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Disgaea DS
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Disgaea DS

200878/100
Role-playing (RPG)StrategyTurn-based strategy (TBS)Tactical

Fantasy

Disgaea DS is a riot of absurd numbers and tactical depth, built around the core loop of grinding and experimentation. Its appeal lies in the freedom to break the game's systems, whether by stacking absurd stat boosts or creating an army of high-level units. The story, a self-aware parody of JRPG tropes, provides a lighthearted contrast to the complex mechanics, making it easy to sink hours into the pursuit of the ultimate power fantasy.

About Disgaea DS

Details
The story of Disgaea opens with Laharl rising out of an open coffin in his room. Etna, one of the castle vassals, is standing next to him, surrounded by various weapons. She explains that he has been sleeping for two years, far longer than he intended, and his father, King Krichevskoy, has died. Laharl vows to reclaim the throne, and, after consulting with Etna and his other vassals, goes to Vyers' castle. After defeating the demon Vyers, who refers to himself as the "Dark Adonis" and is renamed "Mid-Boss" by Laharl, he meets Angel Trainee Flonne. Flonne had been sent to the Netherworld by Seraph Lamington, the ruler of Celestia, to assassinate King Krichevskoy (who was already dead). Shocked by Laharl's lack of grief at his father's death, the eternally optimistic Flonne joins Laharl's party to determine if demons are capable of feeling love. Observing them in secret is the paranoid Archangel Vulcanus, who interprets Flonne's actions as treason and is convinced that she is plotting against him. After Etna demands that Laharl pay the salary of the Prinnies that she has hired, he decides to attack the demon with the most money in the vicinity. This is Hoggmeiser at Dinero Palace. After defeating Hoggmeiser, Laharl is about to kill him, until Hoggmeiser's son rushes out and gets in the way. Flonne convinces Laharl to spare them, and Laharl lets them keep some of the money. In response to this act, Hoggmeiser joins the party. At one point, Flonne and Etna discover a photograph of Laharl in an embarrassing situation. Laharl refers to this as a "paparazzi shot", however, the actual contents of the photo are never actually revealed. A threat on the back of the photograph states that copies of it would be distributed if Laharl did not accept a challenge to fight for the overlordship; thus Laharl was blackmailed. Responding to this challenge, Laharl meets Maderas, a vampire. He was banished by King Krichevskoy, for stealing the King's favorite snack, black pretzels. Maderas takes advantage of Laharl's two biggest weaknesses – optimism and women with sexy bodies. Maderas was also controlling Etna by holding her memory. He had instructed her to kill the prince, but she had put him to sleep for two years by poisoning him instead. Etna eventually betrays Maderas, and along with Laharl, Flonne, and Mid-Boss, defeats him. Waking up later at night, Flonne discovers that several Prinnies are chanting and leaving the castle. Laharl, worried that his reputation will be tarnished if it is discovered that he let his vassals escape, chases after them the next morning. Eventually, he runs into Death, and the player learns that Big Sis Prinny is actually Laharl's mother; she became a Prinny because she gave her life to save him.

Top 4 Alternatives to Disgaea DS

1
Rating
Critic & community
93
Match
Recommendation strength
91%

Final Fantasy Tactics: The War of the Lions

2007 · Role-playing (RPG)

If Disgaea DS's grid-based combat and deep character customization appealed to you, this game offers a similarly intricate tactical RPG experience, but with a more serious, politically charged narrative and a job system that allows for incredible strategic depth.

Why recommended

  • Features complex, grid-based tactical combat with a strong emphasis on unit positioning, elevation, and character abilities, akin to Disgaea's strategic battles.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is inherent in its intricate job system and demanding battles, requiring careful planning and character builds to overcome.
  • Criteria — Singleplayer experience with a rich, branching narrative and deep character progression through a versatile job class system.
2
Rating
Critic & community
90
Match
Recommendation strength
88%

While set in a different universe, this game offers the same blend of deep tactical turn-based combat, extensive character development, and a compelling narrative as Disgaea DS, but with a unique school-life simulation aspect.

Why recommended

  • Engages players with strategic, grid-based turn-based combat where unit placement, weapon triangle mechanics, and character skills are crucial for victory.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is present through various difficulty settings and permadeath options, forcing meticulous tactical planning.
  • Criteria — Designed primarily as a Singleplayer experience, offering a long and engaging story with multiple paths and character interactions.
3
Rating
Critic & community
91
Match
Recommendation strength
85%

For fans of Disgaea DS's intricate tactical combat and dark fantasy themes, Tactics Ogre offers a similarly deep and challenging experience, focusing on moral choices and a complex narrative within a rich, detailed world.

Why recommended

  • Offers highly strategic, turn-based tactical combat on an isometric grid, emphasizing unit customization, class progression, and environmental factors.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is a core aspect, requiring careful party composition, unit management, and tactical execution to overcome tough battles.
  • Criteria — A robust Singleplayer campaign with a branching narrative and impactful moral choices that influence the story and available units.
4
Rating
Critic & community
82
Match
Recommendation strength
80%

This game captures the essence of classic tactical RPGs like Disgaea DS with its deep class system, challenging encounters, and a compelling fantasy narrative, all presented with a charming hand-drawn art style.

Why recommended

  • Features deep tactical turn-based combat on an isometric grid, allowing for extensive character customization through a multi-class system and a wide array of abilities.
  • Criteria — Challenging Difficulty is a hallmark, with battles requiring thoughtful strategy and character builds, especially on higher difficulty settings.
  • Criteria — A dedicated Singleplayer experience with a strong story and a focus on character progression and tactical combat encounters.

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