So, I feel like I'm having a hard time getting into this one. I love the combo and special moves but so far that's all its got going. I really want to lke it. but the interface is super clunky. It makes you hit one one key to make a decision and another key to confirm it. In the same manner, Waypoints are a chore to assign and reassign and don't disappear on arrival. I can't even find the second Quest in the main quest line.

I just delieverd the Hydra head to the first big kingdom and it says I have to go to some ruins, but the markers just lead me into the castle and once I'm in its just wants me to exit.

Overall though the landscapes just feel empty. You have vast cities of courtyards, towers, and buildings with about 12 people in the entire expanse... who just spout the same nonsense over and over. Maybe I'm just being a Bethesda snob, but does this game get any better. It's not even about the people. Games can do isolated well. Dark Souls does" Empty" with sytlistic purpose. But this game just feels unfinished. Does it pick up later in the game? Do I have to particpiated in the Online elements to make this game worthwhile? Can someone at least tell me how to start the Second Main Quest Line quest?

I can't copy and past the link to the ruin quest so I will have to manually type it out.

dragonsdogma.wikia.com/wiki/the_ruins_of_heavebspeak_fort

Is that the one that is giving you issues?

And the markers, that seems strange. Can you switch the map from the local area to the world map? does it show different there?

After "Off with it's head", the hydra-head escort, the player is supposed to check the pawn guild and the everfall next. The quest marker should point to Gran Soren, as that's where both are located.
IIRC Barnaby, the guild master of the pawn guild will directly point to the door that leads there after talking to him.

I'm most of the way through my first playthrough and none of that stuff gets any better. The combat really is the best thing about this game. It continues to open up as you get access to more skills and my favorite thing so far is probably refining my takedowns of the giant monsters.

The controls are amazingly clunky if you use a keyboard and mouse. I managed to find some keybinds and macros that work for me with my Belkin n52 and Roccat Nyth. A controller would probably be easier for most things but then I wouldn't be able to snipe with my bow at all.

The quest markers are infuriating because they meander back and forth between creepy, helicopter-parent hand-holding and being vague to the point of uselessness or just outright misleading.

Most of the NPCs don't have any more character than random offline pawns. Even then, most of the NPCs with any scrap of personality are either completely 1 dimensional or schizophrenic, throwing you in the dungeon for torture one day and throwing open the doors of the treasury for you the next.

There are a few more well rounded NPCs with actual personalities and goals but many of them disappear halfway though the game, never to be seen again.

I do enjoy the fact that there are large areas of wilderness to explore, empty except for wandering monsters, but once you've seen it a couple times the restricted fast travel makes trekking through them get old pretty fast.

If you make it to the end, Bitterblack Isle makes quite a nice dungeon crawl.

Overall I think that combat and exploration are this game's strong points. The world building sets the stage for a good story but the actual writing and its integration into gameplay make it fall flat. The giant monster fights are enough to keep me interested but those requiring coherent storytelling should look elsewhere.

Also, I think you need to talk to innkeeper before the guards will let you into the Craftsman's quarter on the west side of town where you'll find the pawn guild and continue the main questline.

Got to agree here...this isn't about deep characters or a great story. This is more about unleashing hurricanes and meteor storms, oneshotting monsters bigger than yourself with a huge-ass sword and climbing giants to stab them in the eye while lighting yourself on fire. It's best enjoyed as Monster Hunter Light™, and with a controller.

The story, while serviceable and with a decent twist near the end, only serves to tie the episodes of romping around and fighting things for fun and upgrade parts together. The "expansion" area, Bitterblack Isle, is a playground for higher-level chars to fight even nastier things in confined quarters. You'll likely get frustrated by the difficulty spike if you head there too early, even though you can get there close to the beginning.

Don't fret the story too much. Get out there and start hitting things over the head(s), once you've reached Gran Soren the map is pretty much open for you to explore.

Thank so much everyone. For your thorough and thoughtful responses. I only paid $11 for it So I don't feel the need to complete it, but there is a certain charm to it that I would like to give a chance. Hopefully, It will cach on for me.

I agree with you and almost quit the game but had a change of heart after some days of playing. you will eventually get used to the complicated keybindings and mechanics of just using your spells, it will become easier. believe me. there is a mod that allows more keybindings for the clunky menu options and some combat options, (i eventually skipped this part of the mod and just used the vanilla keybindings but it may work for you). that mod also allows many other sub mods like for carry wt and stamina choices and much more. it may allow you to tailor to your comfort level. I use the no carry wt to cut out most of the obnoxious inventory management and quick mining.

all that aside, I found myself thoroughly enjoying the game. what i thought obnoxious about the quest mapping or lack of, I began to find a true adventure game, in which when you set out on a quest you have no idea how long it will take, where it is exactly and what to bring to it. makes for much rpg factor. some quests take me days of gameplay to even find the area on the map, in the meantime you are fighting for your life getting there.

what does gall are the continual respawning of the same enemies in the same area. that gets old fast, same with the oft copied 'ambush' scenarios. targeting of spells as a socerer is utterly retarded as well. pawn interference can be legendary. but bitterback isle brings much freshness to the game and for that area alone you need to stick around to level up enuf to give it a try. it is majestic in its monsters, imagery and exploration.

http://www.nexusmods.com/dragonsdogma/mods/96/?

there is no other game out there that imparts what its like to be a sorcerer in epic scale