Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance Reviews
One of the most rewarding experiences on the PS4
Overall, for those looking for their Strategy RPG fix, especially on the PS4, should definitely pick up Disgaea 5. The new features make the gameplay experience even better. Of course, the over the top humorous setting of the game, including the story and the characters never ceases to entertain.
Disgaea makes it PS4 debut, and it's brighter than ever
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is another solid entry in a series known for its kooky humor and deep tactical chops. Even with its additions to the core system, the game likely won't change the minds of folks who have fallen out of love with the series in general. For folks looking for a filling and satisfying tactical JRPG, however, Disgaea 5 will be just what the demon lord ordered.
If you liked previous Disgaea games, you would be right at home with Disgaea 5. The gameplay works, and Nippon Ichi Software should be accommodated for not meddling with what was, and still is, solid. That said, I can see how the same experience could be tiresome for returning players. But if you are a newcomer to the series or still can't get enough Prinnys, give Disgaea 5 a chance. An enjoyable adventure awaits you with gameplay that represents the best of the TRPG genre and characters you will remember, long after the credits role.
As a big fan of strategy RPGs, I’m surprised at myself that this is my first foray into the Disgaea franchise. Often hearing of the series' brilliance, I’ve never found myself picking up one to play and I realise now what a great injustice that is. I will say, however, that past knowledge of the series may be a good thing, as the sheer amount of options available to you can be quite daunting. Outside of battles, I found my head spinning at all the possible ways of customising characters and the extra features available. Not to say this is a downside to the game rather a benefit that only adds to the game's long-term appeal. It’s clear that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance has so much to offer that you may never truly achieve 100% completion, but be ready to sink in many hours trying. Even after the main story campaign, there’s just so much to keep you coming back for more; D5 is easily worth the price of admission and then some.
There is a staggering amount of content in Disgaea 5, all serving the central, compelling and nuanced gameplay system. It's enough for Disgaea 5 to grip you, and then not let you go for the next several dozen hours.
Whilst Disgaea features many unique-looking characters that benefit from a HD makeover, the backgrounds and locations are lacking any real finesse and make the game feel fairly dated
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is indeed bigger in every feasible way when compared to previous series iterations. I'm not so sure it's better in every way, though, as the sheer amount of content can feel either muddled or oppressive. There are times when you just sit there, overwhelmed with possibilities and options for your growing party, unsure of what to tackle next.
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.
By making some smart efficiency decisions, it's easy to recommend Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance to newcomers and veterans of the franchise, with some excellent new mechanics and tweaks to old favourites. You can literally sink hundreds of hours into this should you feel the urge. While I didn't really engage with the characters and narrative as much this time around, the action and sheer wealth of content more than made up for it, dood!
If you turn the volume down and skip through the story you'll find yourself with a neat strategic battler that seemingly goes on forever, but it's hard to get by with just that part of a game when you're paying for the full package.
Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance also gives you the ability to dispatch your unused characters on expeditions, so that they don't go to waste while you're away on story missions. It works a little like Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain's Motherbase dispatch missions; you select a number of your characters and send them off to various planets or stars. Upon their return, they present a battle report to you, which outlines the enemies they defeated and captured as well as the skills and items they gained. It's an interesting metagame that adds an additional layer of depth to the core game.
This is the Disgaea you know and love, but with a fresh coat of paint and enough new features to warrant another trip through the Netherworld, dood.
This is by far the best Disgaea game we've seen, and it is a strong contender to be the best tactics RPG ever created.
In terms of game mechanics, Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is possibly the strongest entry in the franchise. Almost every change it makes is for the better, and the core gameplay has been polished and refined in countless ways. While it lacks big changes, it's an excellent example of the Disgaea gameplay and one of the most accessible entries in the series. Whether you're a long-time fan or a newcomer, there's a lot to like here.
Disgaea 5 is an excellent title for any gamer, but the interesting mechanics, impressive visuals, and expansive universe make it a must-play for tactical RPG enthusiasts.
Though it still feels a little familiar, Disgaea 5 freshens up its excellent gameplay with some fun new features.
Disgaea 5 is not the obvious revolution for the series that its predecessor Disgaea 4 was from a graphical standpoint, but it does feature meaningful evolution of the series' gameplay.
Despite a few gripes, I still really enjoy playing Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance, and I plan on playing the "post game" for quite a while.