Dark Cloud 2

by Sony

Product Features

• An epic action/RPG adventure that allows you to build and explore as well as do battle
• Rebuild lands with an enhanced Georama feature that allows you to recreate worlds in greater detail with more items and flexibility
• Offers more than 100 hrs. of monster-crushing and dungeon-exploring gameplay
• New battle system features blocking, dodging, short-range attacks and long-range attacks

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B00006Z7HR
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Media: Video Game
• Release Date: February 19, 2003
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (122 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,385 in Video Games (See Top 100 in Video Games)
  • #22 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > Action
  • #50 in Video Games > PlayStation 2 > All Games
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com

What's creepier than a sinister clown? Nothing, as it turns out, which is probably why the makers of Dark Cloud 2 made their evil villain a member of the circus family. After all, a clown who lifts the town's friendly mayor off his feet--with a strangle hold--is not to be messed with.

Welcome to the world of Dark Cloud 2. Stylistically, it resembles a Holly Hobbie Colorforms set. All the characters are of childlike proportions, and the village's Tudor buildings seem pried from a Yorkshire hamlet. While Maximillian, the preteen hero, wanders around his hometown, Parisian accordion MIDI music serenades him. Though this is not a kid's game (it carries a Teen ESRB rating), gamers who are put off by kitschy/cute nuances should beware--this game is loaded with them.

But at its heart, Dark Cloud 2 is a wonderfully solid RPG. Its story has three main elements: Max's lost mother, the secret of what's going on outside the village, and why the evil clown wants Max's red stone pendant. Fighting takes place in real time, unlike the turn-based fighting in the similar Final Fantasy series. This was a good decision on behalf of the designers, as was the attention to weapon customizing. And if you love to manage inventory (there aren't many RPG fans that don't), this is your game. Not only can Max's weapons be upgraded, but by taking pictures and tinkering, he can create tools from scratch, in seemingly endless variations.

There's so much more to this game than can be described in any review. Along the way, for example, Max meets up with Monica, a princess from the future. He may build a village using the Georama system, or he may just want to do a little fishing--to say more would be to spoil the fun, but you get the idea. You'll just have to discover it all--and there is a tremendously rich world here--on your own. --Jennifer Buckendorff

Pros:

• Multi-layered world with strong replayability
• Intuitive game controls
• Strong inventory management and interesting items
• Great, playful aspects, like Steve the "ridepod"

Cons:

• Painfully slow, almost hour-long introduction
• Some repetitiveness in weapon upgrading and dungeon maps
• Hokey gestures and dialogue

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I was addicted!, March 12, 2003

By 

Frederick M. Segrest (Huntsville, AL United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Dark Cloud 2 (Video Game)

Until I beat this game, I was playing it for about 5 hours a day, which is unusual for me. It took me at least 50 hours to beat it. I am a veteran 26-year-old gamer.

While the original Dark Cloud was sort of a Zelda 64 clone, this new one has many new innovations that make it a huge improvement over the first (which was a fun game as well, actually). The two most noticable improvements are the cel-shaded graphics and the fact that the weapons don't break permanently (good news).

The voice-overs are pretty good, although there are probably too many cut scenes. The combat is action-oriented, and fun, for the most part. All in all, this game is more deep and entertaining than you might think. There is not much to complain about, and it is a welcome addition to the Playstation 2 library!

49 of 52 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazingly fun adventure-RPG, March 1, 2003

By 

Lisa Shea "medieval swordfighting enthusiast" - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Dark Cloud 2 (Video Game)

Dark Cloud 2 picks up where the original left off - but adds in so many enhancements, mini-games and improvements that it's far more than just a sequel.

First off, the graphics and sound engine have gotten a HUGE revamping. The cel shading used for the characters is stunning, and you can customize the hat, outfit and even shoes your character wears. Playing the game is like watching a movie, complete with a title sequence and music.

There are the dungeons to explore, with multiple levels and various 'medals' to win by doing special feats on each level. You're given incentive to go back and replay them to achieve all of the special requirements.

There are your weapons, which you can customize in various ways, build up into better levels and combine together. There are towns that have vanished that you have to rebuild, adding in an animal crossing/sim feel that lets you wander around the town you have built and admire your achievements.

There are so many built in subgames that the game can literally keep you occupied for months. There is fishing. Sure, you say, you can fish in several other games. But in this fishing world, you can sell your fish. You can eat them. You can put them in your aquarium! Each fish is different. Now you can watch them interact with other fish, or even breed them!

There's picture taking while you explore your world. But the snapshots aren't just used for decoration. There are multiple characters to work together, each with his or her own special strengths. There is time travel.

Highly recommended for any adventure-RPG loving game player!

31 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Dark Cloud 2 is a huge improvement over the original, February 24, 2003

By 

skittlesdfw (Richardson, TX USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Dark Cloud 2 (Video Game)

I played the original Dark Cloud for several weeks before I grew bored with it. Dark Cloud 1's gaming system was complex, repetitive, and too convoluted to impress most gamers.

Enter the sequel. Dark Cloud 2 takes place in a world separate from the original, and it shows. The game features cel shaded graphics, offering it a very rich "cartoon" look, which managed to impress me. Most cel-shaded games seem like they're engineered for kids, but not this one.

Dark Cloud 2 almost seems like a game from a different series, rather than a sequel to Dark Cloud 1. The storyline is complex, lengthy, and diverse. The gameplay is simplistic, yet satisfying. The in-game music is rich and memorable. There's a plethora of mini-games to keep you entertained between missions.

The best part of this game, however, is the in-game Help system. There's a tutorial for just about everything in the game, and each tutorial provides clear and precise directions for everything. There's even a full voiceover from one of the game's many characters to assist you.

For the [price offered], Dark Cloud 2 is well worth the investment. Fans of the original, plus those that enjoy "Hack and Slash" games like Legend of Zelda and Kingdom Hearts will find their money well spent.