Rich developed RPG that engages in a new meaning of "Dark" to the RPG genre. One phrase to describe DDS: Demented Soul.
Main theme in DDS is that of emotion and the resilience of character it brings to the characters of DDS. A woman gains her womanhood. A man who possesses a black heart engages in the emotions of love. A hungry human transforms into a devil and consumes his fellow comrades. DDS portrays all of heaven and hells commandments and sins.
Gameplay of the game is pretty simple in terms of turn based RPGs. Attack, Defend, Heal, and transform are basically all of your commands. Switch characters and what not. The player is also able to combine spells and actions to create combos. Some of these combos even include humanXbeast, beastXbeast....and so on. In order to level up your mantra (beasts level and abilities), you need to consume other devils and beings that were once or are still human.
Sound of the game is just as every RPG except DDS music fits the theme of the "dark and unemotional" entity. As the story progresses, the music tends to switch keys in a way that hits that this character's mood is changing or their is a renowned reveleation (FMV's in the game). Fits the mood, and does its job. However, at times, the normal music and battle music become repetitive. But still, it does its job.
The artwork and design of DDS fits its niche really well. The artwork is quite original, but still fits its image of what the game was during is SNES and *** RPG styles of its past. All of the characters drawn since the start have a type of pale and unemotional sense to their look. As the story progresses, the player notices that there appearance and demeanor changes as the game progresses. Monsters are designed quite uniquely unlike other RPGs of the PS2 console. Each monster/boss has a significant tie to some world culture, lore, or mythology (however, most are of the japanese lore category).
DDS pretty much is one solid, original, and quite forlorn RPG. It's well designed battle system, artwork, and story will be well appreciated by any player (a first timer to the RPG scene even to the hardcore niche player). One of the PS2's best RPGs released and it should not be missed.