidden encounter that will be making its appearance in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Fans who have played Dragon’s Dogma Online may have known about the Sphinx, but to many, it will be the first time this ominous creature ever shows up.
This particular monster never appeared in the first game but was one of the creatures roaming about in Dragon’s Dogma Online, an MMORPG never released outside of Japan.
That said, even if you have fought the Sphinx in Dragon’s Dogma Online, the encounter will be vastly different in the much-anticipated sequel because it will be taking on a rather special role.
Along with the gameplay showcase, IGN had a deep-dive interview with Game Director Hideaki Itsuno and Lead Game Designer Kento Kinoshita, where it was noted that Sphinx, much like its mythological inspiration, will ask players riddles to solve.
Riddle Me This
You see, in its lair lies five treasure chests, each one tied to a riddle that you would have to solve to unlock them but rather than a simple question-to-answer response, you solve them through action.
“I wanted players to solve the Sphinx’s riddles, but through action, as this is an action game,” said Hideaki Itsuno.
“We came up with lots of ideas for riddles solved through action gameplay.”
In IGN’s example, you may have to dive deep into a dangerous cave and hunt for a specific item, it could be very well-hidden, or it can literally be in plain sight.
To put it simply, you have to find a specific item that satisfies the conditions of the riddle, and you only get one shot at each riddle, or else, the Sphinx will lock you out of the rewards.
“It’s so creepy that it causes you to think that you’re really in a battle of wits against it,” added Kento Kinoshita.
The Sphinx Itself is a Riddle
If you are not into solving riddles, you can, of course, choose violence to deal with the Sphinx.
However, you may have to rethink your decision because the Sphinx is not going to let you mindlessly beat on it and will bring up many tools up its sleeves… or wings.
As Hideaki Itsuno would put it, “Whether or not you can defeat or even fight the Sphinx is a riddle too.”
“We’d like that to be a part of the fun players have dealing with the Sphinx and its riddles.”
Hidden Encounter
“The journey to finding it might actually be the biggest mystery of all.”
Yes, the Sphinx is an extremely well-hidden creature in the world of Dragon’s Dogma 2 and Hideaki Itsuno believes that many players may not even encounter it even after beating the game.
“We made a lot that players don’t necessarily need to find, but will be increasingly moved if they do find it.”
“That’s the key. If there are parts of the game that you don’t have to discover, you can beat it without finding them.”