Dark Cloud

 PlayStation 2
User Score
8.0

Generally favorable reviews- based on 152 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 113 out of 152
  2. Mixed: 24 out of 152
  3. Negative: 15 out of 152
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  1. HnojtheDemon
    Nov 2, 2012
    10
    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    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.    … Expand
  2. FedG.
    Oct 30, 2005
    10
    This game is the best.
  3. DanielN.
    Dec 30, 2001
    10
    Dark Cloud can be described in two words: IT RULES! It has pretty good sound, It's graphics are great, and I love the new weapons system. It gives a great thrill to RPG gamers. I've played Zelda, Final Fantasy IV-X, Legend of the Dragoon, etc., but none of 'em have this good graphics or gameplay. In the end Dark Cloud is one heck of an RPG!
  4. JustinJ.
    Oct 24, 2001
    10
    This game rockz!! The weapons are great, the graphics are sweet, and instead of having all that hard rock stuff, there's just sum mellow music u can chill out to!!:)
  5. [Anonymous]
    Jul 9, 2001
    8
    It is a great role-playing game.
  6. AmyW.
    Apr 6, 2002
    10
    I love this game. It's the best. I've played Zelda before and when I heard this was similar, I manged to get a demo. The demo is great and I'm quite sure the real game will be even better!!!
  7. CamK.
    Apr 9, 2002
    8
    The gameplay was great at first, but got a little monotonous. It was still pretty fun, though, with the georama stuff and the weapon buildup options. Overall, a great game worth the money.
  8. ThomasK.
    Jul 4, 2002
    9
    Challenging but exciting.
  9. NaomiM.
    Nov 4, 2004
    10
    Its great!!! I love rebuilding the villages! I just wish they talked!
  10. AllenP.
    Oct 10, 2001
    10
    Great graphics and the style of play is much more realistic than Zelda.
  11. KevinL.
    Dec 30, 2001
    10
    This game is GREAT!!!!!! The only problem with it is that me and my brother fight over who gets to play! Great graphics, and a good gaming format.
  12. TomJ.
    Jun 30, 2001
    10
    I love this game because you have a variety of characters, abilities, and magic. Sometimes the game is boring like when you have to go through 18 levels in one dungeon, but its worth the score of a ten.
  13. [Anonymous]
    Jan 7, 2002
    10
    It is one of the best games I have ever played. It is a lot like Zelda and kind of like Final Fantasy Games as far as the story.
  14. Frisco
    Apr 2, 2002
    9
    This is an excellent game, it's VERY addictive and the city building and fishing are really cool, but as much as I love this game, I've gotta chip off 1 point for repetitiveness and well...CRAPPY MUSIC! Good graphics though.
  15. BobB.
    Jul 12, 2001
    9
    Great!, Fantastic! but a little repetitive. Overall the game has very few weak points and tons of strong points such as stunning weapons, terrific allies, village assembly, and the graphics. Its like "Dundgeons & Dragons" + "Sim City 2000." Very Cool!
  16. KouisG.
    Jul 23, 2001
    10
    Great, fantastic. It's the best game I ever played. It's like Zelda and Zoe put together.
  17. ChrisM.
    Oct 12, 2002
    9
    It's a really good game, but the battle areas, dungeons, never get much different and get boring. I like the upgrade deal that you can do with your weapons and the status break, it helps you to improve your skills and strengths. But, I don't like when you break your weapon and lose all your progress on it. All in all I give this game a rating of 9.
  18. MegV.
    Jul 29, 2002
    10
    Got the demo in the mail. I think it is great like Zelda in the combat system. Building the towns is fun, and I like the dungeons. The whole idea of saving the world is kinda repetitive in games, if they just didn't do it so ... differently. I hope to get this game for X-mas, because its just lovely!
  19. RyanM.
    Feb 22, 2003
    10
    Masterpiece!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just plain fun.
  20. MangaWasabi
    May 3, 2011
    9
    This is my favorite game of all time. I got back when i was a kid during the early 2000s. I still play it quite frequently to this day. This is one of the only games I've done that with! The plot, is great...but it only gets very interesting near the end. The combat isn't very complex but i find it enjoyable. The music can be great, but some songs are way too overused. The game has flaws,This is my favorite game of all time. I got back when i was a kid during the early 2000s. I still play it quite frequently to this day. This is one of the only games I've done that with! The plot, is great...but it only gets very interesting near the end. The combat isn't very complex but i find it enjoyable. The music can be great, but some songs are way too overused. The game has flaws, but it's still amazing.… Expand
  21. Tirekyll
    Dec 21, 2012
    10
    Once upon a time, this game was possibly the best I had ever played. Many fond memories of the characters, the towns, the weapon system, and even the enormously lengthly and tall Demon Shaft to get the Chronicle 2 sword(the best sword in the game). Of course I couldn't go back to it today, however I still say this was one of the best games I've played to date that could keep me entertainedOnce upon a time, this game was possibly the best I had ever played. Many fond memories of the characters, the towns, the weapon system, and even the enormously lengthly and tall Demon Shaft to get the Chronicle 2 sword(the best sword in the game). Of course I couldn't go back to it today, however I still say this was one of the best games I've played to date that could keep me entertained for such a long period of time. For the memories alone I give this game a 10/10. Dark Cloud was amazing and always will be in the hearts of those who enjoyed it.

    To those in 2008 and later, do keep in mind this game is very old and shouldn't be compared to what we have today.    … Expand
  22. WeTechThat
    Apr 26, 2016
    8
    Almost 15 years after its initial release, Dark Cloud is a game that still impresses me. Randomly generated dungeons are such a cool idea, the weapon system is unique and fun, and the soundtrack is great. The ability to re-build the world how you (and somewhat how the villagers) see fit really makes this game stand apart from other dungeon crawler games. The story is good, too, albeitAlmost 15 years after its initial release, Dark Cloud is a game that still impresses me. Randomly generated dungeons are such a cool idea, the weapon system is unique and fun, and the soundtrack is great. The ability to re-build the world how you (and somewhat how the villagers) see fit really makes this game stand apart from other dungeon crawler games. The story is good, too, albeit predictable at times.

    I have a few gripes with this game, though. For one, not enough new things are introduced after Wise Owl Forrest, the second dungeon. It's at this point where the player will likely have noticed the repetitiveness this game can be criticized for. Second, there's no reason to use anyone but the main character unless you absolutely have to, making the point of having more than one playable character kind of pointless.

    Other than that, Dark Cloud is the game to play on a stormy day, even in 2016.    … Expand
  23. Barnes1987
    Mar 29, 2017
    8
    A good game that was over hyped upon release. There was not many games like it at the time and it made it some what unique. Well worth a purchase if you own the system.
  24. jimfaindel
    Jun 15, 2016
    10
    A classic of the old PS2 games, Dark Cloud is a tremendous ride from start to end, with so much to see and do and, in my humble opinion, the best soundtrack of any game to have been made to that point.
  25. NolanWestmore
    Aug 10, 2016
    10
    The best dungeon crawler that you can find for PS2. However repetitive the combat might end up being, there is a certain feel about not wanting to loose your favorite weapon to a GOD DAMNED BAT!

    (*clears throat*) I recommend you take a crack at this.
  26. thegamerater12
    Aug 28, 2018
    9
    A bit of a break from classic RPGs with the infusion of town-building and a diverse playable characters list. Each character has their own special ability and weapon type. The music leaves a lot to be desired in dungeons, but is good in towns. Fighting enemies, while it can only be done in dungeons, allows the player to have a unique experience with different weapons, abilites, andA bit of a break from classic RPGs with the infusion of town-building and a diverse playable characters list. Each character has their own special ability and weapon type. The music leaves a lot to be desired in dungeons, but is good in towns. Fighting enemies, while it can only be done in dungeons, allows the player to have a unique experience with different weapons, abilites, and character types. Three ranged and three melee characters allow the player to choose which style they like best. However, this game can be very repetitive. The main sequence is always dungeon, build some town, new character, story development, finish town, boss, more story development. I found that this style (repetitive as it is) can still engage you in the story to prevent it from becoming boring. This game includes a lock on mode to attack enemies more efficiently. This is limited, but it still can be very helpful. There is no armour or leveling up your characters, only weapon development. While unique, I find that this is the games most glaring problem. All in all, I would give this game a score of 88.… Expand
  27. BDOGG345
    Oct 23, 2018
    9
    Really fun game, with a few nitpicks. Trust me, if you miss classic PS2 era games, this is definitely one you should play!
  28. maturene
    Dec 22, 2018
    8
    Luego escribo una review desas que ahora mismo me da pereza y tal. me cagoento
  29. Ashtar124
    Jun 21, 2019
    8
    I had this game as a kid and the music is astonishing, the graphics feel dated but still keeps the creepy gameplay , but the gameplay feels very repetetive noe that i play it again, buy stuff in the store,go to the dungeon, get some houses on the ground rinse repeat.
  30. Kingdomhear
    Dec 6, 2020
    8
    Nella sua semplicità totale verrebbe quasi da dire che non si osa ...invece riesce a farti entrare in un vero e propio viaggio... gran gioco e grande level 5 che non sbaglia quasi mai
  31. Jslam
    Jun 21, 2020
    10
    Fantastic story, music is awesome and scenarios are fantastic for the time it was released on!
  32. darkcloudps2
    Aug 6, 2020
    10
    spoilers alert : THIS IS THE BEST GAME EVER!!!!!

    plot = 10: the game is about a boy you play as called toan running around saving and rebuilding villgaes that a dark genie destroyed. this game combines so may ideas that its like a japanese version of sims rpg action and adventure with some dungeons too. the story = 10: in the first village you go into the dungeon to battle    spoilers alert : THIS IS THE BEST GAME EVER!!!!!

    plot = 10:

    the game is about a boy you play as called toan running around saving and rebuilding villgaes that a dark genie destroyed. this game combines so may ideas that its like a japanese version of sims rpg action and adventure with some dungeons too.

    the story = 10:

    in the first village you go into the dungeon to battle monsters on each floor and on each of these floors you have specila orbs that you once opened contains pieces to building the village and on this dungeon there is a back room. when you get some pieces you go back to village to rebuild the village. thers shops you can buy items from and the best part for me is how each new village and dungeon introduce entirelly new items.

    music = 10:

    this has the most amazing music sound track ever

    spilers alert characters:

    toan = the main character you play as on the first village called norune village
    xiao (pronounced chao) = a cat girl on ceratin floor in the the first dungeon.
    gorro = once you get to the 2nd village this guy you unlock
    ruby = a girl you get on 3rd village (if you dont count brown boo or what ever its called)
    ungaga = mascka lacka
    osmond = the sun and moon temples

    fun fact = seda was the 6th main character intil they introduced osmond

    adventure 10:

    dungeons are repetitive but wih new villages items people and content and monsters and a new boss every time keeps it intesting and i like how each village has some small quests

    norune = cat girl and dran
    matataki = gorros father
    queens = ruby and la saia the boss
    ans so on

    graphics 9.5:

    not the best but very good. nobody can disagree that looking at graphics dark cloud graphics are far superier to gta sa (look at the slowness when cj gets blown up its like 20 frames being rendered at 3x teh normal speed)

    interactivity 9.9:
    the only thing stoping from getting 10 is no jump button

    danger 10:

    lots of boses and monsters to deal with whilst trying to not break weapons

    colours = 10

    amazing variety    … Expand
  33. Xemnios
    Apr 4, 2021
    10
    Perhaps the best ps2 game along with kingom hearts 1-2 and dragon quest viii. Exciting, immersive and very advanced for 2001. Sure it wasn't perfect but so beautiful that you forget those few flaws it had. 9.6 for me
  34. Warrior_of_Doom
    Jul 19, 2023
    9
    The overall score is based on how much fun I personally had with every component of the game
    and the overall experience.

Awards & Rankings

46
#46 Best PS2 Game of 2001
15
#15 Most Discussed PS2 Game of 2001
7
#7 Most Shared PS2 Game of 2001

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 27 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 27
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 27
  3. Negative: 0 out of 27
  1. Hot Games
    80
    It’s a captivating run for about the first ten hours of play, then dungeon levels become too mechanical. Still, for all its shortcomings, the game also has its share of charms.
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  2. Absolute Playstation
    91
    Crawling through hoards of dungeons in search for more, and more pieces to your missing world never got old for me. I was always driven to go on.
    Read full review
  3. All Game Guide
    70
    The game could not have survived as a dungeon crawler alone, and thankfully the many side diversions offer hours of fun by themselves.
    Read full review
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