Z.H.P rocks!!! But remember. . . YOU suck!!! Read on for a detailed explanation. . .
Z.H.P Unlosing Ranger Vs. Darkdeath Evilman. . . As the name might imply, this game is smothered in comical absurdity, which fans of the Disgaea series might reminisce. But under the clever jolly facepaint lies a well co-ordinated enchanting, occasionally thought-provoking delight of a game, coupled with some moral lessons, so DO NOT take this game lightly. This game is ALOT of fun particularly for RPG fanatics and Disgaea veterans(like me), but also shines in its own light with its peculiar gameplay.
{NEW Stuff}:
1. An odd cycle of continuous loss and revival, but which is the base of leveling up.
2. Unlike Disgaea, you control one and only one character during gameplay.
3. Unlike its predecessor, this games does not concentrate intently on strategy, but rather contains elements of adventure; where you venture deeper into levels of dungeons, although it retains the familiar system of weapons, items and special abilities
{Graphics}:
Similarly to Disgaea, Nippon Ichi obviously doesn't put much thought into the game's graphical performance. If you've seen Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness for instance, you'll know what this game looks like.
{Story}:
The Story was somewhat gripping for me and full of giggles too. Without getting too much into details, it's basically the last battle that decides the fate of the Earth between the evil Darkdeath Evilman and the Earth's only hope the Unlosing Ranger. The Unlosing Ranger is late for his date with destiny and sprints over to where his arch-nemesis is waiting, but forgetting to look both sides before crossing the street, he dies with the help of a speedy truck that leaves him lying down in front of a regular, wimpy-looking bystander. Guess who that is? He gives you the Unlosing Ranger's belt to take his place and you have to fight the aforementioned battle yourself now. . . but you'll have to get through a whole lotta training first considering how Darkdeath Evilman can cream you easily with your current strength. . .
{Gameplay}:
"This game has only one battle sequence. Thank you for your understanding.
However, it will be a huge, epic battle! Thank you for your understanding."
This is a quote from the intro of the game, which pretty much sums up the game's base system of gameplay. Keeping in mind that you are a complete loser, you will face the game's villain Darkdeath Evilman quite a number of times (in every chapter) and lose everytime, losing all of your money, equipment and items including your level of experience. This will also happen in regular dungeons when you die, where you will lose all of your stuff and whatever level you've gained will revert back to zero, but that level of experience that you lose will be be added to your "Total Level". This way, your death will award you with experience AND teach you to accept defeat for a greater purpose. And trust me you WILL die alot. I have effectively mastered Disgaea AoD and became a pwning veteran of Nippon Ichi's games, yet I still have trouble with these cursed dungeons, and that difficulty only serves to make you stronger and push you to the limits of your potential to work harder, and strive to save the world!!! You also have a health meter and EN meter, which the game describes as your "fullness"; which is at a 100% at first and decreases by 1% every 5 steps you take, and that rate of decrease gets higher if you equip two weapons at a time or if you're carrying something or someone on top of your head. There are millions of other gaming mechanics that this game hosts but that's for me to know and you to find out. :)
{Sound/Music}:
The soundtracks are pretty good and moment-compatible. . . as in they fit perfectly, especially in cutscenes, with the current situation or bubbling emotion.
{Ultimate Conclusion}:
~ Fun Meter = 9/10 (RPG fans will get a thrill out of it)
~ "Newcomer's" Fun Meter = 6/10 (Suck at RPGs? Prefer only raw, complication-free fun? Won't like it so much. . .)
~ Will it EVER be an acknowledged game?
= Heck, Brendan Sinclair has it for Game of the Year. :P
~ Should I get this game?
= Definitely, especially if you enjoyed Disgaea before. . .
OVERALL Score = 9/10
Z.H.P boasts a bizzarely entertaining type of gameplay you won't see anywhere else, coupled with a great unpredictably dramatic story and a humourous cast of interesting characters, not to mention you can have all that on the go! It's an absolute blast! Just be sure to like RPGs and weird stuff, not to mention the heart for it and bearing constant loss. . .
Slyfox, Over and Out. . . . . . .
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