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Dark Cloud for PlayStation 2
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Dark Cloud for PlayStation 2
109 reviews   4.15 of 5

Product Description

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Summary

It is about time that this game was released, after several months of delays.

Anyway, this is a darn good title. It may be a rip off of zelda, but this game is actually better then Zelda.

Actually, there are things that Zelda doesn’t have. Unlike Zelda, Dark Cloud has an editable town. Sure, you start with nothing to edit, but as you play the game, you get more and more things to edit. This is a nice feature, because you can make a beautiful town with rivers the way you want it to go, and you can place trees and other stuff around.

Besides that, it has randomly designed dungeons to explore. Zelda doesn’t. That means that Dark Cloud has this feature to add replay value to it.

By the way, that is what you are supposed to do. The genie has taken away all the things away, and sealed them up. So, therefore, you must explore each and every dungeon floor to get all the pieces of the towns back.

So, here are the pros and cons of this game.

PROS:
1: This game has far better graphics then Zelda. Nice crisp graphics without jagged edges.
2: This game has a lot of customizable options and towns. This makes way for added replay value.
3: The controls are decent! It may take a short time to learn, but once you do, you will enjoy this game. Besides, Gameplay weighs the most when it comes to rating games.
4: The sound is decent. Perhaps, it has better sound then Zelda.
5: Ran out of items when you can escape? Then, you can get some basic items at the chief's house to get you started again. You get healed up again when you go back in to the dungeon.

CONS:
1: It was released for the Playstation 2 for god sakes! I think that Sony should of gone third party and release this game later on for the Gamecube. Besides, releasing this game for the PS2 would actually hurt sales because people who don't trust Sony anymore because that 95 percent of the titles (except this one) sucks.

2: This game, although it was great is one of the only few games that were decent. Dark Cloud (this title), Timesplitters, Tekken Tag Tournament, Street fighters and about 2 or 3 others may be good, but the rest of the titles for the PS2 SUCKS! Look at the hardware review. You should see why this game may be good, but consider that about 95% of the other titles suck. I still would advice you to just wait until the Gamecube comes out. Perhaps Sony would become a third party developer and make this game for that system instead.

Bottom line: This game may be an excellent game, but this is one of the only few decent titles out there for the PS2.

Still, people who still have a PS2 at home (I heard that thousands of people are returning the PS2s to their retailers, because of lacking quality titles) may make this a great title to buy, but if you don't have a PS2 yet, please don't spend 350 bucks just for this game. Just wait till the Gamecube comes out. I am sure you will find lots of games just as good as this title on the Gamecube. Besides, who would want a system with a game library that 95% of the games suck? I wouldn't.

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>> OVERALL: 20/20 (Approximately 5/5) [This may be a great game, perhaps better then Zelda on the N64, but the problem is, this is one of the few only great titles on the PS2. If Sony wants to make money, then Sony needs to keep it up and makes games just as great as this one is.]

-Gameplay: 5/5 >This game has easy to use controls, just as easy as Zelda. Yet, it has new twists to the controls, since you need to also watch your weapon condition and your thirst.
(Counts twice to the overall)

-Graphics: 5/5 >The great graphics makes Zelda, a great game look blurred, muddy, and blocky

-Sound: 5/5 >Nice sound compared to Zelda. Sounds are also more realistic.

ADVICE: If you already have a PS2, then this game may be great to get. But if you don't have a PS2, then you may just want to still stay away from the PS2 until they release better games. Still, I'd go with the Gamecube as the next system to purchase. Excellent game, but this is one in just a few decent games on the PS2.


Sound

This game perhaps has better sounds then Zelda did. The music is great and the hyahhs that Toan makes when striking is even less annoying then what Link makes. Also, the fire torches inside the dungeons sounds better then the dungeons in Zelda. Why did they use jingle-bells as the sound of the fire in Zelda? This time, it sounds more like fire in this game. Overall, the graphics and sound are better then Zelda on the N64.

Gameplay

This game has better-then-Zelda controls. It has easy to use controls. Also, it has an easy to read instruction manual, to help you learn the controls of the game. You use combos by pressing the attack button multiple times. It also has more things to watch out for, including the thirst meter. When the thirst meter runs low, you need water. So, you will need to find a drinking pool somewhere in the dungeon floor, or a water jug would help you to quench your thirst. It has an easy to use customizable feature to easily edit the towns the way you like it to be. Games with so much editable stuff makes this replay value high.
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Sound

Again , as with graphics and gameplay, the sound is a step above everything on the PS2. The sound always fits the environment youre in along with the mood that is in the atmosphere of the game. Everything from the swish of your sword to the cry of the enemies perishing is all fluid and realistic. The sound always will fit the upbeat parts of the games to a tee and vice versa with the more dark parts of the game. Nothing could be done to improve the sound, it is perfect and it all makes for a great adventure!

Gameplay

Yeah , i know , this game will get backlash for "copying" the zelda inspired gameplay but hey it works. The gameplay is simply incredible. It has the same lock on feature as zelda which is very easy to manage for even the most amatuer game player. The game is really smooth with absolutely no chopping ever no matter how many enemies, items or whatever is on the screen. The whole Norune level building system is very user friendly as you just basically press x wherever you want to place a house, river, road, windmill, etc. and you can rotate the objects, move them later or do whatever you want , you always have complete control over everything you do in this game which is one of the many reasons why i enjoy it so much. Youd think that with a mix of so many complex genres the end product would be a little sloppy ( L.o.M ) but it seamlessly merges all genres with what seems like great ease.
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Summary

Ready, Set, Hut 1...Hut 2...Hut 3...snap!!!! I got my ps2 on Oct. 26 2000, I didn't get my first game until Oct 30. Why? Because there was not anything to choose from. I mean Madden 2001, but I own a Dreamcast and NFL 2k1 was holding me over. I waited 4 whole days (watching DVD of corse). I went back to the store, look over the launch titles and well ended up with Madden anyway. But what made me not give up on my $300+ investment was the Summer 2001, Fall 2001, and Winter 2001/2002 titles. And one is Dark Cloud. But what good is a game with no hype behind it.....very good. I remember Nov. 24 1998 when I first played the greatest game ever (Zelda 64). I couldn't go to sleep the night before. But when I played it I felt like it was worth the $10 pre-order fee, It was wroth to wait, and I felt not cheated. Well when I played Dark Cloud it felt the same without the $10 fee.
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Sound

The sound effects and background music in the game are exactly what you would expect of an RPG. The music is melodic in town and while exploring the dungeons has a hint of danger to it. When a monster comes into your vicinity, the music ramp up in tempo and volume-letting you know something evil is just around the next turn. The only dissapointing aspect of this games sound is the fact that there are no character voice-overs. Other than that, the game sounds great!

Gameplay

I wanted to play this game for at least ten hours before making a review on it so that it would adequately reflect how the game plays. And I can say that after ten hours-I am as hooked now as the first five minutes! Controls are easy (especially to Zelda-Ocarina Of Time gamers) to master and control. You can pan the camera left or right with two of the shoulder buttons and there is a button for first person view. You can lock onto an enemy with the "O" button and charge up for a special attack with the "square" button. Things can become difficult early on because your weapons break down rapidly, but you will quickly learn to pay attention to this degredation and repair them before they are destroyed. One minor annoyance is the fact that if you have a negative status like Poison or Curse, you cannot change weapons. So, if you have no repair powder, you are stuck either running away or fighting and possibly destroying a weapon you spent so long leveling up.
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Sound

Sound is good too but theres no voices. Music is good but gets a bit repetitive. Overall its good but not great. Variety is missing here, voices would have been kind of nice but they werent truly needed.

Gameplay

Very good. The dungeon crawling is fast and fun and you must strategize accordingly for each quick battle. You have various weapons which you may find which each have their own special attributes. The problem is that they BREAK! When they break, you lose them FOREVER! AGH! This is mighty annoying since you must use repair powders to restore them (and there are few to find in each dungeon) Nonetheless, with a little strategizing and thinking, you can get the hang of switching weapons when needed since you can carry quite a few when you find them. You have a water meter which you must also watch, so keep plenty of water on hand. The town building aspect is awesome! Put your found houses anywhere and set them up as you please! Great fun!
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Summary

First of all, I don't see how someone could give this game a bad rating. This game has many aspects to it and a good story line. The game is a bit cartoony, the plot of a genie destroying the world is far-fetched but at least the game has a plot. The game keeps you coming back to find more weapons and attachments, to find the right attachments to build you weapon into another weapon. Much time is spent collecting homes, roads and rivers etc. and then rebuilding them and asking folks what else do you want with your house etc. It is fun to me, plus you are rewarded by the homeowner once you complete the house with a gift. The best thing is when you build the item shop up, then this game shines. You get what you put into it. I also enjoy the fishing, yes you can fish it isn't Pro Bass or anything but again it adds another twist. In combat your get things like worms, carrots, etc. to fish with and you can gain FP and trade it in on hard to find attachments, well worth your time finding bait. Also you have allies you can find that you can also play in the dungeons. They all use different weapons. I have played 11 hours and have only completely rebuilt one town and have started on the second town. This game is not repetitive, the dungeons change each time you go in, the locations of treasure chests, enemies etc. change. The monsters change from town to town. This game has many aspects, not an ordinary RPG, there is more to it, you have a main task plus you rebuild these towns on the way. Its well worth your money GO GET IT.

Sound

Sound is also excellent, sound is in surround you can walk towards something and hear the sound grow stronger and as you walk away the sound lessons. If you walk to the left, the sound remains in the right speaker, so on and so forth. When you walk on bridges the sound of walking on wood comes through the speakers. It is very realistic and helps bring you into the game more... excellent.

Gameplay

As discussed in the Summary gameplay consist of roaming through dungeons looking for these spheres that when unlocked release parts of the town which you use to rebuild the town. You just walk up and hack the baddies, but there are many different methods you can attack them or use items to kill them. You rebuild the town and discuss with people the where they want there house etc. there is a graph which grades how much you have completed 0-100%. You fish to gain certain items. You have to complete peoples houses to gain items. You have to think through this game it isn't random hack and slash it takes though. Gameplay is good
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Summary

Did some of these people play the same game as me? I can't believe some of what I'm reading....well, here's my take on the game...

I'll tell ya, I was really excited about Dark Cloud coming out for the PS2. I pre-ordered before launch, then was devastated when I find out it wasn't coming out until May. I counted the days until the release, checked gamespot for any new movies, pics, or preview updates....then the day arrived!

I went to Stop-N-Save Software during my lunch, picked up my copy, and read the manual in the parking lot like a kid with a Superman #1. The day dragged by as I waited to get home and play Dark Cloud.....

I finally get home, worked out, urged my wife and kids to bed, ate a late dinner as I read the manual again, and prepared to play my first RPG for the PS2.

Again, was it worth the wait?

Ok I'll answer that question....

Absolutely.

I am definitely pleased with this game! In combining many different types of gameplay into one, Sony has created a new type of genre and I bet you there will be more to follow.

Sound

I guess the sound is the weakest part of the game, but to be honest to you, the developers at least kept it more as background so as not to get on your nerves...I mean I don't even notice it most of the time - it just seems to add to the overall environment. I would of like voice-overs, but it's forgivable.

Gameplay

Creating towns as a part of gameplay reminds me of my Actraiser days...ah, the joy of creating your own world, but more importantly, incorporating that into a RPG that will progress the storyline and reward you with characters and items...rewards for something that is a reward in itself anyway....wow!

I admit the fighting is almost exactly like Zelda, and the sound Toan makes while executing an attack or a combo is reminisce of Link, but that formula works so why not? But Dark Cloud takes fighting further with the weapon system. Yes upgrading the weapons and making sure they don't break can be a challenging and sometimes frustrating task in the beginning....but once you get the hang of it and build your weapons up to your preference...well...it's actually seamless to the rest of the game. I actually enjoyed the added strategy and preparation needed to be successful in weapon management and growth...it really adds depth as far as RPG's go.

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Sound

I haven't played too far into the game, so I haven't heard too many tunes yet, but what I've heard has impressed me. The sound effects are great too: clings, clangs, slices, and swooshes are very evident througout the game. When you are in town during the day, a cheerful song will play, but when it changes to night all you hear is crickets and the wind, just like in Majora's Mask. Great job with the music and sound, Sony.

Gameplay

The combat system is remarkably similar to Zelda: Ocarina of Time's targeting system. Press the circle button to lock onto the closest enemy to you and press the R1 and L1 buttons to change the target to another nearby enemy. As you attack, the speed of your attacks get slower, so you need to allow the speed gauge to refill in order to attack at full speed. Weapons have a limited amount of times they can be used. The WPH of a weapon will drop as you attack enemies and if it is depleted, your weapon breaks and is no longer usable. To avoid this you use repair powder to repair your weapon and refill the WPH. It can be tedious at times, but it's still a very innovative weapon system. You can add certain items to your weapon to increase it's stats and to power it up. When you defeat enough enemies with a specific weapon, the weapon's "ABS" meter will fill and you can upgrade your weapon to a higher level. Cool, huh? Movement is easy in this game, although I kinda wish I could use the directional pad to move. Oh, and I almost forgot to mention the cool "bouting" system. When you meet up with special enemies, you will go into "bouting mode". In this mode you will see buttons scrolling along a blue line at the bottom of the screen. When a button reaches a lighter blue line on the bar, press the button. The closer that the button was to the line when you pushed it, the better the attack. The cool graphics in these bouts are fun to watch too!
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Summary

I picked up Dark Cloud with relatively few expectations, having heard everything in reviews ranging from slamming it as a horrible Zelda rip-off to praising it for a good combination of elements from many different games. After playing through the first dungeon and having gotten part-way through the second I must say that the game has been a pleasant surprise.

It may be true that the combat system is very similar to Zelda but that fact alone should not be the deciding factor whether you like or dislike the game. After reading through all of the reviews here, I've noticed a slightly anti-sony tone to almost all of the bad reviews. I think I can address some of the aspects other reviewers have disliked.

The first dungeon does indeed start out difficult, with only a dagger and being an inexperienced fighter your character is weaker than most enemies, that is why you have to be careful to avoid getting hit until you start powering up your weapons and getting items to increase health, defense and water limit. I found that by the end of the first dungeon any creature would go down in one hit and could do no more than around 20 points of damage to either character you can control at that point.

The dungeons can get a bit repetative but each dungeon is different and each one has a new selection of enemies that you will have to learn how to fight effectively. The weapon development system, while not as advanced as Vagrant Story's armor and weapon system gives a lot of room for personal preference and development paths since every weapon can eventually be built up into a better, sometimes much more powerful form.

The town development for me isn't one of the selling points of the game but does add another element to the game and you are rewarded for doing a good job rebuilding the town. The fishing mini game in the towns has much less depth to it compared with the Breath of Fire mini game but does provide a way to get the rare gems that can help power up weapons you want to build up into different forms much faster than you could just by exploring the dungeons.

I have two friends with nearly opposite taste in video games but both like Dark Cloud, a very rare occurance indeed for them to agree on a game. Overall this isn't a perfect game but it is one of the better games currently available on the system and I would recommend it to those games who like a good blend of action, exploration and character development (or in this case weapon development).

Sound

I have to admit that I don't have much of a preference as far as sound goes, in most games I turn off background music and have the television up just enough to hear the sound effects and any audio cues that might be present in the game and this one is no exception. I simply don't pay much attention to the sound unless it detracts from the game and it had very little to do with the overall rating I gave Dark Cloud other than to note that the sound didn't lessen the gaming experience.

Gameplay

I think I covered most of the gameplay elements in the Summary above but I'll recap briefly here. The combat system is heavily influenced by Zelda and is relatively easy to learn and provides good control of all the character actions in combat. The weapon development system provides a lot of room for personal taste and variety in your weapon selection. The town building is fun and rewarding in it's own way and gives you the chance to shape the towns and rebuild the game world. You won't find anything really new here but the blend of gameplay elements makes for a very enjoyable gaming experience.
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