Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is one of those once in a console lifespan type of games, the kind that set the bar far too high for the remainder of the generation - and even for itself - leaving a new console war to (hopefully) reignite the ingenuity and innovation of developers and lead to the next great genre revolution.

An unlikely classic, Disgaea is one of the most perfect expressions of freeform strategy gaming it's possible to imagine.

I honestly can't recommend Afternoon of Darkness enough. It is everything a SRPG should be, filled to the brim with a staggering amount of gameplay, a great story with absolutely insane characters, killer gameplay that all SRPGs would do well to copy, and with the PSP version, runs, looks and plays better than the original version.

Overall, I was very very pleased with Afternoon of Darkness. Welcome back to the front of the Strategy RPG pack, Disgaea. We missed you.

Sheer brilliance. [Issue#161, p.98]

As finely-presented as it is deep, welcoming to the newcomer, and yet more than ready to run veteran strategy gearheads down into their own personal animated Netherworld.

A great port. It was awesome on the PS2 and now even better on the PSP with Etna mode and the various multiplayer modes.

Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness stands side by side with the likes of Final Fantasy Tactics and Jeanne D'Arc as one of the best PSP games to hit the system in 2007.

A Disgaea veteran who is interested only in the new content may find AoD to not be worth the purchase, but it's a must-buy for any PSP owner who's been yearning for an engrossing strategy RPG. [Nov 2007, p.58]

This cult classic has lot nothing--and gained quite a bit--in the translation to PSP. [Nov 2007, p.163]

With a myriad of options through character creation, and a new twist on tactical combat with the "geo-system", this may be one of the foremost MUST-HAVE games for the PSP this year.

With a nearly flawless port of the classic title to the PSP, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is a game that any strategy RPG fan should definitely own.

It has enough new content to appeal to owners of HoD, and enough depth to keep even the most skilled SRPG player busy for weeks.

So often we see PSP ports that are missing features or don't control well, but Afternoon of Darkness is a shining example of what ports should be. [Holiday 2007, p.80]

Time does the best job of muffling hyperbole but today, years after we first encountered Disgaea, we still feel like shouting from the rooftops.

Brilliant stuff. Where else can a bubbly fallen angel butt heads with a bratty, ambitious prince hoping to become Overlord of the Netherworld?

Afternoon of Darkness feels at home on the PSP, with its battles short, sweet and addictive in exactly the right way a portable RPG should be. Its innovative nature might no longer be the cutting edge of SRPGs, but it stands alongside Final Fantasy Tactics as one of the best RPGs on the PSP, if not one of the finest titles you can get on a console adrift in cheap PS2 port hell.

Those who’ve never experienced the story and fun on offer should take a look and owners of the original game still owe it to themselves to buy this game.

Afternoon of Darkness features a fast startup time, even faster game loading times, and almost unbelievably fast level loading times (under 2 seconds), all of which just add to the many reasons why this port is a great fit for the PSP.

One of the most polished, deep RPGs ever made, and on PSP it's better than ever. [Dec 2007, p.84]

The humor, story, and gameplay are all top notch.

Arguably the greatest and most substantial strategy RPG you'll get on PSP. [Jan 2007, p.69]

The two minor gameplay additions and the Etna Mode make this superior to the PS2 original. If you've never played Disgaea before because of difficulty finding it, you have no excuse now.

Superbly structured strategy gameplay and a wonderfully colourful, humorous and entertaining setting make Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness one of the best strategy RPGs around.

Though not as hilarious as its PS2 sequel, Disgaea: Afternoon of Darkness is the best, most expansive and most addictive strategy/RPG available for PSP.

For portable role playing on the go you can't do much better...okay, "Jeanne de Arc", but that's it. [Oct 2007, p.94]

If you're into tactical RPGs at all, or want to see the genre done in a more playful manner than Final Fantasy or Fire Emblem, then this is without a doubt one of the deepest, craziest, most time consuming games you could ever play.

If you've got a PSP and are a fan of strategy RPGs, Disgaea is a worthy addition to your collection.

It's hard to believe a tiny UMD disc can pack this much game.

Newcomers will be happy to find a strategic RPG that doesn't take itself too seriously. [Jan 2008, p.115]

Although it's a remake of a 2003 game, it is well-done. The added multiplayer is a real treat and its charm is everlasting.

An awesome game that is a must for every PSP owner.

If you like your Japanese RPGs and have a lot of time to spend to get the most from the game, it comes highly recommended.

Basically, half of what makes Disgaea unique would seem like cheating in any other game.

The new alternate story and head-to-head multiplayer make it even more compelling than the PS2 original. [Dec 2007, p.128]