The strategic roleplaying game genre has a tight fan base. Not many people have ever played a SRPG before, and those that have, share a strong loyalty to the genre. Atlus once again delves into the development of another SRPG in Disgaea. Atlus however took some liberties in the development of this game adding new features, a whole new concept, and of course new gameplay. What they gave us is a beautiful game throughout the board.

Disgaea is all about atmosphere. The world the designers have created is not only unique, but brilliant. In the vein of a classic B movie horror flick, the Netherworld is dark, humorous, yet colorful and melodramatic. The characters add a depth to the game I have not seen in a while. Each main character has his or her own specific zeal. While the young Dark Prince is a child trying to be as evil as a Dark Lord should be; a young vibrant Angel is trying to find love in the demon filled Netherworld. The contrast in each character creates both funny and over the top melodramatic moments. The voice acting is intentionally bad, that too adds to the B movie appeal

Character design is definitely one of a kind; leaving behind the "Knights and Wizards" classes for a stranger group of minions that involve pumpkin head wizards, and demonic clerics. The characters are in classic Atlus style with super-deformed-squished-giant-head models. The individual class appearances are some of the most one of a kind looking models you will find in a game. It's definitely inspired by "Anime Fantasy" ranging from cute to scary. Both the world that Atlus has created and its inhabitants make for an excellent game experience.

Gameplay in a SRPG is slow and tedious. Making a move needs to be thought out as you position your characters on the battle grid. Disgaea has taken the old form of turn based battle and made it team turn based. Your team makes its assignments, whether to attack, defend, or cast magic. After your assignments are done you can execute their actions. Doing so will then have your characters do what they were ordered to do. After all assignments are given and execution is done, you end your team's turn. The enemy of course then gets its turn to do the same. This goes back and forth till one team is wiped out.

Atlus has added a few new features. The ability to pick up and toss your team mates and enemies make getting from one side of the board to the other a more speedy process. The addition of combo attacks is more then welcome. Depending on where you position your characters and attack, your team mates can involve themselves in that attack making for massive damage to the enemy. While you are playing the game and figuring out where to place your characters you will be utilizing this as much as possible. Another brilliant addition to the game is the implementation of tile properties dependent on crystals that lie on a specific color. The battle grid may have areas that are of a different color. If a crystal that gives the property of invulnerability is on a red square, then all the red square spots on the battle grid will have the property of invulnerability. Of c ourse you may toss these crystals on different colors depending on where your team is. This feature alone adds a complexity that you can either utilize of overlook by simply destroying these crystals. The crystals themselves can add good or bad benefits, sometimes helping enemy troops only. These of course you want to destroy, it adds a depth to the battle system not seen before.

Disgaea is truly a brilliant gem in video games. While many people will compare it to the high profile (at least for SRPGS) Final Fantasy Tactics; Disgaea is a game that can stand on its own. This is yet another excellent game by a company whose team knows how to make a strategic roleplaying game. Not only would I recommend this game to anyone, I would also say that if you have never played a SRPG before to at least give Disgaea a shot. I cannot stress enough that a gamer must have patience in order to play this game. Even myself at times will turn the game off due to the length of a single battle, but I will always come back to forward the story, and build up my characters. Great game, great concept, go out and get it.

Oct 14, 2003 | 2 comments
Mike Carabajal