Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days – PSP – Review

Like a
hardcore strategy role-playing game enthusiast, I look forward to each
Disgaea game knowing full well that I will find not only a challenge SRPG
but also a game with a charming-yet-strange story with a good sense of humor. So
far, each Disgaea game has not disappointed and that includes the PSP
that has seen an excellent game with Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness and
even a game starring a Prinny. Once again we find ourselves thinking
strategically with Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days for the PSP.

One of the
best things about the Disgaea games is that the stories are utterly
ridiculous in the best way possible and it’s often even very funny. Dark Hero
Days is not any different, although the humorous parts aren’t as plentiful
as the console releases or even Prinny: Can I Really Be the Hero? You
see, the game introduces us to Adell, a young boy untouched by the curse that
turned everyone in his hometown into soulless monsters. He comes home in time to
see his own mother attempt to cheerfully boil her husband and two younger
children as sacrifices to summon the dark Overlord Zenon who was the Overlord
that cursed them all.

Instead of
summoning the Overlord, however, a pretty young girl named Rozalin who just so
happens to be Overlord Zenon’s only daughter. Bound by the magical summoning
spell that backfired, Rozalin must follow Adell and join him in journeying to
the Overlord Zenon’s mansion to face him once and for all. While the two bicker,
they form a friendship as a girl of privilege comes to experience all the things
she never got to experience as a pampered spawn of an evil Overlord.

Like past
Disgaea games, Dark Hero Days has a number of bizarre moments that
come in the form of the enemies you’ll face that range from turtle-like
creatures to the cute penguin-like Prinny who pull huge swords out of their
fanny-packs and call you “dood!” Strategy is still a big part of the game and,
thankfully, there are a number of tutorials that will teach you the basics
including introducing the new features as well. This isn’t the type of game you
can blindly jump into battle hoping to come out of it in one piece.

Those
familiar with turn-based strategy role-playing games will find that the main
battle mechanics haven’t changed so you will still move characters along the
battlefield grid. However, there are new features in the game such as colored
panels and Geo Symbols that – when smashed – can allow you to dish out the
optimal damage to your opponent. New to the game is the ability to pick up a
party member and throw them closer to the enemy … which certainly beats wasting
time moving the character to the very spot. The best new addition is chain
attacks where two characters can gang up on a single targeted enemy for double
the damage. The problem with this is that the enemy can chain their attacks as
well.

Early in the
game you will make use of Adell’s town, which serves as a hub for when you need
new weapons, armor, items (as well as upgrade your items) as well as the right
to purchase new songs to expand the game’s soundtrack. The town is also good to
obtain subpoenas to take down monsters that commit felonies as well as create
new characters to join your party. The character creation option allows you to
add a number of characters with skills such as thief, healer, fighter or a Red
Skull magician just to name a few classes. You can even have a Prinny in your
party. This is definitely helpful if you like a big party of characters to use
in the far more difficult battles.

There’s a
nice variety of battles in the game so you even random battles aren’t always the
same. Some battles move the story forward while other battles are fought to earn
money or upgrade items. This is good news for any strategy fan since the game
does not disappoint in providing a challenge. Believe me when I say that it’s
often Overlord Zenon’s minions that will have you sweating bullets. You’ll be
happy for features like Magichange that allows you to fuse humans and monsters
together for a stronger force to be reckoned with on the battlefield.

As far as
the visuals are concerned, Dark Hero Days looks fantastic with some
decent visual effects that would feel right at home on the PlayStation 2. The
characters, much like the opening animation, have the appearance of an anime
series and that’s a good thing … if you like anime, of course. There are some
awesome visual effects in the game and there are sight gags aplenty … especially
when the enemy is concerned.

There’s also
a great soundtrack that’s actually filled with a variety of different music
already available. On top of the fact that you can “purchase” new tunes in the
town, there’s decent voice acting in the game. The sound effects are also quite
diverse so you will want to play this one with the volume up.

Disgaea
2: Dark Hero Days
for the PSP is a sequel
worthy of being considered superior to the fantastic original and that’s saying
a lot right there. The game also manages to be just as addictive and enjoyable
as the console games in the series with new features that just add more SRPG
goodness to a series that just keeps getting stranger and more fun with each new
installment. Definitely give this one a try if you want another inventive SRPG.

Review Scoring Details for Disgaea 2: Dark Hero Days

Gameplay: 9.0
The story has a
few humorous moments that actually work well than the first game and the
characters are actually likeable enough for you to care about them during their
quest. The battles are a little more challenging with a few new moves that make
fights more interesting this time around.

Graphics: 8.0
Dark Hero Days
looks great on
the PSP widescreen and there are some excellent visual effects that look like it
comes straight out of the PS2 games in the series. The character models look
decent on the map as well.

Sound:
8.5
The soundtrack is
quite diverse so you won’t be listening to the same tune and even more so when
you can purchase more songs from the Song Merchant in certain towns. There’s
voice acting in the game and it’s not bad but not great either.

Difficulty: Medium/Hard
The real
challenge comes from the battles against the powerful monsters and enemies
you’ll meet early in the game so you will certainly be thinking each move in
this game just like in the first Disgaea game on the PSP.

Concept: 9.0
The ability to
pick up a party member and tossing them at the enemy is a lot cooler than
expected and the new Magichange feature is simply too bizarre that it makes
things very interesting. The character creation option is definitely a nice
touch so you’ll decide what character classes you want in your party.

Overall: 9.0
Dark Hero Days
is not only one
of the most enjoyable sequels with a lot to offer SRPG fans but it’s also one of
the more surprisingly fun Disgaea games to come along on the PSP. Sure,
the first game had cooler characters but this one is far more charming and
challenging in ways that will make any fan of the genre happy they picked it up.
Consider this yet another game in the franchise you will definitely want have
among your collection.