Dragon's Dogma was a well received, albeit overshadowed, 2012 Western style JRPG from Capcom. It garnered a cult following following for it's unique gameplay, pawn system, climbing mechanics, and in depth open world. The game still continues to be popular in the current console generation thanks to it's remake. Dragon's Dogma has received a new revival of fans.
This interest has spread out to more than just gaming, with Netflix publishing it's own anime series based on the title. While the anime certainly takes it's liberties with the original source content, it places a fair share of Easter eggs for fans to revel in.
10 The Appearance of Cassardis
The appearance and layout of the starting city in Dragon's Dogma. is almost identical in the anime as it was in the videogame. As this is the first scene in the Netflix series it can be assumed that this is a nod to fans of the source content that the show will not disappoint.
9 Grigori Design
Dragons have been a staple in the fantasy genre almost since it's inception. Because of this Dragons can be interpreted and designed in many different ways. The original lore for dragons is varied and diverse, and design teams can go in any direction they wish. Luckily in the Dragon's Dogma anime, it seems the design team stayed loyal to the main dragon antagonist, Grigori's, appearance. Almost to the point where it seem he flew from the game right into the anime.
8 The Roads Of Gransys
One of the most memorable aspects for players of Dragon's Dogma was the scraggly and unruly roads that connected the different locations of the duchy of Gransys. Player's pawns would even comment on the low quality of the roads. Most fans would even agree that while the game world is just as beautiful as the games other RPG counterparts, the roads were certainly lacking, and they manage to be in the same shape in the anime.
7 Searching For Olivia
As far as game intro tutorial levels go, Dragon's Dogma has one of the most pragmatic. The game introduces the player as a knight, bravely going to slay a world ending dragon.
After this sequence finishes, the player finds themselves in a character creator, inventing a whole new character, who is then searching for his endeared Olivia, before a dragon attack. It was nice to see the anime recreate this sequence.
6 Wolves Hunt In Packs
When walking through the roads of Gransys, it is very common for the player to be attacked by a wolf. Immediately the player's pawns will warn them that "Wolves hunt in packs", followed by an attack by the entire pack. In episode 1 of the anime a very similar encounter occurs, with one lone wolf attacking Ethan's friend, and an entire pack arriving shortly after. Maybe real world videogame enemies are truly nothing to be laughed at.
5 Grigori Tower Throw
The first attack of Grigori, players get to see in the game begin with the dragon knocking a tower with his tail at the guards of Cassardis, killing the brave men. During Grigori's attack on Cassardis in the anime the dragon does the same thing, giving players of the source content a strong nod.
4 Grigori Voice Actor
The voice actor for Grigori the Dragon is the same in both the game and Netflix Anime. Outside of Dragon's Dogma David lodge has had a very extensive voice acting career in both anime and videogaming. Fans of the series are sure to see more come from this talented voice.
3 Ethan's Reactions To Pawns
First time players of Dragon's Dogma find themselves completely perplexed by the concept of pawns. While their gameplay purpose makes sense, and is in fact, very welcome, existence in the lore always seems to be confusing.
Human like, but not human, emotional, yet blindly following orders, these beings are both confusing and contradicting. It is a nice nod to players to see that the anime show runners gave Ethan the same confusion upon meeting his first pawn, Hannah.
2 First Real Threat
The first real threat that players face in Dragons Dogma following the introductory tutorial is the ogre outside of the encampment. This large and tall beast allowed players to truly exercise the games climbing based combat capabilities while also utilizing their pawn as an ally. It was good to see the Ogre introduced as an introductory threat, albeit with a much darker and deeper twist.
1 Godsbane Appearance
At the end of the anime series, without spoiling to much for fans, a very familiar weapon makes an appearance. A blade very similar to the sought after Godsbane, which players receive at the end of the game, also makes an appearance in the anime. It is good to see that while the Netflix adaption of Dragon's Dogma definitely took some of it's own liberties, it still gave old fans and players of the original franchise many prevalent shout outs.