Dark Cloud: A Classic Action Role-Playing Game
Dark Cloud is a video game that was released in the year 2000. It was developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment. The game was initially intended to be a launch title for the PlayStation 2 system but was eventually released in December 2000 in Japan, May 2001 in North America, and September 2001 in Europe.
Key Features and Gameplay
Dark Cloud is an action role-playing game that combines elements of city-building games. The narrative revolves around a group of adventurers who band together to fight against the Dark Genie, a malevolent entity that has attacked and destroyed numerous villages. The main character of the game is a boy named Toan, who is given a magical stone called the Atlamillia by the fairy king Simba. This stone grants him the power to rebuild the land destroyed by the Dark Genie.
In terms of gameplay, Dark Cloud is played from a third-person perspective, where the player moves through procedurally-generated dungeons, battling monsters, and collecting items. The game’s combat system is a blend of real-time hack and slash, combined with ‘duel’ sequences that require the player to correctly press a sequence of buttons, similar to a quick time event.
A unique aspect of Dark Cloud’s gameplay involves special items called ‘Atla’, which are used to rebuild the world outside the dungeons. The player can arrange these pieces onto the landscape in ‘Georama mode’, a gameplay mode similar to city-building games. The game also features a thirst meter that gradually decreases over time, and when fully depleted, it causes the player’s health meter to start decreasing. This added a survival element to the gameplay, as the player needs to keep their character hydrated to prevent health loss.
Legacy and Reception
Dark Cloud was met with mostly positive reviews upon its release. Critics praised its blend of gameplay elements, although some criticized its repetitive combat. By 2014, the game had sold over a million copies worldwide and was later released for the PlayStation 4 through the PlayStation Network in December 2015. Despite initial poor sales in Japan, Dark Cloud proved to have strong international sales, selling over 800,000 units worldwide.
The game also spawned a sequel, Dark Chronicle (known as Dark Cloud 2 in North America), which was released in 2002 in Japan and worldwide the following year. Dark Cloud’s unique blend of action role-playing and city-building elements, combined with its intriguing narrative and memorable characters, has cemented its place as a classic in the video game landscape.
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