In the ever-expanding universe of video games, the diversity within genres continues to grow. This year alone has seen the release of titles spanning Napoleonic soulslikes, roguelike deck-builders, animal simulators, and epic fantasy RPGs, just to name a few. Yet, despite this impressive array of genres, today’s games often incorporate similar gameplay elements, sometimes where players might least expect. Such is the case with STALKER 2 and Dragon’s Dogma 2.
STALKER 2 takes players into a hazardous post-apocalyptic world surrounding Chornobyl, mixing survival shooter mechanics with immersive sim elements in a landscape teeming with mutants and marauders. In contrast, Dragon’s Dogma 2 plunges players into a fantasy RPG where they hunt a dragon across vast lands and navigate political complexities. Though distinctly different in their themes, narratives, settings, and gameplay, these two games unexpectedly share a unique feature.
Emergent Gameplay is the Heart of STALKER 2 and Dragon’s Dogma 2
Understanding emergent gameplay is key, as it often conjures images of immersive sims and expansive sandbox games. It typically involves unscripted events where game mechanics interact organically, creating unique experiences.
These emergent situations can be driven by either the player or the game’s AI, or sometimes a fusion of both. An example of player-driven emergent gameplay is when players devise innovative ways to achieve their goals, seen in stealth games like Hitman. For AI-driven emergent gameplay, one might witness enemy factions battling each other without any input from the player.
The STALKER series has long been synonymous with emergent gameplay, and STALKER 2 is no exception, carrying this tradition forward with gusto.
Sharing a Flavor of Emergent Gameplay
STALKER 2’s world is brimming with emergent gameplay scenarios, particularly in its complex enemy encounters. Confrontations often require strategic thinking, such as baiting foes into larger skirmishes or discreetly bypassing them. These player-led events sometimes combine with AI-led reactions, like when wildlife unpredictably joins a battle. Anomalies add to this dynamic, offering moments like catching a mutant in a sudden lightning blast just as it advances on the player.
Similarly, Dragon’s Dogma 2 masterfully blends player-led and AI-driven emergent gameplay. Battles often involve facing multiple enemy groups which occasionally turn on one another, crafting chaotic yet memorable experiences, especially when giants like cyclopes or griffins join the mêlée.
Both games utilize allied AI to further enhance emergent gameplay. In Dragon’s Dogma 2, Pawns leap into action, making decisions independently, while in STALKER 2, factions fight alongside players, risking their own lives in the process.
STALKER 2 continues to showcase the allure of historical sci-fi within gaming, demonstrating the genre’s capacity for creating engaging and unpredictable experiences. Meanwhile, Dragon’s Dogma 2 underscores its strength through a compelling mix of player choice and AI spontaneity, ensuring that players remain at the center of thrilling, unscripted confrontations.
By embracing these elements, both games not only provide distinctive gameplay experiences but also elevate the way their stories unfold, weaving together narrative and mechanics in a dance of delightful unpredictability.
