Disgaea: Hour of Darkness (PlayStation 2, 2003)

Disgaea is exactly what a Strategy game is supposed to be. It doesn't bore you with hours upon hours of customizing your characters and/or wanzers just to survive like certain other games (hint, hint; FM4). But it's pure entertainment from start to finish.

If you don't know already, Nippon Ichi is a spectacular company. There are a few strat games that they've made recently which are all closely related. Chronologically, they are LaPucelle Tactics, Disgaea; Hour of Darkness, Phantom Brave, and Makai Kingdom.

Disgaea is HILLARIOUS!!! With every chapter like an episode of your favorite saturday-morning cartoon, you'll be laughing, grinning, and trying to contain yourself for hours on end. The voice acting is, hands-down, the best. With a delicious hanfull of over-the-top characters, and a plethora of insanely exaggerated attacks, the hits just never stop coming! Ever wonder what a prinny is? Play this game, and you'll never forget, Dood!

A great game if you're looking for something to entertain you for months. With the ability to take your characters to level 9999, this game's possibilities are endless. With many many MANY job classes to unlock, this tactical battling game will give you tons of freedom to take this game as far as you want.

Every once and awhile, a game comes around that revitalizes the gaming pool and reinvents what was once original and fresh. For console strategy RPGs (or S-RPGs), the first that comes to my mind, especially as the game that brought the genre to the forefront of gaming minds during the last generation was %%Final Fantasy Tactics%% for the PS1. Without a doubt, it was a genre defining game. For the PS2, that game was, and still is, NIS and Atlus' %%Disgaea%%. There is a reason other than short print run as to why this game goes regularly for $70-$80 for complete copies on eBay.

Within the first 30 minutes of game time, you'll be thinking at least one thing: dang this game is demented, through and through! The game opens in the Netherworld (essentially Hell, ruled by demons) with Etna, vassal to the recently deceased Overlord, King Krischivskoy, attempting to wake his son, the prince Laharl, from his 2 years' deep sleep. What's weird about that? Well, she is using just about every weapon known to man with little to no initial success. After the fighting tutorial, Laharl, Etna and a group of fanny-pack equipped, exploding when thrown penguins named Prinnies are off to rob neighboring demons and squash out any opposition to Laharl. Not how RPGs normally start the day and it couldn't feel better.

Over 2/3 of the story text is voiced (why it wasn't all voiced is beyond me - though I imagine it was budget-related), which is the only way I am forgiving the slide-show and in-game story-telling. I played through with the English voice actors (you can switch between the English and Japanese voice actors) and they more than adequately hold their own against their Japanese counterparts. The work put into the voice acting, and therefore the story-telling, really shows how much Atlus U.S.A. put into this game.

Though, with game play that I can only explain as obscenely deep, Atlus U.S.A. didn't need to put as much into this game as they did to make it a classic...nor does the addition of a crappy song by defunct pop-punk band, Tsunami Bomb, hurt it. %%Disgaea%% takes the standard concepts in S-RPGs, being grid-based, turn-based, weapons and magic battles and mixes in some not so new though well-executed ideas (such as the Formation Attack System: a tag-team, simulatious attack that can quadruple the damage), some fresh ideas (such as the Dark Assembly: a congress that, for example, gives out tests to improve your rank and allows you to try and pass beneficiary proposals) and some genre-altering elements (such as the Item World, which allows you to enter any item in the game to level it up, gain experience and effectively extends the playing time of the game to nearly infinite) to create a well-oiled, just familiar enough battle system.

%%Disgaea%% is an amazing game for fans of console S-RPGs, and if you enjoy anime and/or Japanese humor, then hot damn you are in luck! If you have a distaste for either of those, then don't let the hype bandwagon pull you in. Chances are very high you won't like this game, as there is nothing here to change your opinion of either. I know there are some of you out there that buy into hype even if it is something you don't normally like. This is a niche title, it pulls no punches in that regard, so save yourself the hassle and cost. For those who fall into the niche, if you haven't taken the ride, get on it now. You'll tell everyone at $70 that you underpaid.

If you like the classic feel of the older Final Fantasy games, You might like this game. If you loved Final Fantasy Tactics, you'll absolutely love this game. If you like an rpg with a good plot with endless twists and turns and many hours of game play, you NEED this game!

This is probably one of the best games ever made. So buy it if you're looking for a great tactical RPG.

This game is a very good strategy RPG and it lets you create characters for your own use. It also has a very good storyline, so you can the characters can make you laugh for a while. I really recommend this game for those who really like to play strategy RPG's. If you don't like strategy RPG's, then don't buy it! You're lucky to have the game since this game can't be found everywhere and I really love it!

This game by far has to be the best FF tatics type game. This game is non-stop fun because you can keep playing it after you beat it, I beat the game 15 times, each time making everything harder by using the Vote Place, Great game a MUST have!

Beautiful.Basically, Disgaea is a slick battle engine with clever extras and a ton of explorable material to play with, all wrapped in a story that is, for the first time in Atlus history, not only comprehensible to mere mortals, but also flawlessly translated into fansub-quality English (you often get better translations with fansubs, as they're usually an effort of love, than with commercial efforts) with many an idiom, pun, and plenty of anime in-jokes and spoofs. Original Japanese vocals are toggle-able as well, a pleasing nod to the Nihon-fanatics, and the English dubbing is of surprisingly good quality.

Disgeae has all the qualities of a good game. Plenty of comedy and good action to keep you interested. The storyline is funny but does have its serious moments when advancing the storyline. I liked the fact that you didn't have to go around looking for the stages. You warp to where you have to go. With multiple endings this game has plenty of replay value and never gets boring with 37 classes and six ranks in each one. Nine storyline characters with their own unique abilities also adds to the fun. The Geo Effects sets this game out from the rest. The different colored panels may have a variety of effects to add a level of strategy and with the ability to throw the Geo Symbols you can change what colors do what. You can even throw your characters and the enemies to speed up moving characters around. The fight controls feel a little sloppy compared to Disgeae 2. The Dark Assembly is harder to use than in Disgeae 2 and the Promotion Exams are annoying and hard.

Ahh... Another great strategy RPG, however, Disgaea is in a class by itself.
The battle system is simple, easy, and fun. The story is one of my biggest draws to the game. It is hillarious, interesting, and keeps the player entertained with funny and sarcastic dialogue. Depending on certain actions one takes in the game, one will get one of multiple endings to the story. If one ending isn't enough, one can play through the story using the leveled up characters to get another ending. The sprites are simple, yet detailed beautifully. You start with a basic set of characters, but you earn more through the story mode or can create new characters, ranging from mages and fighters to samurai and dragons. Disgaea's story mode is fairly challenging to beat; however, there are multiple side levels to unlock and hidden characters from other ATLUS games to defeat and use. There are innovative options. For example, the Dark Assembly is used to power up characters, unlock more levels, unlock more powerful items, or even make the enemies stronger. Another feature is the ability to pick up and throw allies (to get to certain spots) or bad guys. Maps will utilize Geo Panals that make certian spots on the map give out different effects (for example, Attack UP, Defence DOWN, EXP UP, or even Enemy Boost!) Lastly, a item world is used to level up the weapons, armor, and accessories bought or picked up to become stronger than their previous versions.

What I love about this particular RPG is that over-leveling is encouraged. If you can get your characters to Lv 9999, more power to you. The only disappointing aspect of the game lies in its rarity. Finding a copy (new or used) will be quite a monetary investment. However, after playing my friends' copies of Disgaea, I knew I wanted a hard copy of my own.

The story and system are very interesting; however, with the price of this rare game, I would suggest trying the game out first (from a VERY trusting friend) before buying it. If you do not know anyone who owns the game, rent or try the sequel, Disgaea 2, to get a feel for Disgaea 1's story and battle system. Aside from the price, I give Disgaea: Hour of Darkness a 5/5.

I bought this game the day it came out and since then i have logged over 400 hours playing this game and have yet to finish it. Not because I suck, but because of a small glitch that won't let me continue on after clearing the level. Still i play, not to finish, but just to play. One of the greatest games I've ever played. Tons of extras, well over 400 hours worth, and an unbelievably high resale value. Great storyline, very dark. A must have for any RPG/tactics fan.

all i can really say about Disgaea is its a hard game to get but it is also a hard game to play but it is fun as can be. :D

Seller got kicked off ebay right after I bought the item. Luckliy, paypal gave me a full refund. So I didnt lose any money, just time in waiting for the item to never arrive!

excellent game. i'll enjoy it for a very long time. thanks.



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game is awesome, hands down, always been one of the best tactics games out. If u liked final fantasy tactics you'll like this. Tons of classes, weapons, and accessories and endless playability. Being able to go thru the story mode and even entirely different boards thru the item world that allows u to power up your items. Its just awesome.

I was very satisfied with the short time it took to get the product, and it was in great condition. Would buy from this vendor again. Thank you.

Disgaea is a awesome game, if you like RPG or strategy games you will LOVE this game!! there is endless playing time the level cap i believe is 999,999 so basically endless opportunity to reply threw the game with different people and stronger enemy's. A MUST HAVE PSP/PS2 game!!!

I bought this guide because the game is very indepth and there is a TON of stuff that goes into it. The guide came in EXCELLENT condition adn the seller was the most helpful I have ever delt with on e-bay. They only had one picture up, so I asked if they could send me some more. I got the pics in no time. GREAT communication with seller. I have bought some other items from this seller and was very pleased. All in all, this was a great e-baying experiance. :)

I have not yet got to play this game yet. Although from what I heard from friends it is an awsome game and can't wait to play!

Disgaea is a breath of fresh air in the RPG Genre. It doesn't take itself seriously and manages to poke fun at pop culture as well as other games with grace and stay. I highly recommend this game!

I Love This Game So Much. The Only Thing I Dislike About The PS2 Very Is You CAN"T Skip The Special Attack Scenes. In My Opinion The PSP Port Is Better, Though The Game Is Very Good With Great Humor, Good Plot, And Great Characters. Customization Is Very Deep You Can Level Up Your Items, And You Yourself Can Level Up To 9999! You Can Make Generic Team Members Overall The Game Is Very Good.

One of the Best Games to have come out for the ps2. I like this game because of the RPG and well I heard there were the Prism RANGERS!! That is not the only reason why i bought the game though it is also because of the amazing hours of training i love training.

Disgaea is a tactical role playing game. Battle gameplay takes place on a map divided into a square grid. The player controls a squad of humanoid units and monsters, which each occupy a single square of the grid and do combat with a group of enemies. Depending on the character and attack selected, the player will be able to deal damage to a specific enemy unit or a designated region of the map. Combat ends when all enemy units or all of the player's units are destroyed.

It's a very great classic game : an huge Tactical-RPG. You must know this funny game.