Dark Cloud | PlayStation 2 | PS2

About the Game

400 Years ago, a war between the Eastern Continent and the Western Wizard Army destroyed the world as a great power was unleashed. Time has passed and in present day, the power-hungry General Flag has organized a ritual to awaken this power once more: the Dark Genie. Barely controlled by a spell, the Dark Genie once again breaks the world, beginning with the village of Norune. The only survivor of Norune is a boy named Toan, son of the great hero Ada.

Story & Setting

Some villagers have additional requests, such as being placed facing the east, for the placement of their homes.

Gameplay & Core Systems

As Toan surveys the destruction, the Spirit King appears and tells him that all is not lost; pieces of the world, including buildings and people, have been sealed away in protective Atla spheres. During his travels, Toan encounters other characters who will offer to aid him and can be switched to during dungeons, with individual statistics and weapons. Items are also found and shared among the party, including restorative items, attack items and general power-ups. Each character has a thirst meter, which much be replenished or health will start to drain. Should a character lose all their health, they will fall in battle and be returned to town unless Stand-In powder is used, in which case that character is unavailable and control passes to another.

Standout Features

• Toan battles with a sword, which can be slashed directly in front of him or powered up for a stronger blow.
• Buildings can be placed down, rotated and moved as need be.
• They can also be upgraded with additional furniture and people (usually the owners of the building).
• Toan's: Each character in Toan's party uses a unique weapon, but several different types of weapon under each category can be collected.
• Absorption: As weapons are used, they gain Absorption (Abs).
• These Abs points are used as "experience" for the weapon and can upgrade the weapon's abilities.
• Each weapon features a number of "slots" to which power-up items can be attached, any items attached to slots will be absorbed when the weapon is upgraded.
• Each weapon has certain attributes which must be improved in order to "build up" to a different type of weapon.

Presentation & Atmosphere

Using a magic glove called the Atlamillia, Toan must resurrect the world and find the powers necessary to defeat the Dark Genie.