carries on that tradition. Ironic, overly dramatic, odd, hilarious and, on occasion, weirdly touching, this game ticks all the Japanese plot boxes. The main character, Sir Killia, is much more mysterious than his predecessor Lord Valvatorez. While our beloved vampire was marvellously eccentric, Killia is a quietly brooding shadow. The change at first feels like a bit of a shock until you twig that it’s Seraphina who provides the obligatory eccentricity. They are completely black and white. Or perhaps black and pink is more accurate. While Killia’s character supplies the story’s mystery and reason to keep moving forward, Seraphina is the central comedic character. Further balancing out Killia’s stoicism is a line-up of other humorous and intensely likable characters. I personally have spongy soft spot for a long-haired, horned and slightly delicate demon with an eye for tactics and manipulation.
If you’re new to the series, don’t worry. You don’t need any previous knowledge or experience. Disgaea 5 takes care of its newcomers very well indeed. I guess it has to. This is the first in the series to be on the PS4 and, disappointingly and heart-crushingly, there is no Vita version. That announcement was a huge blow to Vita fans far and wide. The Vita is a tough little cookie but it just doesn’t have the chocolate chips to cope with this bigger and better Disgaea.
So was the trade off worth it? Did we lose our precious Vita version for nothing or is the PS4 exactly what Disgaea was waiting for? The Vita is made for games like this. Strategic placement, stats, and hours in the item and equipment shops feel as though it belongs on a screen you can hold an inch in front of your nose. Reading text from across the room, despite owning a lovely 47-incher can be a pain in the cataracts. Luckily, Disgaea on the PS4 looks phenomenal. The graphics are bright, crystal clear and sharper than a tiger’s love tap. It’s almost as though I’ve been playing all my other games on a TV coated with a year’s worth of dust and skin particles, and suddenly someone spat on my screen and gave it a damn good polish. This game sparkles. It gleams. It’s absolutely dazzling. No, the Vita couldn’t have managed it and although I hate myself a little bit for saying it, yes, it was worth the trade off.
Conclusion
Sparking graphics, bizarre characters, witty dialogue and a hilarious plotline mean that Disgaea 5 is an SRPG that is leagues ahead of any other on the PS4. With gameplay that is fun, easy to pick up and satisfyingly complex, Disgaea 5 is very very addictive. Disgaea die-hards should be tickled pink by this release, and with its flawless mechanics and polished presentation, it should attract a tidal wave of new players to the series and perhaps to the SRPG genre. It’s a no-brainer and a compulsory purchase. Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is a definite contender for Game of the Year.