Think about me, an up-and-coming online game author, getting the chance to cowl a sport known as Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless with no prior information of the collection in any way. I don’t find out about you guys, however I believe the Quick and Livid franchise has predisposed me to imagine that an countless variety of sequels is nothing greater than a milking machine, with a cow removed from its glory days as a, properly, cow. Furthermore, it isn’t even the seventh entry in the principle line of Disgaea video games! (You possibly can thank Disgaea D2 for that). And whereas I’m a fan of the RPG style – leaning extra towards motion RPG – I haven’t had the best tactical RPG expertise of all.
And whereas many might imagine this might impair my capacity to benefit from the sport, I noticed it as a possibility. Many opinions are likely to get overly technical and have a tendency to view a sport from a serious franchise and examine it instantly to what has been proven earlier than. Nonetheless, taking the sport for what’s price is what I attempt to do at any time when I get my palms on a sport. And boy did I take pleasure in this one, and boy was it a shock that I couldn’t have anticipated. I’ve the sensation that the Disgaea franchise is now growing older like wine, and Disgaea 7 would possibly simply as properly be a Heitz Cellar Cabernet Sauvignon – a premium wine, in different phrases.
A Very Easy, But Lighthearted Story

Bushido is a set of customs, manners, and habits, a code of ethical conduct from the Edo interval linked deeply with the samurai. When you would possibly as properly join it with the fashionable and Western ideas of chivalry, it’s additional associated to ideas comparable to martial arts mastery and the idea of honor till demise. Facets of bushido are nonetheless utilized in modern-day Japan, and it’s the essential focus of Disgaea 7, that includes a Japanese-like Netherworld known as Hinomoto that has forsaken the values of bushido altogether in favor of strict materialism and disrespect for custom.
This isn’t a revolution by way of story or setting, however this can be very well-executed thanks to 2 essential characters: Fuji and Pirilika. The previous is a superb illustration of Hinomoto’s present standing, whereas the latter is the idealistic thought of Hinomoto’s legend as a land of warriors, with bushido as its basis stone. One is a literal demon, the opposite is the harmless proprietor of a multi-billion HL (the sport’s foreign money) firm. You may anticipate them to not take care of one another, however their fixed interplay was full of what I might describe as a mix of foolish but completely positioned jokes – Fuji coughing blood as a result of him being allergic to empathy, or Pirilika’s complete incapability to precisely recite fashionable sayings are two hilarious issues – and an amazing instance of extremes coming collectively to maneuver the story ahead.
Can I Play It? (Sure, I Can)

Like I mentioned above, I’m not the most important skilled in tactical role-playing video games. To be sincere, I did really feel overwhelmed initially, however the best way the sport introduces its many mechanics allowed me to study them within the time I used to be naturally capable of full the subsequent degree within the story. And whereas my tactical chops are removed from being refined – not even Hell Mode might save me – I did really feel the distinction from being a button-mashing noob to creating 9000+ IQ strikes on the fly. I can solely thank the builders that every one the totally different modes will not be obtainable from the beginning, in any other case, I might not have spent the mandatory consideration to all of them or make the very best out of each one in every of their capabilities.
There’s quite a lot of new additions to the Disgaea formulation comparable to Hell Mode and Jumbification, that are two mechanics that greater than breaking the sport, add a brand new depth to a sport that already has the whole lot it must work. Not going to lie, the primary time I enabled Hell Mode I felt the affect of the character’s strikes, making it extraordinarily satisfying to do away with apparently invincible enemies. Jumbification, alternatively, appears like a Closing Smash of kinds that may punish your enemy – and even they are going to punish you – with kaiju ranges of harm, changing technique with uncooked energy. It has its place, and whereas I nonetheless favor the best way the sport makes use of technique to finish the degrees in some ways you possibly can think about, some large assaults are all the time welcomed in my guide.
Lastly, the Merchandise World is a mode that’s entertaining and essential as properly. Diving into an alternate actuality inside our favourite objects and weapons to degree them up? Name me impressed. Whereas many might really feel a bit discouraged by the grindy nature of this mode – and likewise by the truth that each character could be leveled as much as degree 9999 – it’s the similar grind that’s a part of the franchise, and whereas it isn’t essential my cup of tea, I might see many gamers having fun with this.
A World Constructed With Ardour

Taking part in the sport was nearly flawless on my half. The graphics is not going to fry your PS5 or 4090, however I did really feel some stuttering whereas touring via Pirilika’s ship, principally the hub world of the sport. Furthermore, I did discover a very bizarre glitch as soon as I began Episode 1, with the display studying Episode 15. It’s a quite simple factor and, regardless of the sport being obtainable for a substantial time, no patch has been capable of repair it. These two issues had been the one ones that broke my immersion within the sport, and truthfully, I sin a bit for nitpicking, however that’s how I felt.
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Nonetheless, the sport’s artwork, character design, character animations, and sound design – together with the voice performing which has grown to me with time – make Disgaea 7 a deal with for each the attention and the ear. Though, I would say that the little in-game melodies looping to eternity might really feel a bit annoying. Nonetheless, my thoughts being engaged with the tactical points of every flip made me not really feel that manner fairly as usually as I would’ve anticipated.
The number of totally different character courses that you may recruit was astonishing and really properly crafted to the purpose that it serves the very nature of the sport completely – that’s, having the ability to stroll your method to victory in any manner potential. Mix that with the numerous totally different degree designs and mechanics and you’ll have enjoyable for hours and hours to come back.

The Verdict
Total, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a superb sport in itself and an impressive entry to the franchise. Whereas a few of its new options could make your expertise a bit saturated and a few stability points might take you out of the expertise, I imagine we now have discovered the right Disgaea sport for individuals who haven’t touched the franchise in any way. Why? Properly, that’s my case, and I really feel like I can doubtlessly begin to play extra Disgaea video games in addition to strategic video games basically. And imagine me, I understand how reluctant I’m to alter my gaming habits, and for me to say that may be a large assertion.
In the event you get the prospect, don’t doubt that you’ll have a great time with Disgaea 7. Properly, so long as you aren’t allergic to empathy after all.
This sport was reviewed utilizing a duplicate of the sport offered by the sport’s writer,public relations firm, developer or different for the specific function of a evaluate.
– This text was up to date on October thirteenth, 2023