Dark Cloud

"Very Unique Game that is Very Fun!"

Dark Cloud is considered by some people to be a lot like the Zelda series. At first I had to agree, but after playing this game it is really quite different, and I have to say I liked what Dark Cloud brought to the table. It is definitely and RPG Sony should be proud of because they did a magnificent job. Read how this game scores below:

GRAPHICS:9

They were good for the most part. I do think that they could have been a little better because it is Play Station 2, but I'm not a guy who cares about graphics as much. They float my boat, and most of the characters are very well done. Toan (the main guy) does look a lot like Link, but he is different. A lot of the weapons in this game are well done too.

SOUND:8

The music in most of the levels are very well done. Most level I can think of I thought the music was excellent. I give the music a 10. The reason the sound gets an 8 is because I was disappointed there was no talking in this game. I was hoping to see characters talk in this game. Unfortunately it did not happen. It's all right though because the whole format of the game is good, and with all the desicion making Toan makes, and the question he asks it might be better like this maybe. All I know is that I love when there is talking in a game. It makes It a lot better to me. But in this games case, It's fine. The music though is phenomenal, and I was very impressed. Every level had very catchy themes.

GAMEPLAY:10

This is were this game is excellent. The weapon system in this game is very good, even though it is difficult to learn. The learning curve for this game has to be a few days because you are going to be wondering what the heck you did to build up your weapons. It's a very good system, and Sony took a different path which was very good. Even if you might not understand this weapon system at first, you will learn and respect it very much. The whole fighting style is a lot like the Legend of Zelda series. You defeated enemies in a level, find a key and go to the next floor. On each floor there are chest containing items, weapons and things to help you progress through the game. The best part about this game to me is the Geroma. If you do not know what this is, it is where you receive something called atla in a dungeon. This atla contains part of a village you must restore. When you add all of the atla together to complete for an example a house, you will have the actual building, the person inside, and a few of their belongings to complete it. You also get to make the whole village yourself how you want it. You have to put the villagers were they want, but you can construct it yourself. You will like this feature because It Is creative, and Sony should be congratulated on taking a chance on this. Very well done!

STORY:9

A general named Flag who is power hungry releases a Genie from a sealed a Urn, and together they destroy the world. It's up to a survivor in his village to put the world back together with the atla I discussed earlier. You then will put the towns back together at your will, and will also go through dungeons to get the atla, and build up weapons to make Toan, and his friends stronger. It is fun!

CHALLENGE:9

It can be hard at times. If you do not have a weapon at a high enough power, or your weapon breaks because you don't repair it, the game can get frustrating. You must keep going through the game getting helpful items, and try to beat up on the enemies lurking in each level. All you need to do is take your time, and get everything before going on to get powered up as high as possible.

REPLAY:7

I still haven't beat it the first time, but you might play it again. One thing about this game is that it does get a little boring sometimes. You have to keep your head up, and keep playing. This game will easily take you 70 hours one time through so replaying through this game will not be likely for some while it will for others.

BUY/RENT:RENT

I suggest you rent this game before you buy It to see if It It Is right for you. If you like this game, and think you like the system, buy the game because you will be happy with it, If you think the whole system is confusing than stay away from it because the whole game will not make since to you. It deserves at least a rent from any gamer who likes any genre.

OVERALL:9

I give this game a 9, and is close to being perfect is some spots, but some little things bring it down. This game was a lot better than I thought It would be and It was $50 well spent on my part. Any RPG's with a little courage to try something different should pick this up because it will be a good addition to your collection.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 08/18/01, Updated 08/18/01