Published in 2024, Dragon’s Dogma 2 is the sequel to a game that was overlooked in France when it first came out in 2012. It was later released in its full version with its only downloadable content, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen, in 2013. For the first expansion of Dragon’s Dogma 2, Capcom decided to reuse the name Dark Arisen, 13 years after the original. This expansion sends players to Norgan, an abandoned and remote area near Vermund, the main continent in Dragon’s Dogma 2. Once part of the kingdom, Norgan was left to decay, and now strange occurrences are reported there. A new rebel has appeared, and many accounts confirm this. Mysterious events are unfolding in the ruins of a castle, prompting an investigation into the kingdom’s forgotten history to uncover the source of its evil and save the world. The Dark Arisen expansion is not available at the start or end of Dragon’s Dogma 2, but rather during a New Game+ at level 73, allowing players to reach level 114. The difficulty of Dark Arisen contributes to fast leveling, but even with the best gear from the base game, players found it challenging to deal damage. They needed to acquire new equipment suited for the harsh environment. A "Difficult" mode has also been added for experienced players. Players spent about thirty hours exploring the expansion, with many areas remaining unexplored. The Dark Arisen expansion introduces a system for analyzing relics, which can provide rewards such as potions, spellbooks, weapons, and armor. These relics vary in appearance, properties, and abilities, offering both active and passive benefits. The hallmark of Dragon’s Dogma games is the call for adventure, exploration, and discovery. Norgan is filled with mysteries and lost relics, with secret passages and hidden treasures often found by chance or through overlooked targets. The combat system has been enhanced with new features, although new skills are limited to one per class and must be obtained through obelisks. Weapons and armor from relics can allow players to unlock new versions of basic skills, with level EX skills being more powerful or faster. These skills are essential, especially when combined with complementary abilities, turning the player into a formidable force in battle. Norgan is a hostile land plagued by powerful monsters and a semi-permanent cold, requiring special armor or items to avoid losing stamina and fainting. The landscapes are visually appealing but become repetitive due to constant storms and harsh weather. New features like climbing hooks and snow heaps that cushion falls enhance the exploration experience. The expansion also introduces 12 new dungeons called the Forgotten Trials, accessible from Vermund or Battahl, offering unique rewards. Some dungeons require specific conditions, such as light equipment or only one pawn. Once completed, they can be replayed infinitely, offering new rewards and enemies. The expansion goes beyond being a simple addition to the base game, introducing new territory, creatures, relics, dungeons, and a fresh storyline. The exploration remains rewarding and encourages detours, although environmental repetition and limited new skills are noted. Despite these drawbacks, Dark Arisen stands out as a generous and challenging extension that effectively renews the experience of Dragon’s Dogma 2.