Dark Cloud
9.3
10
21
21
A fantastic, memorable experience.
Dark Cloud is an astonishing and breathtaking game, it was when it released in 2001, and it still holds up today in 2012. It would be an unorganized mess if written in just one paragraph, so this will be broken into separate points.
-Plot
Dark Cloud has a surprisingly fascinating story, even though it may seem simple and childish at face value. Along the way, you are introduced to some colorful characters that you must interact with and learn some of their story to satisfy their needs. The game, however, can take a dark turn at some points later in the game.
-Graphics
While Dark Cloud may have been a visually great game at the time, it never had the best graphics. This is not to say that the game looks bad by any means, I would not want it any other way. The game is just dated and it shows in some areas such as with draw distance, lighting water and fire effects. Every texture is well represented and looks nice in total.
-Sound
The game has an iffy soundtrack at times. The main theme and the Dran boss music are among the best music I have heard in video games, but some of the later bosses and some of the music for areas are a bit bland and sometimes repetitive. The sound is very well done, the sounds the characters make and the weapons or enemies make are all great, well timed and a great addition to the game.
-Gameplay
-Fighting
Dark Cloud doesn't necessarily have the most complex fighting system, but it fits for this game. You press X, you attack. You hold X, you do a special attack. That's mostly it. Some enemies, like most RPGs, are a certain element and certain attributes to your weapons hurt some enemies more than others. The system is very simple and repetitive, but fun.
-Dungeon Crawling
This game has a unique element to exploring it's dungeons. Every time you enter a floor of the dungeon you are in, the floor is randomly generated, a gameplay mechanic that Pokemon Mystery Dungeon utilized. Some floors do, however have a set condition, whether it be forcing you to play as a certain character or having your weapon lose experience as you use it. In dungeons, there is also an area in some floors called a back floor, which is an area you can only access with a specific item that you obtain randomly in chests. These areas have stronger enemies that give you more exp. for your weapons and also have more valuable loot.
-Weapons
In the game, you don't exactly level up your character, you do upgrade your defense through items, but all of your attack is based off of the strength of your weapon. Along the game you will naturally come across more weapons. As you use these weapons, they gain experience and can level up, increasing stats, you can increase them further by adding attachments and gems, which speed the process up significantly. Once you get it's stats to a certain point, you can build up your weapon, making it stronger and capable of surpassing the limitations your old weapon could never break. Once you level up a weapon five times, you can break it down into a synthsphere and attach it to a different weapon, giving 60% of all of that weapon's stats to the weapon you put it to. One sidepoint is that your weapons can break, and you will need to repair them before that with repair powders. If your weapon happens to break, you will revert to the weakest weapon in your inventory that can't 'break', but once it reaches the breaking point, it might as well have broken.
-Characters
Throughout the game, you will encounter certain characters that will join your party and are essential to get past obstacles your character cannot. These range from three other ranged characters and two melee characters, they all come with their own set of weapons and stats, but overall are just a tool to the game as they seldom provide any additional plot or intricacy to the situation at hand, they never appear in cutscenes out of the place where you find them, either.
-Georama & Atlamillia
Now for the most unique part of the game, Atlamillia. As you progress through dungeons, you will find floating orbs called Atlamillia. As you collect Atla, you will come back to the town you are in and notice the Georama system. This system literally lets you rebuild the town you are in from scratch. The Atla that you collect is actually the parts that you use to create the village. You find the townsfolk and they will give you their requests on what they want in their house and how they want their village to be rebuilt. Once you satisfy them, you will obtain a great reward in return.
-Verdict
Overall, this game is a gem from my childhood that still stands up today, it is one of my favorite games that I will always cherish and come back to from time to time. I love this game more than it's sequel and hope there is a third sequel in the Dark Cloud franchise because this game warrants it. 10/10.
7/23/12
great
one of my fav games i could play over and over again and never get bored i don't have the game anymore but it is still my all time fav nothing so far comes even close to Dark Cloud at all
12/29/12
Just Awesome...
This game, being as it was the first time I had seen an ACTUAL game, not like some Elmo game for 3 year olds, but When I Saw my Mom playing this game, I always wanted to play it. A Few years back (Like, 7 years ago) I got a Playstation from my friend, and the only game it came with was Dark Cloud. I remember giving up at the end boss because Ruby was weak, and later beating the game in a playthrough with my friend. Even today, I'm replaying it to the Demon Shaft's 100th floor for the 3rd time, And I Feel as its an amazing game. It may be PS2, but the game still has replay-ability. As for the sound, The characters grunting the same sound after ever attack does get annoying, but its just something that you get used to so it doesnt effect the game play that much. There's almost no need to grind, unless your looking to make your weapon into the Chronicle Sword or 7th Heaven. There's 6 different playable characters, each to help you go on with your journey. Even as a PS2 game, I Think it would still be a good idea to pick this game up. Ahhh... If only They would make a Dark Cloud 3...
12/10/12
GREAT GAME
This game is AWSOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The way the Gameplay is it's probably one of the best I ever played.
10/24/12
One of the best games I've ever played
This game rocked my world. I've played more games than I can count, from Zelda to The Elder Scrolls and this game is in the top ten of my list. At first, I thought I'd use this game to kill time since I had a bit of spare cash. The music was enticing and the characters bring you in to their world. While the characters don't actually speak in this game, it almost adds to it's charm. I would highly recommend this game to others, and I have done so. You can find this game at almost every Gamestop on the discount rack. Dark Cloud is proof that all because a game is cheap, it does not make it a bad game.
7/12/12
Freaking wonderful
This game is a treasure. It is the ps2 version of zelda. Give or take some areas. Intelligent stories, VERY emotional gameplay. And just plain fun. If you love zelda, (who doesn't) or are just a fan of intelligent rpgs, you will love this.
5/5/12
Action Rpg's Start!
This is one of the best Action Rpgs's that has ever been made. This what start it all with building your town how you wanted, build your weapons as well. Sounds like a rpg maker but with more style. The game however isn't a perfect 10. The game does suffer flaws just abit like your weapons break which you can never get back! Yes I build my sword with so much stuff and so much hours building then poof, my sword was like a piece of trash. You have to drink water to stay alive in the dungeons which goes awfully quickly. It's not a hard game at all but it does have some strategy in battle and the puzzles in the dungeons. The graphics are pretty good for an early ps2 game, the sound is good but no voices but well written. The gameplay is well like I said before it's not the best but it's fun but just watch your weapon status. Dark Cloud is not for everyone but if you are a rpg player this one is just for you. Dark Cloud is a pretty long game so it's around 40 to 45 hours.
4/22/12
dont understand the good reviews
this has to be the worst rpg ive ever played. i got bored after the first hour of gameplay and i had to push myself to even go that far. i have done reviews for plenty of games and im sorry to say this recieved the lowest score. i have played every rpg on ps 1 ps2 ps3 and even 360 god i didnt hate a game as much as this one
4/8/12
AMAZINGG
Always loved this game but finally beat it for the first time yesterday. By far one of the best RPG's ive played (and thats a lot! haha) The only thing I wish was different is you have so many wonderful characters. but do not learn much about each of them.
3/10/12
Best RPG for the Ps2 System easily
This game is wonderful. It has a very vibrant atmosphere and the story develops very nicely. The gameplay is also very fun. You will tend to get very frustrated because it's not easy, but the risk is worth the reward; remember that when playing this classic RPG
2/5/12