Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited

  • August 12, 2014
74%
Game Brain Score Based on 43 reviews
  • story
  • gameplay
  • humor
Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited Game Cover
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​Station
  • Play​station Vita
Genres & TagsPlay Modes

Reviews

74%
Audience ScoreBased on 43 reviews
humor8 positive mentions
grinding8 negative mentions
  • Disgaea 4 features a humorous and entertaining story with a diverse cast of characters, providing both lighthearted comedy and emotional depth.
  • The game offers extensive content and flexibility in gameplay, allowing players to customize difficulty and play styles, making it highly addictive and engaging.
  • It includes all DLC from the PS3 version for free, enhancing the overall value and experience for players.
  • The game can feel overwhelming for newcomers due to its depth and heavy grinding mechanics, which may lead to burnout.
  • Some players have noted performance issues, such as slight lag in crowded stages and a playtime glitch that inaccurately displays hours played.
  • The story and characters may come off as over-the-top for some, and the game lacks significant refinement compared to earlier entries in the series.
  • story15 mentions

    The story centers on Valvatorez, a tyrant who sacrifices his powers to uphold a promise, featuring a mix of lighthearted comedy and poignant tragedy. While the narrative is considered simple, it is enriched by a diverse cast of characters and entertaining moments, though some reviewers feel it is one of the weaker entries in the series. Overall, the story provides a quirky and enjoyable experience, complemented by a wealth of content and free DLC.

    • “The story follows Valvatorez, a tyrant who has lost his powers for his devotion to a promise.”
    • “I have played to the end of the story; although it was a simple narrative, it features a great diversity of characters, with some lighthearted comedy and some heart-tugging tragedy as well.”
    • “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.”
    • “That being said, I did feel story-wise this was one of the weaker entries.”
    • “Why this long story?”
    • “The game is incredibly flexible in terms of difficulty; the players get to decide how hard the game is. That said, the real game doesn't start until you finish the storyline.”
  • gameplay8 mentions

    The gameplay is reminiscent of Final Fantasy Tactics, featuring a mix of tactical role-playing elements and extensive level grinding, with a comedic narrative. Players can customize their experience through a cheat shop that adjusts difficulty and rewards, while the game maintains solid mechanics and depth, offering hours of content. However, it may feel familiar to series veterans, as it retains about 85% of the core gameplay from previous Disgaea titles, with minimal refinement.

    • “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 features let you change the difficulty from the base 0 to 20, affecting what you earn from battles (it is 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.”
    • “[Complex with lots of gameplay, great soundtrack, graphics, dialogue is hilarious, adapts to numerous play styles, requires a lot of grinding and training.]”
    • “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.”
    • “[Takes a while to get going. Story and characters are a bit over the top for some. Very little refinement to the series’ core mechanics.]”
    • “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 it feels repetitive.”
  • humor8 mentions

    The humor in Disgaea 4 is widely praised for its hilarious script and memorable characters, contributing to an entertaining narrative that enhances the overall gameplay experience. Players appreciate the witty dialogue and comedic elements woven throughout the tactical battles, making it a standout feature of the game. Overall, the humor adds significant charm and enjoyment, complementing the extensive content and strategic depth.

    • “The game can easily last over 1000 hours, hilarious script writing and great characters.”
    • “Disgaea 4 is a funny and entertaining SRPG, best played on Vita.”
    • “Humorous tale filled with memorable characters, involving tactical battles, cute artistic style, and plenty of strategic considerations outside of battle.”
  • grinding8 mentions

    The grinding aspect of Disgaea 5 is a defining feature, appealing to fans of tactical RPGs who enjoy extensive level grinding and character development. However, newcomers may find the depth and repetitive nature of the grind overwhelming, potentially leading to burnout. Overall, while the game offers a rich experience for dedicated players, it demands a significant time investment.

    • “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, with its depth and again just a lot of the same old, which can burn you out.”
    • “[requires a lot of grinding and training]”
  • music4 mentions

    The music in the game is generally well-received, with many users finding it enjoyable and catchy enough to linger in their minds even after playing. It complements the game's humorous and entertaining story, enhancing the overall experience. While there are minor issues with audio balance in certain character lines, the soundtrack is considered a strong point of the game.

    • “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.”
    • “Great soundtrack that complements the gameplay and adds to the entertainment.”
    • “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.”
  • graphics1 mentions

    The graphics are noted for their complexity and detail, complementing the engaging gameplay and humorous dialogue. Overall, they contribute positively to the game's immersive experience.

  • optimization1 mentions

    The game is praised for its solid mechanics and depth, offering a visually appealing experience without any performance issues. Players can enjoy hours of content within a non-linear structure, enhancing overall gameplay satisfaction.

    • “Solid mechanics with plenty of depth.”
    • “Looks great, no performance issues.”
    • “Hours upon hours of content.”
Positive mentions (%)Positive
Neutral mentions (%)Neutral
Negative mentions (%)Negative

Critic Reviews

71% average critic score

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