SNEAK PEEK - Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance (PS4)

Out of all the game releases scheduled by NISA to release in 2015 (Aside from the new Danganronpa ^_^), "Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance" is the one I'm most excited for. It'll be the sixth installment in the series, but the first to make the leap to new generation consoles, namely the PS4. After reading the press release I'm excited to see the new, and seemingly more dark conflict play out between Netherworld savior 'Killia', and the newly introduced threat that is 'Void Dark'. From the cover image, or box art it looks like the characters may have taken on a more mature visual design this time around. Possibly something akin to 'The Guided Fate Paradox', and 'The Guided Fate Ultimatum'. Along with the art comes a descriptive hint that the usual Disgaea humor will also be making a return, thankfully. It's going to be very interesting to see how the mixture of revenge, and humor will pan out in the plot that is given though.

If you've never played a Disgaea game you'll be glad to know that it is a series rich in content. While some DLC is usually offered up after the initial release the main game offers the player more bang for their buck, and does so without taking from the game's intended experience. In fact you'll find much more bang for your buck with any Disgaea game. As far as the structure, and focus of the game series goes it is what an RPG enthusiast would call an SRPG, or Strategy RPG. It is filled with character classes similar to Square Enix's 'Final Fantasy Tactics' games which help in the quest to build you an army worthy of defeating some of the Netherworld's most monstrous monsters. While there are some similarities like those found in 'Final Fantasy Tactics' Disgaea is still it's own unique SRPG in that it incorporates various unique mechanics to the series that both enhance, and build upon the core campaign gameplay. There's in-depth item management, and boosting as well as explorable Item worlds that act as separate battlefields for enhancing your characters' gear, and weapons. You'll even find a voting system geared towards passing bills which will change certain aspects of gameplay as well as build upon the things offered in-game.

The battles themselves are about as epic, and wacky as an SRPG gets. You can stack characters for added damage, and maneuverability amongst the tiled battlefields as well as utilize character/class specific skills to come out of the battle victorious, and with some loot. Aside from battle you'll get plenty of candid character interactions with sometimes hilarious dialogue as well as episodic chapters meant to tell the current story as you progress, and beat the many battle scenarios set out before you. Hundreds of hours can easily be spent micro-managing everything.

If you are a graphics guru even last-gen's Disgaea games hold up to today's visual standards. The character designs, environments, and art all look visually stunning in a unique anime art style. The various character personalities expressed through voice-overs, and dialogue really bring the provided characters to life. It's not some shallow eye candy filled sexual romp that focuses only on waifu, or husbandu anime stereotypes. Sure it has some of that, but the game's main focus is the given story, and the many epic battles you'll encounter as you grind forth in NISA fashion for the good fight. As I said earlier on I cannot wait to see what 'Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance' is about, and I hope you are equally as excited as I am. Be sure to nab the collector's edition, or limited edition of the game if you can. I know NISA only stocks a small supply, but that they announce when the exclusive editions are being offered up. NISA also offers up said edition exclusively on their website, so keep your eyes peeled for those! If you can't afford to buy an exclusive edition of the game, or miss out on getting one still get the game in it's standard form as it will no doubt be a game that's hard to come by later on down the road!

For those of you looking for a release date you'll find that NISA has "Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance" slated for a Fall release this year! Do not miss out, and if you have to pre-order (which you probably will) to get a copy then do so. I know for a fact retailers aren't too confident in stocking high numbers of JRPGs, so you've gotta do what you've gotta do.