REVIEW

Disgaea 5 Complete Review

by Rob Pritchard, May 17th, 2017

When a new console arrives on the scene, developers often decide to choose the best titles from previous consoles to port to the new system, usually including all previously released DLC as an added incentive. This is certainly the case with Nippon Ichi Software, who have decided to port Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance to the Nintendo Switch, under the new moniker of Disgaea 5 Complete.

After Void Dark, a newly crowned demon emperor, begins to destroy several of the Netherworlds with his powerful army known as The Lost, a demon named Killia teams with up with a sheltered Overlord by the name of Seraphina to rise up against Void Dark, and take revenge on the atrocities he has caused. Along their journey, they will recruit other Overlords and supernatural creatures that are sympathetic to their cause of revenge. Although the story sounds quite macabre, it is all very tongue in cheek, and the comedic situations that take place are indicative of a typical Japanese role playing game in the best possible way.

The basic goal of Disgaea 5 is to lead your squad of various demonic beings such as succubae, vampires, werewolves and former criminal penguin-like creatures known as Prinnies into battle, and defeat the foes that inhabit each stage. Like its predecessors, Disgaea 5 uses a turn based RPG fighting system, and requires you to use the numerous grid spaces effectively to obtain the best ranking at the end of each stage. When you are not facing the hordes of monsters in each stage, you will return to a hub world, which contains your standard item and weapon shops, a hospital area and a portal that takes you to the level select screen.

As well as recruiting new supernatural allies to your cause, you can also equip your current team with new types of weapons such as guns, axes and spears. It is also possible to equip new accessories to increase your characters vital stats such as armor, glasses and emblems. One of the best features of this system, is that they can be made more effective by clearing the optional levels in the Item World area. The complete subtitle attached to this edition of Disgaea 5 is well deserved, as the Nintendo Switch version of the game includes all the downloadable story episodes and additional characters that were released via the PlayStation Store. Most of the extra characters are definitely helpful in the later stages of the game, but some of the extra episodes are definitely focused on fan service rather than substantial post story content, as they centre on previous protagonists from the Disgaea series such as the vampire Valvatorez from Disgaea 4.The game uses the same brightly coloured anime graphical style that the older Disgaea titles have used, except they are now formatted to display in full high definition. Whether in docked or portable mode, the frame rate never seems to take any significant hits, and the loading times between areas are sometimes a little bit faster than its original PlayStation 4 release, even with the PS4 Pro’s Boost Mode being enabled.

The Disgaea series has always included a vibrant soundtrack with each new instalment, and Disgaea 5 Complete continues this tradition. From the opening title screen music to the various interludes that play during battle scenes, there is rarely a tune that feels that it doesn’t belong where it has been placed. The original game offered the choice of English or Japanese voice acting, and this option has been included in the Complete edition as well. Both of the voice tracks are of a high quality, particularly the light hearted musings of Seraphina, and the long suffering Prinnies who are forced to say the word “dood” at the end of every sentence.

Overall, Disgaea 5 Complete is the definitive edition of one of 2017’s most competent RPG’s. Its colourful graphics, addictive battle system and wacky smirk inducing storylines will keep you coming back time and time again. If you own a Nintendo Switch and are looking for a title to scratch that JRPG itch, then Disgaea 5 Complete is a game that you cannot afford to miss.