Square Enix has some serious competition
If you mention Strategy RPG to PSP owners they will probably give you one of 2 responses. Either, ?oh you mean like Final Fantasy Tactics? or ?what the **** is one of them?? Now to be fair the genre is not that popular here in the west- in it’s native Japan on the other hand it as popular as the normal RPG’s. Now the people who thought they were like FF tactics were spot on. But Square Enix are not the only people who produce these kinda games.
this game is certainly up there with the best PSP games so far
A few years back Nippon Ichi produced a ps2 strategy RPG called Disgaea. Like most games of this type, battles are turn based and take place on grid system. This allows the player to move each of his characters first and select an action for them (i.e. Fight, magic, defend or item). They move, and then perform the actions, with the enemy characters following suit. This game differs for others in that human characters can throw other characters across the map. This allows for extra tactical depth as you can access higher levels previously unavailable and to allow greater freedom of movement.
The story is based around the main character Laharl, who begins the game waking from his coffin after a 2 year sleep, to find his father, the king has died and he vows to take back the kingdom, which should now be rightfully his. Etna, one of the Castle Vassals, aids him. All the action takes place around Laharl’s castle, which acts as a hub. Within the castle you also find the item, weapon and armour shops unlike other RPG’s where these are encountered at various different points within the gameworld.
There is also a Dark Assembly within the castle, which acts like a council where characters can go to forward proposals that can aid their quests.
Disgaea also features geo panels which when activated on the battleground effect the status of certain areas. These panels are different colours and effect things such as HP and invincibility.
Disgaea: Afternoon of darkness is basically a psp port of the original ps2 game with a few extra features like a widescreen format and extra game modes. One features Etna as the main character and there is also a multiplayer mode. There are also a few extra boss battles . The graphics on the psp version are suitable clear and colourful in an anime style. The 3d characters are in keeping with the game style and the backgrounds are also functional do not hinder the camera views. The soundtrack and audio effects are impressive as ever for a Nippon Ichi game. To be fair I cannot actually find fault with this game. Although this is certainly not recommended for the casual gamer, but certainly gives you value for money. This may be a niche genre, but this game is certainly up there with the best PSP games so far.
The Bad: Tough learning curve- not exactly pick up and play!
Silver Y Award