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Plot Synopsis

No plot synopsis or other information available for Disgaea

Story & Playability

One of Disgaea's strengths is it's great characters and story telling. The story itself is a different take on what RPGs are used to, giving what we see as the antagonist the lead role. Prince Laharl, to-be king of the netherworld. The first scene of the game instantly throws you into the quirky humor that is disgaea. When you're not laughing at the overall humorous diolouge, you're wrapped into a more intense story as you uncover more of the truth about the netherworld, Laharl, and his vassals. By the end, depending on how you play, you get a different ending. Casual gamers may not enjoy a half-hearted ending, but hardcore gamers will appreciate what they get in the end.
The only bad side to the story is you're in over your head and loving the complex things you're getting involved with...
And you see you're on the last episode.
The quick resolve is very dissapointing, to say the least, but it does tie up the odds and ends. A longer story would've been more impressive, and Atlus had the potential to make it one. The only other issue with something like that is getting a worse ending, and you may leave disgaea confused. The story tends to favor hardcore players in getting what you want.

Rating

7 (above average)

Graphics

Sadly, Disgaea lacks when it comes to looks. The game itself has a very basic, PSX look. What saves a little, but not much, is the anime pictures during talking scenes. The game overall looks pretty terrible, for the times. I personally don't mind the terrible graphics because I'm too busy thinking up of what to do next.

The art itself (drawn characters) are well done. The game itself tends to remind me of halloween sometimes, and that was neat. Character range from demonic creatures to pumpkin heads to humans to even cat people. It has a lot of variety when it comes to different things you can see. The art saves it, but like I said, the graphics are terrible. Though I can turn a blind eye to them, they're still there, so this rating suffers big time.

Rating

3 (poor)

Sound

The voices were excellent. The dub quiality was all done to perfection, the voice actors portraying their characters well.
Mostly, you won't see a variety in music when it comes to basic maps/exploring. You get one song for the castle, two for item world (a different one plays for every tenth floor only) and the story maps generally stick to safely said three songs.
The soundtrack sees it's variety in boss fights and story sequences. It's here we see the true strength of the music.

The other memorable thing about Disgaea's soundtrack was the featured song "The invasion from within" by Tsunami Bomb. It fits the mood of the game well, and you hear it rarely, just enough. Good touch.

Rating

6 (average)

Fun

Disgaea itself is an SRPG, or a strategy role-playing game. The basis of combat is turn-based, pitting characters upon panels on a map. On your phase, you may deploy up to 9 characters from your base panel and move them as they wish.
Character creation is very original and works well, the idea of really "Creating" your character via the dark assembly.
The dark assembly is also another great game feature, giving you slowly the power to manipulate the politics of the underworld.
Item world also gave another fine edge to Disgaea, a way to level up your items and make them more powerful, as well as get "residents" that raise certain parameters of weapons to further empower them.
I've already stressed the humor of the game. There is also a fine balance between humorous/serious scenes to advance the story, it doesn't get boring at all.
The last feature is the level 9999 limit, which is crazy at first, but if you play your cards right, it's possible.
The other option is transmigration, or starting a character at level 1 and changing their base stats to promote better growth.
Many unique and outstanding features are within Disgaea.
Overall, Disgaea's main strength falls in this category.
The only downfall is the battle system sees little variety beyond simply overpowering your enemies.
Any SRPG gamer would get their money's worth out of Disgaea. If you need a good story, it's there. If you want memorable characters, it's also there. Or if you just want to create a character that has the capability of being level 9999, you got it.
Disgaea gives anyone the power to be a god to those who search. It's a keeper.

Rating

8 (good)

Final Verdict

6.50 (above average)

Reviewed by Yodelforcookie, 3y 33wk ago