GAMES: GameSpot | GameFAQs MUSIC: Last.fm | MP3.com MOVIES: Metacritic | Movietome TV: TV.com
Home | About Metacritic | About Metascores | What's New | Wireless Versions | Discussion Forums | Advertising Inquiries | Contact Us | RSS
Metacritic.com: We Deal With Criticism
     Help
> Switch to Advanced Search  
Film Video/DVD Music Games TV

Games

Playstation Reviews
PS3 | PS2 | PS One | PSP

Xbox Reviews
Xbox 360 | Xbox

Nintendo Reviews
Wii | DS | GBA | Cube | N64


PC | N-Gage | Dreamcast

How Metascores Are Calculated
Discuss Games In Our Forums

 

Upcoming & Recent Releases

sort by name sort by score

Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.



Printer-Friendly Version Email This Page Discuss In Our Forums
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories ps2 Game Reviews
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories
Critic Score
Metascore: 84 Metascore out of 100
User Score  
8.1 out of 10
based on 54 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
based on 7 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game

Darkness is back. Overlord Zenon has cursed the land, and now, Veldime is transforming into a nasty Netherworld. Memories are sterlized, bodies demonized, the world is falling into chaos. The only one unaffected is a young man, Adell. He stands up to fight the curse, but things never go as planned. The haughty daughter of Zenon, a filthy little frog, lovable demon siblings and a washed-up rock star!? No one can ever predict what goes on in the world of Disgaea. And of course, other Overlords refuse to sit still watching. [NIS America]

PUBLISHER: NIS America
DEVELOPER: Nippon Ichi Software
GENRE(S): Role-Playing Game
PLAYERS: 1
ESRB RATING: T (Teen)
RELEASE DATE: August 29, 2006

What The Critics Said

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100
TotalPlayStation
There is no better value for your buck than getting a game that supports HUNDREDS of hours of play time, and Disgaea 2 does that. The sheer amount of character building and fantastic humor all make for a game that you WANT to play for that long too.
Read Full Review
100
Into Liquid Sky
Disgaea 2 is certainly a game that stat whores will waste hours on. You can get to ridiculous levels and do attacks that would make Final Fantasy lose it's lunch.
Read Full Review
98
netjak
Nippon Ichi has done the impossible with Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories – taking a successful game and improving it on every count for the sequel. The battle system was tweaked in just the right ways, the graphics and sound were improved, and the new story is deep and faithful to the style of the series without copying too much from Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. The result is what will probably be best game of 2006.
Read Full Review
98
Gaming Target
It comes to gameplay Disgaea 2 is far superior to any of NI’s previous works.
Read Full Review
96
AtomicGamer
Buy this game. Now.
Read Full Review
94
Worth Playing
It is proven that if you give Disgaea 2 a bit of your time, it can swallow your life. Submit to its will.
Read Full Review
94
GamingTrend
This is a solid contender for RPG of the year (along with "Oblivion" and the unreleased "Final Fantasy XII"), and is easily the best SRPG to come along since Disgaea itself, if not Final Fantasy Tactics.
Read Full Review
93
Console Gameworld
The bottom line is that if you loved the original Disgaea, chances are you will love Disgaea 2 with a burning passion.
Read Full Review
92
VGPub
Better sound, more strategy and more of those lovable psychotic penguins is what you’ll find contained in this single disc game.
Read Full Review
91
Gaming Age
A SRPG player’s dream. A person could spend hours just wandering around the item worlds leveling up characters and items, or one could just go straight through the game without turning back.
Read Full Review
91
GameShark
Disgaea 2 is ultimately about the characters you create, the battles you fight, the equipment you improve, and the party you level up and kit out. Like many of the best games -- Civilization, X-Com, Diablo, Pirates -- Disgaea 2 is about the story you create in the playing.
Read Full Review
90
Yahoo! Games
If you're not having fun, you just plain don't like tactical RPGs.
Read Full Review
90
GameZone
Anyone who’s played "Fire Emblem" or the original Disgaea must know by now that this is a must-own strategy/RPG.
Read Full Review
90
Play Magazine
Fans of the original will need little convincing, but for the rest of you, trust me when I say this game's well worth your time. [Aug 2006, p.57]
90
EuroGamer
Nippon Ichi's games are good but Disgaea is undeniably the best. While some might begrudge the ostensible dumbing down with the return to grids and more tightly controlled play (there's no chucking enemies off the maps into oblivion or picking up map furniture as impromptu weaponry here) in reality this makes the game more accessible, more easily understood and ultimately more fun.
Read Full Review
90
eToychest
Its difficulty and sometimes confusing nature continues to keep the game from being appropriate for newcomers to the genre itself, but memorable characters and dialog, deceptively deep mechanics, and a promise of future sequels make this series, the flagship of Nippon Ichi and NIS America, one of the crowning achievements of this console generation.
Read Full Review
90
Thunderbolt
You know what the weird thing is? I hate RPGs with a passion. Yet there’s something about this game that just works.
Read Full Review
90
games(TM)
This is an intimidating prospect for the casual PS2 gamer, but a worthwhile purchase for anyone who derived any pleasure from any tactical RPG on any platform. [Oct 2006, p.122]
90
Gamestyle
Putting an estimate on how many hours you would need to devote to the game to complete everything is both pointless and a little scary to imagine, but we dare say that someone out there in a very dimly lit room will be attempting it. Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a joy to behold, you can dip into it for a short time or lose several years of your life.
Read Full Review
90
IC-Games
If you are a serious player then another slice of deep role-playing may be appropriate, personally I didn’t feel devoid of this in my life (God knows I felt I could still squeeze more out of the original instalment!) enough to need Disagea 2, but then again I do also review a wide-ranging portfolio of games, those who purely RPG are likely to see this as a second coming.
Read Full Review
88
Game Informer
Like its predecessor, Disgaea 2 isn't for everyone. If sinking 40-plus hours into a game just to see the basic ending and none of the secret or hidden content doesn't appeal to you, feel free to pass on by. But if dropping dozens of hours into leveling up for the sake of having obscenely powerful characters sounds good, or you're looking for some fun tactical battles and a clever story, I can't recommend this highly ennough. [Sept. 2006, p.92]
87
RPG Fan
If you want a short, fun, quirky, and sometimes sentimental Strategy RPG that knows its market and takes jabs at it with impeccable humor, you should get Disgaea 2. If you'd prefer a game that allows you to play for hours on end (like, over 200 hours) with new events to keep your interest now and then, but you don't want it to be an MMORPG, then get Disgaea 2.
Read Full Review
87
PSX Extreme
It’s a fantastic game, to be sure, but it’s catering to a very specific set of gamers.
Read Full Review
87
Pelit (Finland)
Does not offer anything drastically new compared to its predecessor. An excellent strategy-RPG, nonetheless. [Jan 2007]
87
Just RPG
Even though the characters aren’t quite as interesting as those seen in the original, Disgaea 2 remains one of the best strategy-RPGs out there.
Read Full Review
85
GamerNode
At its core, this game is very similar to the first adventure, but there are enough improvements to at least make THIS title your new addiction and give you a reason to (finally) set Disgaea on the shelf for a little while.
Read Full Review
85
PGNx Media
The game includes a solid 40 hours of gameplay for the main story line, but you can get countless other hours building up your characters and exploring every bit of the game.
Read Full Review
85
Game Chronicles
Like America's own Blizzard Entertainment, Nippon Ichi Software is a developer that takes what other people first thought of and makes it so polished, so addictive and so fun that there's no way any fan of the tactical RPG genre won't enjoy what they have to offer.
Read Full Review
85
PALGN
Still as life-draining as the original. It'll suck you in for hours upon hours, only to let you go when you need to have a toilet break.
Read Full Review
85
IGN
An awesome strategy title that manages to provide an obscene level of depth and strategy with at least 8 endings, hundreds of characters to create or discover, a new court system and an additional Shadow World on top of the Item World.
Read Full Review
85
DailyGame
Simply put, NIS America's latest tactical role-playing game is a must-have for genre fans, but a little too extreme for the common gamer.
Read Full Review
83
Play UK
Considerably better, more balanced and ultimately enjoyable than either the first title or the abysmal sister title from Nippon Ichi Software. [Issue 144, p.79]
82
GameSpot
Just like the first Disgaea, this strategy role-playing game is best suited for fans of other stuff like it, and it's chock-full of depth, lasting value, and surprisingly good humor.
Read Full Review
82
Jolt Online Gaming UK
The stylish look and off-the-wall story certainly make up for a lack of hardcore role-playing depth.
Read Full Review
81
PSM3 Magazine UK
A very, very good game, but only for those willing to dedicate a large chunk of their life to it. Hardcore types, basically. [Nov 2006, p.87]
80
Gamezilla!
The gameplay is deep, fun and exciting but to fully enjoy it you’ll also have to enjoy manipulating some unintuitive and at times dense mechanics. Nippon Ichi’s writing and humor is top notch, but as with the gameplay, its wackiness might turn some people off.
Read Full Review
80
NTSC-uk
The complexities of the customisations and battle tactics available in this sequel are as huge as ever and although this is largely the same game with only a few tweaks; these tweaks work well. Disgaea fans will rejoice.
Read Full Review
80
ZTGameDomain
Exactly what fans of the genre want. A solid SRPG that takes everything the original did right, tweak it, and throw in enough subtle nuances to make it feel fresh.
Read Full Review
80
Gaming Horizon
Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a fun trip for anyone who enjoys a light-hearted RPG that utilizes a lovely dose of deviant humor.
Read Full Review
80
GamePro
Still, the rock-solid strategy and engaging character developement system make Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories a strong contender for tactical RPG crown regardless of its audio/visual shortcomings. [Oct. 2006, p.99]
Read Full Review
80
Deeko
I think I found myself enjoying the original game more than the sequel simply due to the story, which is simply a tad bit better.
Read Full Review
80
G4 TV
It’s been said that tactical RPGs are similar to recreational drugs. If that’s the case then Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is definitely not a gateway drug. The gameplay is almost too complex and deep for newcomers. However, if you’re already addicted to this genre or are interested in it then this game will keep you hooked for a long, long time.
Read Full Review
80
Gaming Nexus
The only problem that it really has is that there is nothing terribly new here.
Read Full Review
80
Games Radar
The sense of danger is there, as are the endless arenas for customization, but the best part will always be the characters and their dead-on voice work.
Read Full Review
80
PSM Magazine
It's got drama, humor, and crazy characters, which will keep you coming back for more. [Oct 2006, p.79]
76
Games Master UK
A sweet RPG with a wicked centre - well worth giving a punt. [Oct 2006, p.84]
75
Detroit Free Press
The story and characters just don't have the magic of the first game. Still, Disgaea 2 is an incredible value for your gaming dollar. Hard-core RPG players will love it; it might be an acquired taste for others.
Read Full Review
72
Electronic Gaming Monthly
If you regularly immerse yourself in the crazy s*** that comes out of Japan, Disgaea 2 probably won't faze you. Everybody else: You've been warned. [Sept. 2006, p.99]
Read Full Review
70
Official Playstation 2 Magazine UK
Restrictive and ponderous in places but more often immense and rewarding. Disgaea 2 is an underrated RPG with surprisingly commendable depth. [Oct 2006, p.104]
70
Edge Magazine
It's a whole that still offers an intricate series of diversions - some old, some new - but one that has lost some sparkle, despite its sharper, more colourful looks. Most players will get sick of Disgaea 2 long before Disgaea 2 gets sick of them. [Sept 2006, p.80]
70
GameSpy
For the right kind of player, the multiple endings, secret characters, extra bosses, and obscene potential for stats and damage (a Japanese strategy guide published a record of over two billion points) could provide a pleasurable diversion that can literally last hundreds of hours. It is, however, something that's definitely not for everyone.
Read Full Review
70
Digital Entertainment News
Ultimately, the combination of familiar game mechanics, a lack of progression on the graphical side of things, and a story and characters that mostly fail to live up to the game’s predecessors all add up to a bit of a disappointment, and while the gameplay here is still very solid, this game is still difficult to recommend.
Read Full Review
70
AceGamez
The deepest RPG I've ever played. There's so much going on under the surface, so much to do and find, so many characters to create and train, and so many, many battlefields to conquer, all of which adds up to one of the best value for money games you could ever purchase - that is if you're not put off by the clumsy dialogue, often daft story events and rudimentary presentation, which some will see as charming and others as just plain poor.
Read Full Review
65
1UP
Disgaea 2 adds only one significant new feature to its gameplay: the ability of stacked characters to attack.
Read Full Review

What Our Users Said

Vote Now! The average user rating for this game is 8.1 (out of 10) based on 7 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Hugh gave it an8:
Gameplay is incredible, the story is pretty boring, the graphic is lousy. The game takes hundreds of hours. Value for the money.

Luis L. gave it a10:
You can't deny it, it's awesome.

Slade W. gave it a10:
This game rocks just like the first.

Tyler R. gave it a10:
The game is a fleshed out more polished version of the hit Disgaea: Hour of Darkness. It'll provide hundreds of hours of gameplay, multiple endings and a lot of features that weren't included in the first. Some of which are: The dark sun, new character animations, friendlier interface, more fleshed out and useful item world with many more surprises, many different creatures and classes, a more solid dark assembly system that gets extremely interesting and deep once you start befriending certain parties and becoming the enemies of others. Don't let anyone that hasn't played deep enough to see past the 'stacking' attack fool you. There are so many features in this game that going through it the first time simply isn't enough to see them all, even just the new ones. And you can expect an adult themed humurous and deep storyline, capable of competing with the first, on top of all that.

Discuss this game in our forums

Return to top of page
Home | FILM | DVD/VIDEO | MUSIC | GAMES | TV | Forums | About Metacritic metacritic.com

Popular on CBS sites: iPhone 3G | Fantasy Football | Moneywatch | Antivirus Software | Recipes | E3 2009

About CBS Interactive | Jobs | Advertise

© 2009 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use