GameCentral went hands-on with two upcoming Capcom releases: the 2.5D platformer Mega Man: Dual Override and the fantasy RPG expansion Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen. Both games offer distinct experiences, with Mega Man delivering brutal difficulty and Dragon's Dogma providing a snowy adventure.
Mega Man: Dual Override hands-on
The demo for Mega Man: Dual Override took place in a vibrant robot convention, featuring enemies like bots firing missiles, buzzing insectoids, and malfunctioning fireworks. The game is classically tough, with enemies respawning after you exit and re-enter the screen, demanding pixel-perfect platforming. The returning arm cannon still only shoots left and right, requiring players to put themselves in harm's way to land shots.
The 'dual override' feature introduces special abilities activated with the right shoulder button, such as the Jet Stinger, which gives Mega Man F-16-like wings and a rapid stream of projectiles, and the Mega Buster, a souped-up variant that fires a screen-filling plasma ball. With nine specials total, players have freedom to forge their own strategy. Bosses are jarringly difficult, including Big Press Don, a giant hydraulic press, and Twinkle Girl, a K-Pop idol with Cuphead-level vexation. Capcom let fans design bosses in a competition with over 10,000 entries.
Before each stage, players can select a custom chip, such as a shield or faster special recharge, offering alternate approaches. The game releases in 2027 for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen hands-on
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen requires the 2025 base game and takes players to Norgan, a snowy wasteland with fierce wolves, hostile tribes, and giant mammoths. The goal is to bring peace to the Northern realm. The new area includes interactive moments, such as rolling snow chunks down hills to create wrecking balls and knocking loose ice shards onto opponents. There are numerous side quests and 12 new dungeon challenges containing relics, which unlock powerful weapons and gear when appraised at settlements. Dozens of new hairstyles, tattoos, and clothing options are also available.
During the demo, the pawns (AI-controlled allies) helped against a new boss – an undead dragon with rotting skin and visible bones, who summons zombie hordes. Climbing its scaly hide and targeting limbs to cut them off is a returning delight. The expansion's spectacle is just as impressive as the base game.
Dragon's Dogma 2: Dark Arisen releases on 9th October 2026 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC, priced at £44.99.
