Another newcomer to the series, I am totally addicted to this masterpiece game. This is a must buy!
When I seen that Dis3 was coming to the ps3, I was intrigued, I craved a good rpg, jrpg, or srpg for the system I just got in April. I have had my share of 3rd/1st person action adventure games, and needed an rpg. I was in gamestop and seen the game on release day. I picked it up but then returned it to the shelf. I left empty handed and felt a little hollow for that. That night I researched the game and seen the gamespot review. The score seemed low, but it was total contrast to what the reviewer was saying and how the game seemed. He praised the game and explained it good, but gave it a mediocre score? I seemed perplexed by this and went to the forums where I asked quesitons about the game. It turns out this game is very very deep. I couldn't stop thinking about this game and it seeped into my thoughts. I rushed out the next day during my lunch hour at work and picked it up so I could play when i got home. I didn't stop til 4am and started at 5pm, It has been a long time since that has happened with a game, The labor day weekend I played the game all the time, never once bored with it.
The game is a gem. The graphics are great and provide a balance and art style that is unique. The sprite characters, while not next gen, serve their purpose and make the animations fun with all the different weapons and abilities. There is so much in this game. I love the fact that it is deep, and not dumbed down for the frat-boy halo 360 masses like most rpgs cough..oblivion..cough..fable..these days. The story unlike the 1st one is throughout each battle. Its a good funny story with great sharp animations displaying at 1080p on my 24" display. The color palette is great and it really feels right. Even after you finish the lengthy story you have the post game, dark worlds, class worlds, item worlds and others to take on as well as the boss aparently when you reach level 9999, yes thats right, this is a long game with a lot of content. Everything has levels and exp. Even shops have a rank and level that goes up the more you buy. Each peice of equipment you have has a unique item world, which if you enter that piece of equipment like say your sword, you will have to fight or run your way through multiple levels and each time you advance a stage your item advances and gets stronger, so when you leave item world you can re-equip the weapon you entered and its stronger. There are special effects reprisented by specialist inside the item and you have to subdue them inside item world to manipulate the bonuses. Its like the items have a life of their own, and there are 1000's of items. The class world apparently works like this too, but I am not that far yet.
The world for the story is the demon academy in the netherworld or hell. The story is very interesting, everything that is good is bad and bad is good. You play as the number 1 honor student, but your not the honor student from studying, you are that because you never go to class and do evil things. While delinquents are the ones who study and volunteer etc.. The game has a great story and terrific voice acting. The sound work and unique quirky tracks add flair to the game. There is a lot more to this game then I mentioned. I just want people to know that even someone who never played a disgaea game before can fall in love with it. It truly is a masterpiece. If you like games like final fantasy tactics you will love this! If you like deep rpgs you will love this. If you like good story you will love this. If all your after is photo-realism and fast paced shooting then look else where, for the rest of though the game is an experience not to be missed!