Disgaea 1 Complete Game Cover
Disgaea: Hour of Darkness was undoubtedly one of the best games ever released for the PS2.

"Disgaea 1 Complete" is a single-player RPG with an engaging plot and extensive gameplay, offering around 1

  • Nintendo Switch
  • Play​station 4
  • Play​station 5
  • Play​Station

Reviews

87%
Audience ScoreBased on 122 reviews
gameplay9 positive mentions
grinding10 negative mentions
  • Disgaea 1 Complete offers a charming and humorous story with lovable characters, making it a great introduction to the series for newcomers.
  • The game features upgraded graphics and animations, enhancing the visual experience while maintaining the classic gameplay that fans love.
  • It provides countless hours of entertainment with deep strategic gameplay and a variety of ways to customize and build your team.
  • The game is essentially a port of the original with minimal changes, lacking many quality-of-life improvements found in later titles.
  • New players may find the complex systems and steep learning curve overwhelming, requiring additional resources to fully enjoy the game.
  • There are reports of game crashes and technical issues that can disrupt gameplay, particularly during lengthy grinding sessions.
  • gameplay26 mentions

    The gameplay of Disgaea 1 Complete retains its classic mechanics, offering a nostalgic experience for longtime fans, but lacks the quality-of-life improvements found in more recent entries like Disgaea 5. While the core gameplay remains engaging and strategic, the absence of new features may deter newcomers, as the game feels like a visually enhanced port rather than a fully updated title. Overall, it provides hours of content and addictive gameplay, though some outdated mechanics may not appeal to all players.

    • “The item world has provided me with great upgrades (innocents) for my weapons; it is just a great mechanic.”
    • “The game can be hard to get into at first, but once you understand the unique mechanics, you'll be addicted to it.”
    • “With great strategic gameplay full of crazily exaggerated moves and all sorts of options and content to unlock, there is plenty of reason to stick with it and spend countless hours in the netherworld.”
    • “As the title says, the gameplay and mechanics remain unchanged; however, the sprites have received the HD makeover, although many of them are reused assets from Disgaea 5.”
    • “It has nothing new, no updated mechanics, nothing.”
    • “Once again, none of these nitpicks are deal breakers, but they would have served to bring the original’s gameplay up to the standards of its sequels.”
  • story25 mentions

    The story of Disgaea 1 is widely praised as the best in the series, featuring a quirky and humorous narrative with charming characters that resonate with players. While it may feel less mechanically advanced compared to Disgaea 5, many reviewers appreciate its lighthearted tone and engaging plot, making it a standout experience for those willing to embrace the grind typical of JRPGs. Overall, the game's narrative has aged well and continues to captivate players with its fun and entertaining storytelling.

    • “Disgaea 1, even though it has fewer features, is by far the best story of the Disgaea series.”
    • “Disgaea 1 Complete introduces you to the Disgaea universe better than any other game can, with the best story, best characters, and plenty of humor throughout, along with updated visuals that are much better than the original.”
    • “The cheesy story and over-the-top characters are as funny and entertaining in the last chapter as they are in the first.”
    • “I'm stuck in the item world; I haven't advanced in the main story.”
    • “Watch the story on YouTube, and then buy Disgaea 5.”
    • “Disgaea 5 on the Switch has much better mechanics, but a worse story.”
  • graphics23 mentions

    The graphics of Disgaea 1 Complete have received positive feedback for their significant upgrades over the original, with many players appreciating the updated character designs and animations that breathe new life into the classic game. However, some critiques mention that certain visuals feel recycled from Disgaea 5, and while the graphics enhance the experience, the core gameplay remains largely unchanged. Overall, the improved visuals are seen as a welcome enhancement, making the game visually appealing while retaining its original charm.

    • “The updated graphics and character designs really breathe new life into a classic game.”
    • “With its gorgeous graphics and updated animations, this is hands down the best and 'complete' version of the first game.”
    • “Upgraded graphics and animations give the game new life, maintaining the same strategic, over-the-top action.”
    • “Sometimes they did the lazy thing and took graphics from Disgaea 5 that were already high res.”
    • “Right now, charging a full price for the same game on the PS2 and PC with no changes outside of the graphics just feels like a rip-off.”
    • “I knew not to expect much with the content of the game, but am upset that no changes to anything else were made except graphics.”
  • grinding10 mentions

    The grinding in Disgaea 1 is extensive but engaging, with randomly generated levels in the item world that keep the experience fresh and less repetitive compared to traditional JRPGs. While it requires dedication and experimentation, players who embrace the grind will find it rewarding, despite some navigation challenges and a lack of quality-of-life improvements. Overall, the game's humorous story and characters add to the enjoyment of the grinding experience.

    • “There's a lot of grinding to be done, but it doesn't feel too repetitive.”
    • “[immense amount of grinding involved, levels can be hard to navigate due to camera blocking, lack of quality of life improvements]”
    • “The cheesy story and over-the-top characters are as funny and entertaining in the last chapter as they are in the first - but without dedication, experimentation, grinding, and probably some help from other sources, this can be a tough game to get through.”
  • humor6 mentions

    Disgaea 1 Complete is praised for its humor, featuring a lighthearted and cheesy story complemented by over-the-top characters and humorous dialogue. While the game includes foul language that adds to its comedic appeal, it is noted that the humor may not be suitable for younger audiences. Overall, the humor remains consistent and entertaining throughout the game, enhancing the experience despite its challenging gameplay.

    • “Disgaea 1 Complete introduces you to the Disgaea universe better than any other game can, with the best story, best characters, and plenty of humor throughout, along with updated visuals that are much better than the original.”
    • “The cheesy story and over-the-top characters are as funny and entertaining in the last chapter as they are in the first.”
    • “The story is still hilarious and lighthearted, and the graphics receive a much-needed upgrade.”
  • character development2 mentions

    Reviewers note that the updated graphics and character designs significantly enhance the character development in the game, revitalizing a classic experience and adding depth to the characters.

  • music1 mentions

    The music in the game remains unchanged and continues to complement the overall experience, though some players feel it doesn't match the upgraded graphics and visuals. While the soundtrack is appreciated, the slow game speed detracts from the enjoyment of the music during gameplay.

    • “The music is still the same, providing a nostalgic and engaging experience.”
    • “The upgraded graphics make it visually appealing, complementing the well-aged story.”
    • “Despite being a grind-heavy game, the music enhances the overall atmosphere and enjoyment.”
    • “The music is still the same.”
    • “The game speed is super slow and there's no way to actually speed the game up.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

79% average critic score

Play time

164hMedian play time
164hAverage play time
164-164hSpent by most gamers
*Based on 1 analyzed playthroughs

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