It seems to me that strategy games these days focus on die-hard thinking strategy. While there is nothing wrong with the thinking function, what about the feeling part? What if I want to play through the game using a particular type of units? Or balanced party of ranged, close and air units? Or even a generalist party? What if I want to take the time to build up my units and then strike a strong blow at the main storyline? How I play and the strategies I develop are just as important as having the proper tools for the situation. I should be able to solve problems MY WAY. Or the game should at least encourage me to be flexible in my thinking. I have recently been playing a strategy role-playing game that lets you build your party however you would like. This game is Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days.
Disgaea 2 follows a young human named Adell. In fact, he’s the only human in the village; an overlord known as Zenon cursed everyone into demons. And they’re losing more of their humanity day after day. They have no conscious and no shame and are only bound by contracts (it’s the only rule they follow). So Adell’s mom, a potent summoner, decides to summon Zenon for her son to kill. Unfortunately, Zenon doesn’t come for a stroll. Instead, they get Rozalin, Zenon’s only daughter. The two protagonists form an uneasy alliance as Adell begins his adventure to save his family and village from permanent monsterhood.
This makes it sound like a downright dead-serious game. But, Disgaea 2 is really a hilarious misadventure! Jokes abound, ranging from slapstick humor to puns and fast-paced references to pop culture. And how is a perverted frog not funny? There are two problems, though. First, the two protagonists (Adell and Rozalin) are not very interesting. Nor are they that funny. There is something wrong when two of the lower-ranked characters are funnier and more interesting than the main characters. Second, Disgaea 2 has the problem of deciding when to show and when to tell. The game prefers to tell you what has happening. Why can’t it SHOW me? Scenes would be even funnier if they would take place on the map instead of just showing pictures of the characters.
Instead of nonstop action gameplay, Disgaea 2 is a classic turn-based strategy. The heroes and their party take their turns, and then the enemy has its turn. Characters can counterattack (if their class allows it) and can even counter-counterattack if they are lucky. There are geo panels that may have certain bonuses, ranging from EXP, HL (“hell” is the currency of the game), defense and attack. They may also have bonuses that affect the enemy, such as making them three-times stronger! But by destroying the geo blocks (sometimes they move around), those bonuses may be removed and damage the enemy at the same time! It is also the best method for filling the bonus gauge, which allows bonus items, money and experience.
But by far the greatest lure of Disgaea 2 is the ability to customize your party. By using the mana your characters have collected by destroying enemies, you can create characters. These range from the usual fighters to skull mages to healers to the monsters the party has destroyed. Yeah, even the monsters are fair game. This is by far the greatest joy of Disgaea 2 — creating the party however you like. If you prefer magic, create mages. Have them be apprentices of Adell and Rozalin (or any other character), and they’ll be able to master their spells. As your party masters the various classes, more become unlocked.
But there is one little problem: More potent classes require you to go to the Dark Assembly (an evil law-making body) to unlock them. The nice thing about the original Disgaea was that if you did not want to touch part of the game, you were not forced into it. You were encouraged to take advantage of it but not forced. It was something that expanded the value of the game. The Dark Assembly is just as volatile as the original, if not more so.
Weapons-based skills are also available and are earned through weapon use. Each weapon has its strengths and weaknesses. Bows allow great distances between foes but inflict status effects over heavy damage. Axes are slow but lower defense. Guns are fast hitters and lower speed. Staves, while completely useless on their own, power-up spells. This makes magic classes even more potent. Furthermore, each class responds best to certain weapons. But if you really wish it, the mages can fight with axes. The warriors can fight with bows. Thieves can fight with staves. The only difference is how quickly the character picks up the specific weapon skills.
Graphically, Disgaea 2 has this low-fi, indie, high resolution of yesteryear. These are old-school graphics. This game doesn’t push the limits of the PSP. Heck, it does not even push the limits of the PlayStation 2. However, unlike games of yore, every little combat action is seen. Weapons twirl in the air when spells are cast. Ice, fire, wind and star all have flashy effects. Geo panels are clearly defined, and characters move well. Furthermore, the game exudes an odd sense of charm. It’s weird to explain. I look at it and play it, and I cannot help but feel connected to it. The downside is that there is nothing to distinguish the party from the enemy. Not even minor cosmetic differences. Another odd aspect of the engine is that whenever it is revived from standby, it loads up. Unlike every other game I’ve played, the action starts up and the sound effects catch up. This is not the case. The extra few seconds loading the game erases this disconnect.
Sound in Disgaea 2 is pleasant to listen to. Music ranges from something that has “escaped” from a music box to upbeat pop. It really emphasizes how the game is supposed to be “fun,” not scary. The various weapons have solid sounds behind them, such as the slashing of swords and the bursts of gunfire. What truly takes the cake in Disgaea 2 is the top-notch and hilarious voice acting. It not only helps sell its story, but it also nails the jokes perfectly. It even helps the “looser” jokes come together. You’ll definitely miss out if you hit the mute button!
When everything comes together, Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days is one of the best strategy RPGs out there. I love the fact that the game lets me play how I like. If I feel like killing demons with all magic users, I can do that. Are parts of the game going to be more difficult for me because of my play style? Absolutely. However, some parts are going to be easier because of that style. Furthermore, I can endlessly power-up my team (no, thank you item world attendent!), follow the main storyline and occasionally indulge in the Dark Assembly. It’s just pure icing that the entire game is now portable. For $30, Disgaea 2 is a steal. If you own a PSP, there is no reason not to get this game.
