Uncouth, irreverent, and irresistible--Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice sticks close to its predecessors in conjuring anticipation for its unique breed of tactical role-playing. Sophisticated tactical battles come to a new platform as the series makes the leap to PlayStation 3, bringing with it a range of new features that are primed to set the genre on fire. While not everything about this third installment gets enhanced in this new generation, our hands-on time with the game proves NIS America remains relentlessly focused on delivering high quality gameplay to its fans.
At first look, not much differentiates Disgaea 3 from the previous installment on PlayStation 2. Three dimensional stages host intense tactical battles fought by cute sprites. Creative stages and unusual character designs mark a quirky sense of style unique to the series. One battle called "Home Ec. Kitchen" featured combat over a massive pot of stew simmering on an open fire.
More details in environments and characters come through, not to mention the noticeable difference the higher resolution brings (jumping up to 720p from standard definition is a big deal); yet still, the fundamental visuals really haven't changed. You couldn't be blamed for assuming this to be a hold over from the last generation, a port of a PlayStation 2 game aiming to seize next-generation sizzle. Instead, this is a game designed to leverage the capabilities of PlayStation 3 in specific ways from handling more units on the screen to new three dimensional puzzles to network functionality.
"We don't care so much about pushing the graphics," asserts Producer Souhei Niikawa to a shocked assembly. "I want to create a role-playing game that you can play for millions of hours." Disgaea 3 certainly is set along the path of indefinite replay value, boasting more content than its two preceding installments on PlayStation 2.
The seven chapters and finale act that comprise the single player campaign offer only a snapshot of the core experience. A range of downloadable content set for release via PlayStation Network is planned including additional single player chapters, new standalone maps, characters, etc. Not only does this present a nearly limitless avenue for expanding the game post-release, it also signifies Disgaea 3 as an innovator within the tactical role-playing genre for offering downloadable content.
Of course, the campaign still remains the heart of the experience. You follow the bizarre story of a Netherworld Academy student named Mao. In his hopes of becoming the best honor student ever seen at the Academy, he begins to vie for power with the chancellor of the school who incidentally is also his father. Seven chapters chronicle Mao's rise from frosh to super student, each carrying a slate of battles packed with classic tactics and a number of new elements. The controls and basic gameplay is wholly intact, so familiarity with any other tactical role-playing game will give you a head start and make learning the new features that much easier.
