Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen is a paid expansion from Capcom, and it launched on October 9, 2026. However, US players unlocked it on the evening of October 8. The DLC costs $29.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam, and you need the base game to run it. Meanwhile, Nintendo Switch 2 gets Dragon’s Dogma 2 for the first time, with the expansion included. So far, reviews are mostly strong, ranging from 3.5/5 to 95/100.
Summary: Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen
- Release: October 9, 2026 on PC (Steam), PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
- Price: $29.99 for the DLC, or $49.99 for a bundle with the base game.
- New content: the snowy region of Norgan, a new ally named Eir and 12 Lost Rites dungeon challenges.
- Reviews: RPGFan 95/100, Push Square 9/10, IGN 8/10, RPGamer 3.5/5.
- PC minimum: Core i5-8500 or Ryzen 5 3500, 16 GB RAM, GTX 1660 or RX 5500 XT, Windows 11.
Release Date and Launch Times
Capcom gives October 9, 2026 as the release date for every platform. However, the date confuses many US players, because the unlock happens on the evening of October 8 local time. For example, AltChar’s launch breakdown lists these times for Steam and Xbox:
| City | Unlock time |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 5:00 PM PDT, October 8 |
| New York | 8:00 PM EDT, October 8 |
| London | 1:00 AM BST, October 9 |
| Berlin | 2:00 AM CEST, October 9 |
| Tokyo / Seoul | 9:00 AM JST / KST, October 9 |
In fact, all of those times mark the same moment, midnight UTC on October 9. Because it is already October 9, the expansion is live everywhere. Likewise, the Steam page lists October 8, which matches the same unlock seen from the Americas.
The name also trips people up. Dark Arisen was the 2013 expansion for the first Dragon’s Dogma. This release, however, is a new expansion for the 2024 sequel, not a re-release.
Platforms, Price and Editions
You have two ways to buy it, depending on your platform.
| Version | Platforms | US price |
|---|---|---|
| Dark Arisen expansion (DLC) | PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam | $29.99 |
| Dark Arisen bundle (base game plus expansion) | Switch 2, and other platforms | $49.99 |
On Switch 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2 arrives for the first time, and that version contains both the base game and Dark Arisen. If you already own the game on PC or console, however, the $29.99 DLC is the one to get.
In addition, the PS5 listing shows a pre-order bonus, the Norgan Fashion Set (Northern Attire), and says Capcom may sell it separately later. The same listing also warns that the DLC doesn’t work without the base game, so update to the latest patch first.
What happened to the Deluxe Edition
Capcom pulled the Dragon’s Dogma 2 Deluxe Edition and several microtransaction packs from sale on June 25, 2026. For instance, Rift Crystal bundles, Wakestones and Portcrystals all left the store. Capcom said anything you already own still works, and it announced a permanent price cut for the base game. Unfortunately, I couldn’t confirm the new base game price, so check your store before you buy.
What’s New in the Dark Arisen Expansion
The official PS Store listing splits the new content into three parts.
Norgan. This long-abandoned snowy region sits in the north. There, you team up with Eir, who wants to uncover the secrets of the undying Fallen Dragon. Along the way, you dig up and appraise forgotten relics to unlock new weapons and skills.
Lost Rites. Capcom adds twelve dungeon challenges across the existing map. They hold rare equipment from past Arisen, and they test you against the Pathfinder’s trials. Likewise, PC Gamer calls them 12 new endgame dungeons.
Character creator options. You also get new hairstyles and tattoos for your Arisen and your Pawns.
Besides the expansion, Capcom changed the base game before launch. First, a June patch added a reusable Eternal Ferrystone for easier fast travel. Then Capcom announced an end-of-August update with better frame rates and more save slots. These changes apply whether or not you buy the expansion.
How to Start Dark Arisen
This part trips up many players, so follow these steps:
- First, reach Vernworth, which you can get to fairly early in the main story.
- Then go to The Stardrop Inn at night and speak to Captain Brant.
- Next, pick “About the new Arisen…” to start the Chilling Tidings quest and head to Norgan.
- Alternatively, pick “About the uncovered ruins…” to start Lost Rites and take on the 12 dungeons.
I recommends level 40 for Norgan and the new content. Still, you can go earlier, and dungeon difficulty varies.
Common mistake: if you’ve reached the Unmoored World section of the story, you can’t start the DLC until New Game+. Fortunately, you don’t have to finish the game again. According to PC Gamer, you open “Change save slot”, then hold X on a controller or Shift on keyboard to create a New Game+ playthrough from your save. As a result, you keep your level, gear and items, while quest progress resets. However, you lose access to your current save for that character, so keep a backup slot if you care about it.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen Review Scores
This is a critics round-up, not our own review. Overall, scores are mostly positive. Stevivor’s summary of the Nintendo Life round-up gives these:
| Outlet | Score |
|---|---|
| RPGFan | 95/100 |
| Push Square | 9/10 |
| IGN | 8/10 |
| But Why Tho | 8/10 |
| RPGamer | 3.5/5 |
RPGFan says fans who found the sequel too samey will probably like the improvements. Similarly, Push Square calls it a transformative piece of DLC and praises the story, exploration and combat. IGN highlights the new characters, colorful enemies and the ruins of a lost civilization. On the other hand, But Why Tho notes that the base game’s weakest parts still weigh on the experience.
RPGamer gives the coolest score at 3.5/5. It says Dragon’s Dogma 2 fans will find plenty to enjoy, but players who never clicked with the base game may not change their minds.
In addition, Vice’s review says the new region took around 30 hours to beat, and it praises the improved fast travel and the loot system. However, treat that figure as one critic’s time, not an official length.
The pattern is clear: Capcom aimed this expansion at people already invested in Dragon’s Dogma 2.
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen System Requirements
Playnews lists these PC minimums from the Steam page, and they call for Windows 11:
| Component | Minimum |
|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-8500 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 |
| RAM | 16 GB |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1660 or Radeon RX 5500 XT, 8 GB video memory |
| Ray tracing | RTX 2080 Ti or RX 6800 |
| Storage | SSD recommended |
Unfortunately, I didn’t find an official recommended spec. Therefore, check the Steam page for updates.
Download size. AltChar reports about 17 GB on PS5, where it installs with Title Update 04.000.000, and roughly 67 to 70 GB on Xbox Series X|S and PC. Also, preloading opened on October 7, so if you preloaded, you can skip the wait.
Should You Buy It?
| If you… | Then |
|---|---|
| Loved Dragon’s Dogma 2 | Buy the $29.99 DLC, since the reviews are strongest for you. |
| Own it but never finished it | Reach Vernworth first, because you can start early. |
| Have no console version yet | Get the Switch 2 version, which includes everything. |
| Bounced off the base game | Wait, since RPGamer’s score suggests it may not change your mind. |
| Play on a lower-end PC | Check the GPU requirement and the ray-tracing note first. |
Conclusion
Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen adds Norgan, 12 Lost Rites dungeons and new character options for $29.99, or comes bundled on Switch 2 for $49.99. Overall, critics are mostly positive, but the praise comes mainly from fans of the base game. Therefore, if you’re already invested, start at Vernworth, aim for level 40 and check your New Game+ situation before you begin. Everything here is accurate as of October 9, 2026, but patches or price changes may follow.
FAQs
When did Dragon’s Dogma 2 Dark Arisen come out?
It launched on October 9, 2026. However, US players unlocked it on the evening of October 8.
How much is the Dark Arisen DLC?
The expansion costs $29.99 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Steam. In contrast, the bundle with the base game costs $49.99.
Do I need Dragon’s Dogma 2 to play Dark Arisen?
Yes, the DLC requires the base game. The exception is Switch 2, where the version includes both.
Is Dark Arisen the same as the first game’s expansion?
No. It shares the name, but it is a new expansion for the 2024 sequel.
What level should I be for Norgan?
I recommends level 40. Still, you can enter earlier.
Can I play it on PS4 or Xbox One?
Based on current information, no. The platforms are PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S and Switch 2.
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