Disgaea 2I promised myself I wouldnt buy another NIS game. Aside from La Pucelle, I had bought every ps2 NIS game and ended up playing at most halfway through and then promptly quitting. However as two of my friends bombarded me with all the cool stuff in Disgaea 2, I quickly broke down, trading in a few games and walking away with NIS game. Damnit.
My shame aside, its an awesome game. Its more of what I loved with what I believe to be a tighter story laced together with a hilarious mythos generated by both the original Disgaea and Makai Kingdom. All the cameos are entertaining, but the game never depends on them to present snappy dialogue and a fun story.
The battle-system is great, as usual. I would have probably preferred Phantom Braves battle system. While Phantom Brave's story is utter sappy trash, the battle system was something to conquer.
I'm only a few hours in, I plan to play this one all throughout the RPG marathon which I have just recently begun. I have no other RPG like it so it shouldnt conflict if I play every third spot.
Wild Arms 4About halfway through this game. Some of the boss battles have actually required some thought. Some were downright cheesy, but in all, Raquel prevails. I dunno what the deal is with her character, I mean they had to have run this game through some sort of balance testing. She's insane. I mean there was this one boss where my entire party was dead, Raquel was down to 200 hp, and the boss had half a life bar. I figured I had lost, and was just pressing the x button while I looked over at my other monitor, and I look back and the boss is fucking dead. I couldnt believe it.
I mean she crits for 12000 damage, can CHAIN intrude, which so far i've maxed at 3 intrudes which gets her 5 turns to whack things with her sword, its insane. What's hilarious are her special moves dont do nearly the damage her normal sword attack does.
The characters make this game. The story is Gundam Wing Endless Waltz Redux with some kids thrown into the mix. How can you have peace without war, that usual crap. There's a lot going on in the background and a lot of political talk but most of it is pretty basic and as a result may be relevant, but not incredibly interesting. The characters on the other hand are charming, for the most part. There are a few reallllly sappy parts, but most of the time its good time fun. Still a ways to go before the end, but I think this one should wrap up pretty easy.
Also, this game has a TOWER dungeon, and you guys all know how well that turns out haha. I was spitting blood at this platforming sequence. I would have broke the disc in half if they were stupid enough to put random encounters in the demanding platform areas, but they didnt. Phew.
Grandia IIIThis game has grown on me, lots. The story is rehash anime japanese 'warmth' 'spread wings' all that bullshit, but like WA4 its saved by charactarization and unlike WA4, one of the best battle systems around. Grinding has never been so fun, making new mana eggs, juggling spells and skills, upgrading your special attacks, orchestrating combo attacks mid battle, its all there, and its fuck awesome. I still can't fathom why people hate Grandia III so much. Its EASILY better than Grandia II, and the sacred cow of the original Grandia is largely propped up by this insane nostalgia for the old school.
While the story is rehash, it has proven more compelling than Wild Arms 4 simply because it has that tinge of the epic which everyone wants these days. Everything seems dire and rushed and we're all running around to save something bigger than ourselves. It actually provides a nice contrast to WA4's story where the goals of the characters are much more focused on the characters themselves. In Grandia III they just sorta seem to be carried by the world events.
All of that being said this game offers some of the more stunning RPG visuals on the ol PS2, and until I see VP: Silmera running on my system at the end of this month I doubt this opinion will change. Im well into disc 2 now and grinding away to make sure the bosses dont catch me off guard again.
I do recommend if you get into this game you find a spot and grind, cause you'll need it. The boss fights that ARE in this game are a challenge. Additionally you will want the practice with the battle system. Maximizing Special Attacks, Timing, and the various combos is essential to win. Levels dont get you everything.
Next in the RPG Queue:
Suikoden V
Atelier Iris 2
