As printed in The Northern Light newspaper
Sept. 12, 2006
Although “Disgaea 2” is a sequel, no knowledge of the first game is really needed; the story starts with new characters and story. The game belongs to a small subgenre of role-playing games often called tactical or strategy RPGs.
Tactics games are more like super chess – they are turn-based and played on a grid, with certain movement, attack and defense values for each character. This game allows for hundreds of possible characters, with any 10 of them brought onto any stage. In this game, items as well as characters can be leveled up. The Item World adds up to 100 randomly-generated levels for each item one can ever acquire, and each completed level raises the item’s power. Because exits are every 10 levels and players can’t revive any of their 10 chosen characters who might have fallen in battle between levels, Item World is more challenging than the game’s main story.
“Disgaea 2” has quirky characters and a unique sense of humor, but the sprite-based characters and somewhat clunky camera view make the game feel dated.
Good tactical RPGs are a rarity, and lovers of the genre could spend many, many hours playing “Disgaea 2,” especially if they haven’t already experienced the game’s features in the original “Disgaea.” Those who don’t get excited just hearing about item leveling probably won’t enjoy this game.
“Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories” ★ ★ ★ ½
Nippon Ichi Software
Release date: Aug. 31, 2006
Genres: Strategy RPG
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