Capcom crafting Dragon's Dogma for 2012

Dragon's Dogma is a fantastical open-world combat game that will see players fight a whole bestiary full of mythological creatures, including goblins, griffins, and hydras. Players will lead a party of three, which, judging by an early trailer for the game, will include an archer and warrior class of some sort. Players will control their primary character while their companions engage in independent action based on their experiences.

Details were thin on the overall plot of Dragon's Dogma, other than it will concern the "epic" quest to track down and slay an infamous dragon. However, Capcom did say that the game would feature hundreds of fully voiced non-player characters.

As for gameplay, Capcom said that it would be combat focused, with an emphasis on a player's reactions to a foe's attacks. Also important will be the detail makeup of items, with weight and material playing a crucial role. The game will be based on Capcom's MT Framework and sport lighting effects and graphics similar to those seen in Lost Planet 2 and Resident Evil 5.

For more information check out GameSpot's brand-new hands-on preview.