Used to be, you could get called ‘gay’ for anything. It didn’t need to mean homosexuality, or even that you were particularly effeminate (or butch, depending on your gender). It just meant you were doing something ‘wrong’. You were a loser. You need to finish your homework? Gay. You listen to any music that isn’t Eminem? Gay. You prefer Pepsi? Gay. Thankfully, these days are behind us. Homosexuality is more socially accepted and celebrated than it was in the ’90s when it seemed like everyone was dropping gay cards. Calling someone ‘gay’ even for something as gay as kissing another boy or girl (again, cross out where appropriate) is way more of a loser move than finishing your homework ever was. But withDragon’s Dogma 2,Capcomis busting out the ‘classics’.
I’m playing Dragon’s Dogma 2 as a female beastren, and my party of pawns thus far has consisted entirely of human (or elfish) women - most notably my early favourite, Fern. And alsothe gazillion Daenerys Targaryens in the game. And since the pawns are always chirping about something or other, the topic comes up occasionally. “I have noticed something. The pawns in this party are women all!,” one of them says. Juniper, my main pawn, then replies with one of two things. Firstly, commenting on our invocations, she will say, “And yet no two of us are alike!”. But secondly, and a little pointedly, she may say, “Perhaps this says something about our Master’s preferences!”
They also sometimes remark with intrigue of Arisens who favour all beastren pawns and like, babes. I’m right here.
The first time I heard this, I thought it was pretty funny. Yeah, Juniper, you got me. It’s the same reason my main party inBaldur’s Gate 3was Karlach, Lae’zel, and Shadowheart. Sure, they worked well mechanically with a mix of melee damage, area control, damaging spells, healing, and tanking, but mainly, I picked the women all because it says something about the Master’s preferences. My most used squad inMass Effect 2? Jack and Miranda.Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth? Aerith and Tifa.
My Girl Squads
The game doesn’t say ‘sexual’ or ‘romantic’ preference, just preference. And it’s true, I do prefer female characters - they tend to have more interesting designs, and there are typically fewer of them, so I make an effort to hunt them down. These points may be linked - because female characters are not the default, which may push more creative character design to the forefront. It’s funny to think of my pawns running around chanting, ‘Let’s go lesbians!’ and it’s the sort of goofy pawn quip that makes Dragon’s Dogma so engaging. But only if you can take a joke.
The opposite situation has also happened, andpeople are getting mad at the game for pointing out the truth. If you choose only male pawns, the same line (men all/Master’s preference) appears. Once more, it’s true. Nothing sexual or romantic has been mentioned, and if you have four characters (five including the Arisen) all labelled ‘masculine’ in a 50/50 character with ‘feminine’ as the other option, then you probably do prefer the company of men.
While parties with all female pawns see this as a cute zinger, men feel the game is telling them they are gay for running around with four muscular men who call them ‘Master’ and catch them in their strong, safe arms whenever they fall. There is an easy solution to stopping this - just take a woman with you. There are four slots available and plenty of female pawns. With how in-depth the character creator is, you could pick a female pawn that looks androgynous or even like aPokemonif appearance matters. If you are completely against ever having a woman travelling in your party under any circumstances, then yeah, it might be fair to say you prefer men. Remember, you’re the one projecting a sexual implication onto the comment, not the game.
This should not be a great sacrifice - one of the earliest leg armours you unlock has knee high socks, bikini bottoms, and nothing else. If you’re apoplectic at the conclusions you’ve jumped to that Capcom thinks you listen to the Cabaret soundtrack while watching Drag Race, but also refuse to talk to beautiful scantily clad ladies, I’m not sure what you want? To run around in a field with men all day and all night with nobody asking weird questions about it?
Pawns comment on all sorts of things in Dragon’s Dogma 2 and are a reflection of how you play the game - whether that means tackling huge beasts, spending the night in gaol, or preferring the company of men. If you don’t like what it’s telling you, maybe it’s time to take a look in the mirror.
Dragon’s Dogma 2
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Dragon’s Dogma is the long-anticipated sequel to Capcom’s action RPG. Once again taking on the role of the Arisen, the game promises full customisation in how you create your character and play through your story.
