Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited

Definitely one of the best Vita games right now. So many things to do means that being bored quickly won't happen. I'm still just on the tip of the iceberg here, and I've been playing for a few days now.

Disgaea 4 is a sequel to Disgaea, a hardcore, turn-based, strategy RPG. In Disgaea, character units have a limit to their movement and attack ranges, based on level and weapons equipped. There are other special game factors that let you take advantage of the 3D battle map, many of which are unique to Disgaea. As the 4th installment in the series Disgaea 4 adopts an all new graphic engine with a mu…

Play Modes

Single-Player Play through the game's story or campaign solo

Reviews

65%

Audience ScoreBased on 18 reviews

humor3 positive mentions

story3 negative mentions

Disgaea 4 features a hilarious and entertaining story with a diverse cast of characters, providing both comedy and emotional depth.
The game offers incredible flexibility in difficulty, allowing players to customize their experience and enjoy extensive gameplay that can last over 1000 hours.
The Vita version includes all DLC for free and is well-suited for portable play, making it a great choice for fans of tactical RPGs.

The story is considered one of the weaker entries in the series, lacking the depth found in other Disgaea titles.
The gameplay can feel repetitive for those familiar with the series, as it retains many elements from previous games, which may lead to burnout.
Some technical issues, such as slight lag in crowded stages and occasional audio problems, can detract from the overall experience.

story
8 mentions
25 % positive mentions
38 % neutral mentions
38 % negative mentions
The story centers on Valvatorez, a once-powerful tyrant who has sacrificed his abilities to uphold a promise, featuring a mix of lighthearted comedy and poignant tragedy. While the narrative is considered simple and one of the weaker entries in the series, it is enriched by a diverse cast of characters and entertaining content, making it enjoyable for fans. Overall, the story is quirky and fun, appealing to those who appreciate the campy style of the franchise.
- “The story follows Valvatorez, a tyrant who has lost his powers due to his devotion to a promise.”
- “I have played to the end of the story; although it was simple, it features a great diversity of characters, with some lighthearted comedy and some heart-tugging tragedy as well.”
- “The game is incredibly flexible in terms of difficulty; players get to decide how hard the game is. That said, the real game doesn't start until you finish the storyline.”
- “Why this long story?”
- “That being said, I did feel story-wise this was one of the weaker entries.”
grinding
4 mentions
0 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of Disgaea 5 is both a defining feature and a potential drawback; while it offers deep tactical gameplay and extensive leveling opportunities that appeal to hardcore RPG fans, newcomers may find the heavy grind overwhelming and repetitive, leading to burnout.
- “Okay, so I skipped Disgaea 4 and went to 5, as Disgaea games are all very similar, and with their grindy nature, it is very easy to burn yourself out.”
- “Heavy grinding is not super accessible to newcomers to the series due to its depth, and again, it can feel like a lot of the same old, which can burn you out.”
- “If you enjoy tactical role-playing games with serious gameplay and level grinding, be prepared for a lot of repetition that may lead to burnout.”
gameplay
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-100 % neutral mentions
100 % negative mentions
The gameplay is reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics, offering a familiar tactical RPG experience with a significant emphasis on level grinding and strategic combat. Players can customize difficulty through a cheat shop feature, enhancing replayability, while the core mechanics remain largely consistent with previous Disgaea titles. Fans of the genre will appreciate the blend of serious gameplay and comedic elements.
- “Gameplay-wise, it can be compared to Final Fantasy Tactics, which is not far off. This game allows you to play in many ways, and the cheat shop feature lets you change the difficulty from base 0 to 20, affecting what you earn from battles (it's not cheating entirely).”
- “If you like tactical role-playing games with serious gameplay and level grinding, combined with a comedic script and plot, you'll love this game.”
- “A few new game features are sprinkled in that are not in the others, but 85% of the game retains the same gameplay as every other Disgaea.”
- “A few new game features are sprinkled in that are not in the others, but 85% of the game is the same gameplay as every other Disgaea.”
- “Gameplay-wise, it can be compared to Final Fantasy Tactics, which is not far off, and this game does allow you to play in many ways, but the cheat shop features allow you to change the difficulty from the base 0 to 20, affecting what you earn from battles.”
- “If you like tactical role-playing games with serious gameplay and level grinding, you'll love this game.”
humor
3 mentions
100 % positive mentions
0 % neutral mentions
0 % negative mentions
The humor in Disgaea 4 is highlighted as a standout feature, with players praising its hilarious script and entertaining characters that contribute to an engaging experience. The game offers a wealth of content, ensuring that players are kept amused throughout its extensive playtime, although minor technical issues have been noted. Overall, the comedic elements significantly enhance the enjoyment of this strategy RPG.
- “The game can easily last over 1000 hours, with hilarious script writing and great characters.”
- “Disgaea 4 is a funny and entertaining SRPG, best played on Vita.”
- “Pros: - funny and entertaining story - wonderful characters - tons of content (this is one SRPG that will last you) - DLC included for free (unlocked after beating the main story, but there's also a code you can find online to unlock it at the start) - good music - PSTV compatible (no pop-up errors like D3 gets on PSTV. It's great for if you went the budget way to play Vita games like I did).”
music
2 mentions
100 % positive mentions
-150 % neutral mentions
150 % negative mentions
The music in the game is described as enjoyable and catchy, with some tracks lingering in players' minds even after they stop playing. Overall, it contributes positively to the entertaining story and vibrant characters, enhancing the gaming experience.
- “Odd music returns and some even get caught in your head after setting the game down.”
- “Good music enhances the overall experience of the game.”
- “The music is repetitive and quickly becomes annoying.”
- “The soundtrack lacks variety and fails to enhance the gaming experience.”
- “Some tracks are catchy, but overall, the music feels out of place and uninspired.”