Difficulty:

Easy

Time Spent:

10 Hours or Less

The Bottom Line:

"Disappointing"

First, to be fair, I haven't completed this game. In fact, I've only completed the first 5 chapters or so, and some optional content. Despite some amazing aspects of the game, some of it was so ridiculously bad, that I simply could not continue playing.

I heard/read so much good about this game that when I saw it used for cheap, I had to pick it up, despite never playing the first one. But I was already a little disappointed, as the back of the box clearly revealed that the graphics were done in anime styling, which is childish and unappealing.

Getting it home, I popped it in and began to play.

Graphics: 7.0

The graphics are a bit subpar, but most points lost here are due to the heavily anime inspired animation. Still, not all that bad, even for a PS2 game.

Battle System and Gameplay: 10.0

This is where Disgaea 2 really shines. The tactical combat and diversity of troops at your disposal is absolutely amazing. The item worlds make for a spectacular way to spend time if you don't feel like progressing the story. And the idea of passing laws through a hellish senate (either through votes, or persuading them by force if you're strong enough). Even Final Fantasy Tactics can't match Disgaea 2 in this category

Music: N/A

Music is unimportant

Storyline and Characters: 0.5/10

Whereas the gameplay is amazing, the storytelling is unbearable. I understand that it is meant to be a parody of RPG cliches and such, but it does it terribly.

Good parody should be smart, witty, and subtle. Disgaea 2 slaps you in the face with its attempts at it, accompanied by a loud proclamation of "PARODY LOLZ!!!"

Even taking it as straight humor, rather than parody, injected into an SRPG, it simply isn't funny. Its corny. Not corny in a good way either (there is a difference).

The characters and their dialogue was obviously the beast of burden used to convey this, but the characters were completely unlikeable and unmemorable. The manner in which each new chapter/level was unveiled became tired and dull quite fast as well.

Girl (to hero): we should go here to find my dad
Hero: OK
Girl (to self): LOLZ I R A TRICKSY RABBIT

Replayability: 5.0

Obviously the gameplay gives much incentive to play again and again, yet the drivel that makes up the plot is a perfect foil to the gameplay. If you're willing to ignore the storyline (of if you simply have a terrible sense of humor or enjoy bad writing) you may find that this game has much to offer in terms of replayability. If you cannot ignore it, you will find it nigh impossible to ever touch again.

Overall: 4.5

This is probably not a perfect average. I didn't do the math, but I generally don't do my overalls mathematically. Instead, its just an overall intangible impression of the game. And in this case, it isn't good.