bit-tech Shopping: Atlus Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PS2)

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Year

Strengths: Funny and cool character. Catchy music. Japanese voice acting. Multiple endings.

Weaknesses: Graphics could have been better

Summary: Disgaea has a warped sense of humor and cool characters that make it great but is definitely a game geared for fans of the strategy RPG. Fans of this genre have no problem constantly levelling up characters to inflict massive amounts of damage. In addition to levelling up characters, items can also be levelled up as well explaining how one can spend 300+ hours playing this game. If you like a strategy RPG with quirky characters and a funny story, then you should pick up this game. You will not regret this purchase.

Rating: 6

Time with product:

Strengths: Decent battle system, odd and enjoyable storyline

Weaknesses: Not much in the way of strategy, despite all of it's gameplay options.

Summary: Disgaea is an insanely popular strategy rpg from Atlus. It's the best selling title in the company's history and I was ecstatic to find a copy cheap last year. The good news is that Disgaea looks good (I actually liked the graphics for the most part) and that it contains a hefty amount of micro management. The bad news is that only hardcore fans of the game will likely stick around to see it's conclusion as the game forces you to compete in a lot of battle that just seem...pointless. They don't continue the story in any way and just serve as filler. The geek factor will skyrocket once you figure out that you will be gaining levels far higher than most other strategy rpgs. The only question is if you have the time and patience to build your characters?

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Years

Strengths: Deep, deep strategy, dozens of options, hundreds of hours of gameplay

Weaknesses: May be TOO deep for some

Summary: Strategy RPGs are some hard games to review, because for the most part they appeal solely to a very niche group of hardcore gamers. Disgaea is no exception, with its levels upon levels of minute details that all need to be understood at an insane level, hidden complexities that reveal themselves over time, and so many options on what you can do you are almost afraid to do anything. While these may sound like complaints, in this genre, there can really be no higher praise. Strategy gamers are a picky lot, who demand a lot from their games. Disgaea delivers in spades. Highly recommended.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Whacky Japanese humor, clever dialogue, unique features.

Weaknesses: Graphics are bland, even for 2D. Gameplay is a bit shallow.

Summary: If strategy RPGs, i.e. Final Fantasy Tactics, aren't your cup of tea, then stop reading this now. But if you enjoy zaniness with a healthy helping of crazy, or just want to try something different, read on.Disgaea begins with the king of the underworld awakening. Surprisingly, that's the only cliché you'll see in this game; your mission isn't to stop him. In fact, you are him. Laharl tries to rule the underworld with his not-so-trusty sidekick, Etna, and a party of penguins.Confused yet? The gameplay is even more weird. At first glance, the gameplay seems like that of any strategy RPG, with characters attacking by ranged or melee means, casting magic, using special abilities, and such. It's more than that, though, with characters tossing each other to reach higher grounds, or teaming up to do combos on enemies. Admittedly, the game has its faults in the gameplay itself. The gameplay requires little strategy and your party always has the initiative. The computer is also horribly predictable, always going after your weakest characters and sometimes not moving until you move in close enough.Item World lets you make your items stronger. Not only do you level characters, but you level your items by going inside them. If you win the battle, your item will get stronger. As your items get stronger, the battles get harder, so make sure to save your game often.Another interesting feature of Disgaea is the Dark Assembly, which acts like Congress. You'll try to convince them to pass laws. Those who are opposed to your requests can be bribed or beaten into agreeing.Disgaea is for gamers looking for something different and those who don't like to take their games too seriously. If that's you, run - don't walk - and pick up this game now.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 3 Weeks

Strengths: Fun Gameply! Very Deep & Interesting storyline! Clocking over 80+ Hours of Gameply!

Weaknesses: A bit Hard to find! Very Expensive!

Summary: Disgaea: Hour of Darkness! Published by Atlus! A true strategy RPG that is hard to pass by! I been palying this for 80+ hour any I must be about 75% through the game! Still Playing the same battle 3-4 times is just as much fun as the 1st! How many games can you say that about! Pros: Wonderful animation! Great gameply! Interesting Storyline! Music Soundtrack that matches games like Xenogears! Cons: None... Beside it quite hard to find! and it goes around $100 on auction! Overall: 5 OUTTA 5... A True Gem to have!