User Rating: 3.9 | Dark Cloud PS2
When I fist saw this game, I thought to myself...finally, Sony's answer to Zelda, as many are led to believe. Although, soon after you take it home and actually start playing it you realize this game isn't even in the same ballpark as the Zelda franchise. The graphics, while good, are not breath taking, but they are good enough to keep you entertained for at least about a half an hour or so. Sadly this is the high point of the game. Although, I will give level 5 its props when designing the geo...whatever system. It's unique but not very well executed. Thats pretty much the whole theme for the game, not well executed. Now for the bad...this list will be pretty long so hang with me. Let me start off by saying that the whole randomized dungeon thing is not what a rpg/action game needs. Part of the fun of Zelda was that you got some satisfaction out of solving different levels, and smirking when your friend is having trouble getting past the level all the while you know how to beat it. Although being able to beat the levels isn't that difficult with this game. Which leads me to my next point. There is absolutely no, and I repeat, no challenge in any of game's levels. You walk aimlessly through incredibly dull caves just trying to find the key that will allow you to get to the next level while looking for parts to peice together the world. I mean come on, at least hide the stupid Altma or whatever so there is some chanllenge in finding them, instead they're just sitting out in the open. I seriously think that this game should be aimed towards younger people....say under 8....and mentally handicapped people....say like my brother. Duck Hunt is more challenging than this game. Then there is the whole thirst thing. How ridiculous is that. I'm all for adding depth to a game but stupid ideas like these just make the game annoying. Now let me get to the dumbest part of the game. Weapon hit points, yet another innovative feature that completely sucks ass when trying to implement it into the game. I mean, there is no balance whatsoever. Go into a dungeon kill stupid enemies and repair you sword. It gets to the point where you have to repair you weapon every 10 minutes, and eventually you'll get to a point where you run out of that wonderful "repair powder", and have virtually no way of getting any more of it unless you spend 10 hours playing old levels in order to have enough money to buy some from that stupid merchant, a and again repeat the process 20 minutes later when again, you run out of repair powder. All in all, this game sucks for all but the very simple minded, very, very simple minded. This one belongs in the bargin bin. Thank you for your time.
