Metascore
80

Generally favorable reviews - based on 43 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 35 out of 43
  2. Negative: 0 out of 43
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  1. Sep 23, 2015
    72
    Mainly recommended for the fan of the series. If you liked previous games, you'll enjoy this one, because it's basically the same. For those newbies, you'd better choose another option.
  2. Oct 22, 2015
    70
    While Disgaea 5 definitely had me hooked once things got cooking, it's unfortunate that so much of the game is tucked away at the start. I understand not wanting to bombard newcomers with too many systems, but doling them out at a snail's pace over ten or so hours takes far too long, and runs the risk of alienating returning vets.
  3. Oct 12, 2015
    70
    The least funny Disgaea yet, but arguably the best in terms of the actual gameplay – even if there is a lack of genuinely new ideas.
  4. Sep 29, 2015
    70
    If you enjoy grinding numbers, goofy anime antics, and over-the-top style, Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance will give you hundreds of hours of replayability. If you don’t like the idea of spending hours and hours replaying levels and building up characters, then you might want to look somewhere else.
  5. Sep 22, 2015
    70
    At its best, Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is charming. At its worst, it’s very tedious. Unfortunately, its lack of flow and terrible voice acting really hurt any momentum the game picks up from the fun and rewarding parts of the game.
  6. Games Master UK
    Nov 3, 2015
    68
    The combat's great, but the world around it has flaws that you just can't ignore. [Nov 2015, p.78]
  7. Oct 15, 2015
    65
    Disgaea 5 : Alliance of Vengeance is still a very good tactical-RPG. But maybe one day, Nippon Ichi Software will realize they need to bring something really new to each of their entries to make the IP moving forward. To be honest, this fifth installment is not that far from the very first, and it's not something to be proud of.
  8. Jan 14, 2016
    50
    When it isn't being a frustrating game, Disgaea 5 can be a lot of fun. Once things slow down to grind, however, the story may be the only thing that will keep players going.
User Score
8.2

Generally favorable reviews- based on 211 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 22 out of 211
  1. Oct 6, 2015
    10
    Regarding an issue that seems to be bothering some: don't give the game a negative rating because it crashed on you-- it's not the game'sRegarding an issue that seems to be bothering some: don't give the game a negative rating because it crashed on you-- it's not the game's fault it's the fault of PSN/NISA. Give them a few days to fix the issue before you condemn the game to a bad rating.

    For poorer folks like me who have very little money to go around Disgaea 5 is a godsend. With the wide selection of characters, and the numerous variations with classes, and the fact that they can all go to level 9999; this game lasts a very very long time. You never run out of places to battle either since the Item World randomly generates itself, with each randomly crafted stage providing a new selection of strategic ways to tackle it. It takes a while to get the basics down and expand on the overwhelmingly massive amount of selections to choose from but you'll have plenty of time to prefect your playstyle since this game can support itself for hundreds of hours. You can quite literally build your own army from scratch and use them to conquer every obstacle in your path. Customizing every aspect of each individual soldier along the way, from colors, to voices, to stats and weapons, there are an endless number of combinations for you to experiment with. For those willing to put in the time you'll find yourself beaming with pride at the army you've raised from rags to riches.
    Full Review »
  2. Oct 8, 2015
    10
    Like all Disgaea games, and with some improvements.

    It has a revenge system which is similar to limit break system, and open up special
    Like all Disgaea games, and with some improvements.

    It has a revenge system which is similar to limit break system, and open up special moves just like Limit Breaks did for FF7.

    Characters can now be promoted up in class without going though the reincarnation system that forced a reset in character level. I'm unsure if it was level, or a skill requirement, but when I met the requirement for my mage she promoted up from red to green in battle. The assembly is still an option along with reincarnation, but it's not a requirement anymore.

    Unlocking new classes is a bit more straight forward. A quest system has been added, and it seems a bit trivial at first, but since it does give you quests that have the same requirements previous games had for unlocking a class you're not as dependent on prior knowledge, or on internet search skills.

    Resident mechanics seem improved since now you have a way of banking them without juggling them accost items.

    All in all it's everything you'd expect from Disgaea, with improvements.
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  3. Oct 7, 2015
    10
    (No Spoilers)

    One of the best Disgaea's out there, and has a lot of new features that will make you spend over 200+ hrs. Some of the new
    (No Spoilers)

    One of the best Disgaea's out there, and has a lot of new features that will make you spend over 200+ hrs. Some of the new features are, you can send units to explore netherworlds to get items and prisoners, give classes a sub weapon, go beyond a characters natural evilities, an Innocent Farm that allows you to store and grow your innocents, and many more. Like many other Disgaea games out there, this one is focused on revenge, with a somewhat more mature story. Without spoiling the game, the story follows Killia and teammates on getting revenge on Lord Dark. I would say this is a must buy if you like tatical games that also require a little grinding.
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