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GF Rating
9
Excellent
The Nippon Ichi Franchise Continues with Disgaea!
posted by entenkatsu (DENVER, CO) Jan 25, 2007
Member since Jan 2007
5 out of 5 gamers (100%) found this review helpful
The second major game from NIS to hit the shelves and online game sites' stores, Disgaea: Hour of Darkness was even better than La Pucelle, in my opinion. Introducing a game where you play as the nefarious anti-hero Laharl, his vassal Etna, and the Angel Trainee Flonne, who battle against a trio of Earth Defenders, other demons, and ultimately, other angels, you wonder what it could hold in store. Let us find out, shall we?
Disgaea is perhaps the least serious in overall plot of the NIS games. Though it does have its dark moments, the game itself is silly and has many innuendoes (most of which are sexual). Even so, the music is great, and contains a battle system that remains unique in some aspects until its sequel came out.
Battle difficulty was far more rounded and fair than La Pucelle Tactics, but still had some difficult fights. The Geo Panal system introduces field effects, a feature similar to the Dark Portals in La Pucelle. Geo Clearing is also reminiscent of Miracles, so the two games are not completely different. With many classes to choose from, a huge variety of techniques, and endless combinations, this game is perfect for any hardcore completionist.
Overall, Disgaea earns a 9.3 on my list. It has superior gameplay to La Pucelle, though lacks the intense difficulty. Plus, its humor is sure to make at least some of us laugh.
Disgaea is perhaps the least serious in overall plot of the NIS games. Though it does have its dark moments, the game itself is silly and has many innuendoes (most of which are sexual). Even so, the music is great, and contains a battle system that remains unique in some aspects until its sequel came out.
Battle difficulty was far more rounded and fair than La Pucelle Tactics, but still had some difficult fights. The Geo Panal system introduces field effects, a feature similar to the Dark Portals in La Pucelle. Geo Clearing is also reminiscent of Miracles, so the two games are not completely different. With many classes to choose from, a huge variety of techniques, and endless combinations, this game is perfect for any hardcore completionist.
Overall, Disgaea earns a 9.3 on my list. It has superior gameplay to La Pucelle, though lacks the intense difficulty. Plus, its humor is sure to make at least some of us laugh.
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GF Rating
10
Perfect
Best-Game-Ever
posted by rpgman (HILLSBORO, OR) Apr 21, 2006
Member since Mar 2006
9 out of 10 gamers (90%) found this review helpful
Like I said--- Best Game Ever. I currently have over 300 hours on this and I still haven't completely beaten it. The depth of character leveling and multitude of menus might seem scary for the average gamer, to to a die hard RPG fan, this is heaven.
At first glance Disgaea might seem like any other RPG. Some great features unique to Disgaea include transmigration. When you reach level 9999 (That's right- 9999), you can transmigrate back to level one with a certain percentage of your skills and vastly improved base stats. You can do this even before 9999 to- the benefit just isn't as dramatic. And the best part is, you can do this with any character- not just your main one.
Next is new game+. When the main story is completed, you are given the option to start over with all of your characters the same.
So what's the point? I already beat the story. Now I'll just own all of my enemies. Wrong. The dark assembly allows you to open portals to other worlds, meaning the story is almost doubled. Like I said, I still haven't beaten the final final boss, or even the person before him/her!
Add this to one of the best stories I've ever seen (with multiple endings too), and you've got a recipe for a game that will not only keep you occupied but entertained for months to come.
At first glance Disgaea might seem like any other RPG. Some great features unique to Disgaea include transmigration. When you reach level 9999 (That's right- 9999), you can transmigrate back to level one with a certain percentage of your skills and vastly improved base stats. You can do this even before 9999 to- the benefit just isn't as dramatic. And the best part is, you can do this with any character- not just your main one.
Next is new game+. When the main story is completed, you are given the option to start over with all of your characters the same.
So what's the point? I already beat the story. Now I'll just own all of my enemies. Wrong. The dark assembly allows you to open portals to other worlds, meaning the story is almost doubled. Like I said, I still haven't beaten the final final boss, or even the person before him/her!
Add this to one of the best stories I've ever seen (with multiple endings too), and you've got a recipe for a game that will not only keep you occupied but entertained for months to come.
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GF Rating
9
Excellent
Mad + Sick Customization
posted by boneskull (PORTLAND, OR) Apr 19, 2006
Member since Feb 2005
4 out of 5 gamers (80%) found this review helpful
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness is the most customizable and complex strategy-RPG I've played. If you like to customize your weapons and characters, this game is for you. If you like to have a bazillion playable characters, this game is for you. If the choice of nearly-unlimited, unique dungeon crawling, this game is for you.
I like all of the above, but I also like to play RPGs and explore everything I can--get all the special items and secrets. Unfortunately, the complexity of this game makes it a long, slow crabwalk to become the overlord of your dreams. We're talking thousands of levels here.
The graphics are simplistic; the gameplay is simple compared to other strategy titles. The plot is kind of bonkers, but because this game is just downright funny, that's ok. The voice acting is very good. And ridiculous.
This would be one of the all-time RPG greats if not for three reasons: the quirky silliness of it, which admittedly not everyone will get. Two, there are no epic cutscenes, gorgeous backgrounds and mind-boggling battle animations. No eye candy. To say this game sacrifices style for substance is an understatement. And finally, the level of possible customization will be a turn-off for the casual gamer.
You could just advance the plot and feel like it was a waste; truly this game's strengths lie in its possibilites instead of its certainties.
I like all of the above, but I also like to play RPGs and explore everything I can--get all the special items and secrets. Unfortunately, the complexity of this game makes it a long, slow crabwalk to become the overlord of your dreams. We're talking thousands of levels here.
The graphics are simplistic; the gameplay is simple compared to other strategy titles. The plot is kind of bonkers, but because this game is just downright funny, that's ok. The voice acting is very good. And ridiculous.
This would be one of the all-time RPG greats if not for three reasons: the quirky silliness of it, which admittedly not everyone will get. Two, there are no epic cutscenes, gorgeous backgrounds and mind-boggling battle animations. No eye candy. To say this game sacrifices style for substance is an understatement. And finally, the level of possible customization will be a turn-off for the casual gamer.
You could just advance the plot and feel like it was a waste; truly this game's strengths lie in its possibilites instead of its certainties.
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