Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny

 Switch
Metascore
73

Mixed or average reviews - based on 40 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 21 out of 40
  2. Mixed: 19 out of 40
  3. Negative: 0 out of 40
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  1. Digitally Downloaded
    Jun 25, 2021
    100
    As an existing fan of Disgaea, this new one is, despite the incredible focus on big numbers, more of the same, and that is fine by me. The extended level cap is hugely indulgent and entirely unnecessary to the tactics JRPG format, but at the same time it's part of Disgaea's inherent self-awareness and genre-transgressive humour. It very much wants you to see it as a silly indulgence. Couple that with the genuinely funny, satirical script and the rich tactical core that, once you peel back the excess is as compelling as always, and Disgaea 6 shows that the developers at Nippon Ichi still know how to get a player both deeply invested and laughing along with the thing. I want to say that I don’t think there’s much more that can be done with Disgaea. To me it seems that the hyperbolic potential of the series must have peaked now. But then I thought that exact same thing after Disgaea 5 and this new entry has certainly corrected me on that count.
  2. PLAY! Zine
    Jul 10, 2021
    90
    In order to stay entertaining, Disgaea 6 had to drop some of its prior mechanics and go for easier grind but more over the top moments. While this can disappoint some of the fans of the long-running series, it is at the same time essential as it makes this title as great as any other game in the franchise. An absolute must-have for anyone who enjoys a funny story, crazy mechanics and absolute madness when it comes to levelling up your characters.
  3. GameSkinny
    Jun 25, 2021
    90
    Disgaea 6 is focused more on improving what's already here, and it more than succeeds in that task. Yes, NIS will have to add some more substantial changes to the series beyond just some tweaks here and there one day. With Defiance of Destiny, I'm happy to wait a while longer for that day.
  5. COGconnected
    Jul 6, 2021
    88
    If you already love Disgaea, you’ll probably love Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny. You’ll definitely get the most out of this game if you’re already familiar with other SRPGs, but this is a fine place to enter the series–or the genre, for that matter. In the end, all that Disgaea 6 truly demands of a player is the willingness to learn its mechanics, an appreciation for its zany sense of humor, and a fondness for cute anime demons causing problems on purpose. As long as you can give it that, you’ll have a good time with this game.
  6. RPG Fan
    Jul 19, 2021
    85
    If you’ve enjoyed the Disgaea series in the past, you’ll like Disgaea 6. If you’ve never played it, you can jump in at any entry, and this is a good one to go with. Either way, you’ll get more enjoyment out of the game if you are judicious in using the new auto-play feature. After all, why let the game alone have all the fun?
  7. Noisy Pixel
    Jun 25, 2021
    85
    Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is an awesome entry in the series that brings forth new characters and 3D graphics. The battle animations and tactical systems are as prominent as ever, with a cast that carries the story campaign from beginning to end. There are some moments of growing pains found in this updated graphical direction and added auto systems, but I still found plenty of enjoyment taking down the God of Destruction and showing my SRPG skills. Too bad so many Prinnies had to die along the way.
  8. 4P.de
    Jun 29, 2021
    83
    The change from 2D to 3D leads to frustration sometimes, but the sheer amount of content and the connected gaming systems make every fan of turn based strategy dance cheer with joy.
  9. GameSpew
    Jun 30, 2021
    80
    It’s easy to recommend Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny to series fans, especially if they plan on playing in handheld mode which alleviates most of the performance issues. Thanks to some efforts to streamline certain aspects of the game, and the new auto-battle mode, however, it also serves as a great entry point for those keen to find out what the fuss is all about. It may not have the best story in the series, and some gameplay changes might not seem so favourable, but overall Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny continues the series’ legacy of providing enjoyable strategy gameplay alongside plenty of laughs.
  10. MGG
    Jun 28, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6 Defiance of Destiny is finally here and the wait was worth it because we find ourselves with a good Tactical-RPG full of references and humor. Although the story is not monumental, we will enjoy discovering it in the company of this young zombie and thus learn the secrets of the Ultra-Reincarnation. From a gameplay point of view, if you like tactical-rpg, you won't be too confused and you'll be able to hang on. In case you are not used to the genre, it can be a good entry point in this kind of RPG with its cartoon or even manga/anime style. On the other hand, it is important to know what you are getting into, because Disgaea is a license that will require you to farm for hours, and even if this one facilitates it, Disgaea 6 remains a game where farming is the most important part.
  11. IGN France
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is a great new entry trying to be accessible. Still, both veterans and newcomers will have to digest quite a number of new gameplay mechanics, but this tactical RPG remains one of the best of its kind.
  12. NintendoWorldReport
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6 doesn’t break the mold from its predecessors but what it does add are welcome inclusions. The art is gorgeous and the story is fantastically written, being both hilarious and heartwarming. Unfortunately, the story does slow down the action to a screeching halt. As always with the series, there are systems on systems that can become quickly overwhelming if not taken in stride, but when engaged they let you customize the game in infinite ways. Overall, I enjoyed my time with the game. It has a consistent quality that has remained interesting over the years. It may not be the best tactical RPG, but the Disgaea name still holds weight within the genre, and this entry is no different.
  13. Nintendo Life
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    If you weren’t allured by the distinctive style and crazy in-depth gameplay of previous entries in the franchise, Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny certainly isn’t the game to change your mind. Like its predecessors, Disgaea 6 is still a goofy and staggeringly intricate SRPG that will take hundreds of hours to see through to completion. However, this is easily the most streamlined and enjoyable entry in the series yet, as the developers have doubled down on everything that makes these games great and made some improvements, too. It can be intimidating to get into as a newcomer, and the performance is frequently disappointing, but we would still absolutely recommend that you add Disgaea 6 to your library.
  14. Eurogamer Italy
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is a brand new game in the tactical turn based jRPG series by Nippon Ichi and Nis America. This game introduces several new mechanics aiming to update the classic system and to attract new players, and it finally switches 2D sprites with 3D models. If you are a turn-based jRPG addicted, Disgaea 6 will keep you busy for more than a while.
  15. GAMES.CH
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6 combines its typical SRPG charm with numerous simplifications for newcomers, which may make the game a little too fast.
  16. Gfinity
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    Disgaea 6 gets as deep as you want it to be, rewarding those that stick with its complex systems, but allowing those looking to experience its story to get through the game relatively easily. The game is by no means perfect, with rocky framerates and many unimpressive cutscenes making a lack of polish evident. Loveable characters and an addicting gameplay loop, however, make Disgaea 6 perfect for newcomers and longtime fans alike.
  17. Checkpoint Gaming
    Jun 25, 2021
    80
    It's unmistakable that Disgaea continues to be genuinely unique – there really isn't anything else like it. Nothing really comes close with such a zany story, beyond ridiculous levelling, and an extreme amount of systems within the game. Every entry tries to change enough to warrant its existence, making improvements but creating new flaws. The 3D modelled characters will be hit or miss, and the current level balancing issues and lack of classes will certainly annoy fans. Yet the chaotic isometric tactical gameplay will always reign supreme over these issues, providing hours upon hours of complex mechanics and charming characters to tinker with. Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is a delightfully addictive game packed with personality and content.
  18. Video Chums
    Jun 28, 2021
    76
    If you're a series fan who simply wants more then Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny is sure to delight with its charming game world, solid sense of humour, and familiar battle system. With that being said, I can't help but wish it did more to make it stand out in the genre.
  19. SpazioGames
    Jun 25, 2021
    76
    NIS America played it safe with Disgaea 6 Defiance of Destiny, with the only real change being the transition from 2D models to fully 3D ones. This is still a solid 60 hour turn based JRPG, but maybe what the series needs is a twist for the near future.
  20. CD-Action
    Sep 1, 2021
    75
    Disgaea 6 can’t deny its blood ties to the previous games of the series, but it introduces fully 3D graphics and significantly cranks up the level of absurdity. The price for the former is poor framerate on Switch and the story will give you a lot of reasons to smile but won’t leave a lasting trace in your mind. Combat on the other hand is very solid and discovering new abilities and developing your party of characters are strong incentives to keep playing. [09/2021, p.35]
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  21. BaziCenter
    Jul 16, 2021
    75
    Switching from 2D perspective to 3D doesn't affect Disgaea 6 that much, as it pretty much feels the same and it can be both good and bad. Good for the original fans of the series but bad as it shows lack of development throughout the years.
  22. God is a Geek
    Jun 25, 2021
    75
    Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny may not be the best game in the series, but the strategy gameplay is still amazing if you can handle the technical issues.

Awards & Rankings

37
#37 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

User Reviews

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User Score
5.6

Mixed or average reviews- based on 54 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 23 out of 54
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 54
  3. Negative: 24 out of 54
  1. locklear93
    Jul 2, 2021
    4
    There is an awful lot to cover in any in-depth review of Disgaea 6, but for most readers, a single paragraph can save them a lot of time: IfThere is an awful lot to cover in any in-depth review of Disgaea 6, but for most readers, a single paragraph can save them a lot of time: If you are new to Disgaea, you won’t know what’s missing, but the game will likely feel awkward and inconsistent in its complexity. If you’re a veteran who never cared much about mechanics, but liked the setting and characters, you’ll find this a sub-par, but not horrible entry. If, however, you are a long time Disgaea player who loved it for its wide array of diverse, long running systems, Disgaea 6 will likely be a deeply unsatisfying experience. For such players, it is the worst in the series, and much of this review will be dedicated to highlighting what has been lost. The deep cuts in classes are the tip of a much larger iceberg.
    Though a very great deal was cut, what was kept appears not to have much rhyme, reason, or coherent planning, even for the purpose of making the game more welcoming to new players. One strong example of this is the removal of the game’s most basic special attacks, weapon skills. These skills, which rely on the use of a specific weapon type, have always been gained in the past by equipping the appropriate weapon and using it. Now, if you want a class to use a weapon skill it didn’t previously gain, you have to start it as a class that does get those skills, level it until it has them, then reincarnate into the class you wanted in the first place. Not exactly the friendly, barrier-reducing change it was meant to be, is it? Spells, at least, can be found on scrolls and learned.
    For whatever reason, NIS decided to build their own 3D engine in-house for Disgaea 6. This is an especially bad idea for a company as small as NIS, with no real experience in engine design. The result is a game that runs poorly on the Nintendo Switch. There are three graphics modes. At the highest quality setting, Disgaea 6 will dip to single digit framerate even just in your headquarters. It would’ve been worse if they’d had to manage more classes. Performance mode degrades the character models so badly they’re nearly unrecognizable. This is not an acceptable experience for a console game.
    So, what have we gained? NIS offered a massively raised damage cap and level ceiling. This, it turns out, is a half-truth. While the level cap has certainly gone up drastically, it’s more akin to inflation than actually raising anything. By the second chapter of the game, players will have characters with levels high enough to finish any previous Disgaea game’s main story. For years, when people asked why Disgaea couldn’t just divide its levels by 100 and cap at 99 like most games, my answer was simple: the game started with single digit numbers and worked its way up. The entire spectrum of levels was relevant. Now, there’s absolutely no reason not to cut off a few digits from the end of the numbers.
    We’ve also gained the ability to not play the game. Arguably the single most impactful addition to Disgaea 6, players can now let the game play itself like a mobile game in farm mode. In the post-game of previous Disgaeas, I could somewhat appreciate this, as power leveling inevitably meant running the most efficient map, finishing it in one attack, and repeating. While a useful sleep aid, this stopped a lot of people from pursuing the post-game. Those people are now appeased: the game will simply grind for them. It’s possible to simply have the game play itself altogether by configuring how each unit should behave in auto-battle. If you want to play the game that little, there are probably other games you’d enjoy more anyway, but for those who are content to let the maps play themselves, the option is now there.
    There are two new features that stand out as good additions: the juice bar and post-map bonus experience. The former passively collects some of the experience and mana gained to be spent as you like later, a nice headstart for a new character, or a bump for an existing one. The latter gives bonus experience or mana to characters who were number one at something on that map (damage, throws, healing, etc.) Weighed against the losses throughout the rest of the game though, these improvements are cold comfort.
    Disgaea 6 should serve as a cautionary tale about both the pace of change, and change to attract new customers to old franchises, and can be summed up nicely by an old adage: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” In chasing new players, NIS changed or removed so much that was fundamental about the franchise that they lost sight of what made it special to the customers they already had. Systems and classes have always come and gone in Disgaea, but not until this iteration has it truly lost its foundation. It is my sincere wish that NIS finds it again. I’ve spent hundreds of dollars on extra copies of every Disgaea to give to others. This is the first time I regret even buying my own copy.    … Full Review »
  2. Epul
    Jul 11, 2021
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click full review link to view. As a hardcore Disgaea fan, as much as I super excited about Disgaea 6. For me this is the worst Disgaea game.

    OPENING.
    Every disgaea game got an anime opening except disgaea 1. Seems like Disgaea 6 also trying to follow Disgaea 1 pattern, so yeah no anime opening for Disgaea 6. I bet they are trying to minimize their budget

    STORYWISE,
    To be honest. Disgaea story started with great story for the first title and began to decline in quality throughout the series but I was expecting Disgaea 6 would fix it or make it back on par with Disgaea 1 or 4. Unfortunately no, the story were bad as Disgaea 5 or even worse (again, this is my preference storywise). Disgaea 6 got 2 arc. the first arc was rubbish. 10 chapters but the story doesn't have the flow and felt unnatural, not to mention the diversity of staging/areas aset were reused back and the story delivery were the same for each chapter, repetitive. the characters felt bland and somehow felt unrelated. 2nd arc, felt like disgaea story like previous one. The skits inbetween each chapter were horrible. imagine hearing and seeing the same skit start up "previously, on Disgaea 6" "Super reincarnated Zed and company found themselves in a BRAND NEW WORLD!" "the wheels of reincarnation never stop, and thus, a new story begins..." for 14 freaking chapters, so lame.

    Game Stage
    BORING, less challenging, no brainer stages, not optimize the usage of geo panel to make the stages more challenging, can just bulldoze all the stages using auto-battle. The most annoying thing about Disgaea 6. You fight the SAME FREAKING BOSS FOR 14 CHAPTERS. imagine it for 14 chapters fighting same boss. Post game also same with story mode. No creativity, no puzzle like previous series. just grind with auto battle and you good to go. nothing complicated and over simplify.

    Gameplay Mechanism
    Pros
    - Monster can Lift
    - Can Lifting and move at the same time

    Semi-pros? (Some would probably find this feature a good thing, some might find it the killjoy of the game)
    - Auto-battle. I would say this is a killjoy for the game. I mean, disgaea were famous for it insane grinding. I can see it be useful for post game content where as you have to keep repeating the stages for leveling. I think auto-battle should be unlock with after the story mode with some hard to get requirement. otherwise, it defeat the purpose of the game. Would it be a game if it all have been autoed?
    - Auto-repeat. same case with auto-battle

    Cons
    -They cut down so many classes
    -No more weapon skill
    -There are unique character but because of no more weapon skill and each character and classes have their own set of skill. Everyone are unique character lol. no more "generic" character.
    -No more tower attack and animation
    -No more team attack and animation
    -Countering skill, apparently in Disgaea 6 you can counter attack skill.
    -Level, character class level, weapon proficiency level all can be bought to the max using HL. again, it's defeating the purpose of Disgaea grinding system.
    -auto-battle with proper A.I set up make the item world a joke.

    Overall
    -They over simplify the game
    -too much automation. it's like disgaea now become an idle mobile game where you just turn on the game and let it play by itself. no more pleasure of grinding the game and defeating the last post game boss.

    This is what I felt playing Disgaea 6 till post game. Not gonna lie, I even felt wanna drop the games in 1st arc but thinking it would be better eventually when progress, I was wrong

    Well everyone are entitle to their opinion but this my review about the games. yes I am salty with the way the game goes.    … Full Review »
  3. katieelizabeth
    Jul 2, 2021
    3
    I really hate to write a negative review of a Disgaea game, but the 6th entry is by far one of the most disappointing releases. The biggestI really hate to write a negative review of a Disgaea game, but the 6th entry is by far one of the most disappointing releases. The biggest problem I have with the game is that it's exclusive to the Switch in the West, but also manages to run like crap on the hardware. I think it's really anti-consumer to gatekeep the PS4 version from the West when it would have played a lot better than the Switch version (which was clearly not designed with the Switch in mind, let's be honest).

    In Disgaea 6, there is 3 graphic settings, and all of them are unstable - somewhere between 40% to 70% stability, which is frankly embarassing for a game that looks like it should not be struggling on the Switch's hardware. The "Graphics" setting mostly runs at 20fps, but I've seen it dip to 11 and 14fps. This mode is unplayable imo, and I have no idea why it's there. The "Balanced" setting tries to hit 30fps, but it's very choppy as well and it can also dip to 15fps. The "Performance" mode runs mostly around 54-60fps, but it's still very unstable. The worst problem with this mode is how blurry it is. It is a huge shame that this game does not run at 1080p and 60fps like the past entries. I would have even accepted 1080p/30 or 720p/60, but we don't get either.

    I might have given the graphics a pass if this were a heavily discounted game, but this is a full price AAA game - it's unacceptable. And if the developers had a low budget, they really should have charged less than full AAA price like many indies do - there is no excuse. They set themselves for criticism here.

    On top of this, this entry really does feel rushed and lazy. For the environments, many of the areas are repeated multiple times. The gameplay is also very repetitive because you kill the same easy boss at the end of every episode, over and over again. The formula is incredibly repetitive. Disgaea 5 felt like it had many more unique episodes compared to this game.

    In terms the story and characters, I think this is probably the weakest cast that I have played. I enjoyed the characters from Disgaea 1, 4 and 5 a lot more. Melodia actually kind of got very grating to me every time she started singing, just because the delivery of the dialogue was so slow and her singing was constant.

    Ultimately, the game still is Disgaea, so it has the same progression systems and things fans love, but I honestly felt like the game wore out its welcome too quickly and the plot just never interested me at all. I was actually skipping dialogue quite a bit because I just didn't care, and I felt like I saw everything there was to see after about 20 hours, despite knowing there was so much more left to grind out.

    There are some good qualities to the game - most of the voice acting, demonic intelligence, auto-battling, but it's not enough for me to recommend the game. To be honest, the experience was completely forgettable.

    I have no desire to do the post-game - I already burnt out on it after the main story. It is what it is. Sorry I can't review that part, but I don't think it would change my rating.    … Full Review »
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