Dark Cloud - Review

Review Breakdown
Battle System	9
Interface	10
Music & Sound	10
Originality	9
Story	6
Localization	10
Replay Value	10
Visuals	10
Difficulty	Moderately Hard
Completion Time	60-100hrs
Overall
Monica, ready for action.

   I'm sure everyone has heard Dark Cloud referred to as the Zelda killer. Many people have tried it, and were convinced that even though it retained some Zelda elements, it was just not the same. Dark Cloud 2 simply builds upon everything the first had, with extraordinary depth and complexity.

   In battle you can fight with two characters, each with their own special and unique capabilities. Max uses a gun and a wrench/hammer, while Monica uses a sword and magic armlet. All weapons can only be upgraded through slaughtering monsters, and receiving 'Abs' (basically experience for weapons), which then levels up the weapon equipped. Every level-up, you receive a set value of Synthesis Points, which you can use my turning items into Synthesis Items, and then Synthesizing each item with a corresponding Synthesis Point. Certain stats are then increased, and until you have raised your stats in a certain area enough times, you cannot build up the weapon into a new weapon. There are also gems which raise many stats at one time. If you are familiar with the first Dark Cloud, you will find Dark Cloud 2's weapon build up system very similar. It's a very fun and strategic process.

   If you are disappointed in there only being two characters, don't be. Besides the normal fighting, there are a number of special techniques. You can do a back flip to dodge an attack, a front slash for a power slash, or power up your weapons for a knock-out attack. If that wasn't enough, the addition of Monster Changing and the Ridepod Steve will keep you occupied. Monster Changing is pretty much self explanatory, so I'll discuss Steve. Steve is a huge monstrous machine that Max controls. You can buy him different parts which you can buy with Experience that he gains from battling (even equipping him with samurai swords, or a propeller for legs!) I can't even explain how much fun it is to slaughter enemies, flying around with samurai swords, rocket launchers, and machine guns!

   Dungeons are organized in stages like the first Dark Cloud, but now there is even more to do in the dungeons than just fighting. There are 'medals' you can gain from completing each level within a time limit, or completing a level with a certain objective. There are even medals for the two innovative minigames, fishing and Spheda (which I will cover later). You can turn in your medals for prizes, mostly new costumes for your characters. The true hardcore could spend hours receiving all the medals for this game.

   Outside of dungeons, there are also tons of things to be done. The Idea System is the most original idea I have ever seen in an action RPG. It involves taking pictures of things around towns and dungeons, and storing them in your Idea Book. From there, you can make inventions by gathering certain ideas and putting them together. Then you gather the materials to make the invention, and you can make anything from weapons to armor, to clothes and food! Besides the Idea System, there is fishing and Spheda. Fishing requires finding a lake (within dungeons or towns) and fishing out fish with your lure or bait, and gaining Fishing Points for your Rod, so you can level it up and catch bigger fish. From there, you can cook the fish and eat it, or breed fish, fight fish, or even RACE fish! It's a huge improvement over the first game, and it's tons of fun. Spheda is also extremely fun. It's a game kind of like golf, only the ball can change colors as it bounces off the walls. It must be the opposite color of the goal in order for it to go in. All of these minigames and the idea System have greatly enhanced this game.

Reel it in, Max!

   The Georama system from the first game is also back, better than ever. Now you collect 'geostones' on certain levels of certain dungeons, and you bring them back to your carpenterion (he's a flying robot that builds towns), and build your towns. This system is so complex it is too hard to fully explain, but basically, you can build houses, rivers, trees and the like. You can change the color of the houses, have people immigrate into your towns from your home town, and so on. This is also a lot of fun, and a lot of creativity comes into play.

   The music in Dark Cloud 2 is very pleasant to the ear, unlike the first Dark Cloud. The Sound effects are of the same quality. The interface of Dark Cloud 2 is basic and easy to use. I never had a problem with any of the controls or anything. The localization was also done exceptionally well. No translation problems at all, and the voice acting is pretty good. People who don't like it will be happy to know you can skip it the same way you can skip an Xenosaga story scene (press start, then triangle). The graphics are probably the best cel-shaded graphics I have ever seen in the history of gaming. They are very realistic, yet cartoonish at the same time. The whole game has a very good overall ambiance.

   The Plot in Dark Cloud 2 is probably the only downfall. While this game still has an interesting plot in many ways, it is quite clichéd. I found it a pleasant distraction from the main flow of things still, and entertaining at times. The beginning scenes, however, I despise. The game starts off with Max going to a circus. From there he ends up hearing information he isn't supposed to know, and is chased by clowns and escapes through a sewer to go to the outside world.

   The biggest change from Dark Cloud to Dark Cloud 2 is the replay value, by far. With all of the new changes and all of the new minigames and choice between paths in weapon development, there is an exceedingly high replay value, despite the huge length to this game. While you can beat this game in 60 hours if you wanted, to play all of the minigames, and the extra dungeon, along with getting all of the medals and such, will take you well over 100 hours. This game is moderately difficult, meaning that you shouldn't have too many problems, but it will always be a little challenging, even if you level up your weapons. This is because of the limitation of defense throughout the game.

   Overall, Dark Cloud 2 soars above the first installment in every way. This game is so addictive, it will keep you playing for hours. I have never played a Dungeon Crawler that I liked until this game came out. If you are a fan of the first Dark Cloud, there is no question about it; you will love this game. If you simply love RPGs, this game is a must have. it is a masterpiece, and I believe everyone, given the chance, should try out this incredible game.