Disgaea 5 Complete
- October 22, 2018
- Nippon Ichi Software, Inc.
- 57h median play time
Get on SteamIn Disgaea 5 Complete, a demon named Killia embarks on a mission to defeat a powerful Overlord, Void Dark, who aims to conquer numerous Netherworlds. This strategy RPG offers hundreds of hours of gameplay, including all DLC content from the original PlayStation 4 release. With its humorous writing and over-the-top action, players can expect an unforgettable experience filled with endless strategy and damage numbers reaching record-breaking heights.
Nintendo Switch
PC
Steam Deck
Windows
Reviews
- Deep and complex gameplay with numerous systems for character customization and grinding.
- Humorous and quirky characters that add charm to the game, despite a mediocre story.
- High replayability with extensive post-game content and the ability to level characters to 9999.
- The story is weak and predictable, lacking the depth and engagement of previous entries.
- Missing online features and multiplayer options, which detracts from the 'Complete' edition experience.
- Some gameplay mechanics can feel overwhelming and convoluted for new players.
- story822 mentions
- 23 % positive mentions
- 69 % neutral mentions
- 8 % negative mentions
The story of Disgaea 5 has received mixed reviews, with many players finding it mediocre and filled with clichés typical of the genre. While some appreciate the humor and character interactions, others criticize the plot for being predictable and lacking depth compared to earlier entries in the series. Overall, the gameplay is often highlighted as the main draw, with the story serving primarily as a vehicle to unlock gameplay features rather than a compelling narrative.
“The story follows Killia, a mysterious and determined demon, as he assembles a motley crew of rebels to take down the evil Void Dark.”
“The plot is filled with humor, drama, and unexpected twists, but the real charm lies in the hilarious cast of characters that make every interaction memorable.”
“Disgaea 5 created with love and passion, providing us a great story and awesome characters.”
“The story is painfully generic at times, and it's not helped by how the main cast seem to be defined by individual traits.”
“The story is a non-sensical mess... but for a good strategy game that's a good time sink.. it's worth the money.”
“The story is hot shit, and it reads like a poor SAO fanfiction, but the systems and gameplay literally sell this game to a fucking T.”
- gameplay478 mentions
- 35 % positive mentions
- 63 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The gameplay in Disgaea 5 is widely praised for its depth and complexity, offering a rich array of mechanics that build upon previous entries in the series. Players appreciate the introduction of new systems like the revenge mode and squad mechanics, which enhance strategic options and keep battles engaging. While the game can be overwhelming for newcomers due to its numerous features, it remains highly addictive and rewarding for those who enjoy tactical RPGs and grinding for character progression.
“The game introduces new mechanics like the revenge mode and squad system, adding layers of strategy that keep battles fresh and engaging.”
“With its addictive gameplay, rich customization, and endless content, it’s a game that will keep you coming back for more.”
“Gameplay-wise, pretty much all you could want in a Disgaea game that was built on all the games before it, has most of what made them good and then some.”
“The main problem I have with this game is that it forces you to go through the story in order to unlock most of its gameplay features.”
“The gameplay is solid but the characters and writing are rather weak compared to previous games.”
“It's really grindy, has weird mechanics; I'd recommend you just watch some video reviews of it if you haven't played the other ones.”
- grinding295 mentions
- 1 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 99 % negative mentions
The grinding aspect of Disgaea 5 is a defining feature that players either love or loathe, with many praising its depth and enjoyment while others find it tedious. Fans of grinding and min-maxing will appreciate the numerous systems in place that make the process engaging, such as character reincarnation and the item world, while newcomers may feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of grinding required for optimal progression. Overall, the game successfully transforms grinding into a fun and rewarding experience, though it remains heavily grind-focused, especially in post-game content.
“The whole story can be cleared with minimal or no grinding, but the grind is so enjoyable you'll end up grinding anyways.”
“Excellent story, fun (but quite repetitive gameplay), a lot of party members (including characters from previous titles), a ton of classes, tons of weapons, tons of character attributes, weapon mastery, an improved version of the item world, the character world is fun now (feels more like Mario Party) and a post-game campaign that will kick your ass for not grinding.”
“You can get really far in the game with little to no grinding.”
“The process is mind-numbingly repetitive and tedious because there's about 3-4 in-between steps you need to do to just change a subclass.”
“It's honestly akin to a slightly more complex Pokémon game but infinitely more tedious.”
“The story is mediocre, sound effects and voices don't feel right at times and the post-game grind is very tedious.”
- humor147 mentions
- 99 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 1 % negative mentions
The humor in the game is a defining feature, characterized by quirky characters, light-hearted dialogue, and a mix of absurdity and charm that appeals to fans of anime and tactical RPGs. While many players find the humor engaging and entertaining, some note that it can be niche or repetitive, with varying effectiveness across the series. Overall, the comedic elements contribute significantly to the game's appeal, making it a fun experience for those who appreciate its unique style.
“The plot is filled with humor, drama, and unexpected twists, but the real charm lies in the hilarious cast of characters that make every interaction memorable.”
“If you love funny, quirky characters with a silly at times but also wholesome atmosphere, the roster excels in bringing a lot of comedy and heartfelt moments.”
“The humor is over the top and every character is an obvious caricature.”
“Very much like in the past, but this time not funny at all.”
“Turns out, it is not funny.”
- graphics108 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- 55 % neutral mentions
- 3 % negative mentions
The graphics of Disgaea 5 are widely praised for their vibrant, anime-inspired visuals and charming character designs, maintaining the series' signature art style while offering improvements in resolution and animation quality. However, some users have reported significant graphical glitches and performance issues, particularly in the PC port, which detracts from the overall experience. Despite these drawbacks, many players appreciate the game's aesthetic and the nostalgic appeal of its hand-drawn and pixel art.
“The art style of Disgaea 5 remains true to the series’ roots, with vibrant, anime-inspired visuals and expressive character designs.”
“The graphics look great (even if it's only 720p) and I couldn't imagine a higher resolution making that much of an impact on things.”
“The game looks beautiful and the progression of sprite artwork and animation throughout the series is fantastic - generic characters have unique abilities with unique animations.”
“After part 5, the art style changes from what are clearly sprites to some kind of mix of 2D and 3D that doesn't quite work for me, but your mileage may vary.”
“I cannot recommend due to a glitch in the graphics where many items and such in many maps flicker and glitch out.”
“The graphics are not optimized for PC; on higher resolutions, many things get blurry.”
- music106 mentions
- 50 % positive mentions
- 43 % neutral mentions
- 7 % negative mentions
The music in the game has received a mixed reception, with many praising its high quality and variety, often highlighting it as a standout feature. While some tracks are considered memorable and fitting, others are criticized for being lackluster or not matching the game's tone, leading to a few players feeling fatigued by repetitive themes. Overall, the soundtrack is generally well-regarded, with options for customization enhancing the experience.
“Wonderful music, maybe one of the best parts of the game for me.”
“The soundtrack is also a highlight, perfectly capturing the game’s playful and epic tone.”
“Disgaea really doesn't let you down when it comes to soundtracks.”
“I couldn't really get into this Disgaea because of the song that plays in the Netherworld.</3”
“The music is also boring and uninspired.”
“One of the things that gets tiresome in a grindy game is that the music in the game is always the same and it gets mind-numbing after hearing the same verse over and over.”
- optimization26 mentions
- 19 % positive mentions
- 65 % neutral mentions
- 15 % negative mentions
Overall, the game's optimization has received mixed reviews. While many players appreciate the smooth controls and solid performance, especially on lower-end systems, some report intermittent stuttering and issues with graphics at higher resolutions. Despite these drawbacks, the game is generally considered well-optimized compared to its predecessors, allowing for an enjoyable experience with its complex systems and extensive customization options.
“The systems in this game have been optimized compared to 3 and 4, and spending time in the item world while my innocents grow big and strong feels very satisfying.”
“Fortunately the delay was well worth it, as the port is really well-optimized, allowing the game’s fun and complex tactical gameplay and endless customization options the chance to shine.”
“The game is incredibly well-polished, both in terms of optimization and being bug-free.”
“And when then there is intermittent stuttering every couple of seconds.”
“Graphics are not optimized for PC; at higher resolutions, many things get blurry.”
“Sometimes I can walk about in the pocket Netherworld with acceptable performance, but if I go into combat, the game slows unacceptably.”
- replayability25 mentions
- 48 % positive mentions
- 40 % neutral mentions
- 12 % negative mentions
Disgaea 5 is widely praised for its exceptional replayability, with many reviewers highlighting the endless customization options, extensive post-game content, and the ability to replay the story with leveled characters. Players appreciate the game's complexity and variety, which contribute to a nearly infinite playability experience, making it a standout title in the strategy RPG genre. Overall, the game offers a wealth of content and challenges that keep players engaged for thousands of hours.
“One of the standout features of Disgaea 5 is its replayability.”
“What this game actually brings in is the replay value; the fun constant grinding in the post-game and the endless customization you can have on your characters is what makes the money worth it.”
“The replay value is practically endless.”
“This game is the definitive Japanese strategy/tactics role-playing game, and you'd be hard pressed to find one that comes anywhere near to offering the amount of content, challenge, replayability, and strategy required to beat the content.”
“Even with all that, I still have to say no other game really compares to the versatility, randomness, and replayability of this game.”
- character development22 mentions
- 41 % positive mentions
- 45 % neutral mentions
- 14 % negative mentions
Character development in Disgaea 5 is noted for its vibrant and expressive character designs, which remain true to the series' anime-inspired roots. However, many players feel that the character development feels rushed compared to earlier entries, lacking depth in storytelling and character arcs. While the game offers a variety of gameplay mechanics for character progression, some reviewers express a desire for more substantial character growth and narrative engagement.
“The character designs are simply stunning, embodying the iconic Disgaea art style I adore.”
“I will not pretend that these games are for everyone, but for those who enjoy a mix of strategy and role-playing character development, with virtually limitless scope to your many species of characters and monsters' power progression, and some amusing character interactions and a decent story to boot... well, I can think of few games better than this one.”
“Main game with story, random dungeon, character development, item development, character perk combination, etc. There are many things to do to improve characters' power.”
“Overall it's a fairly good Disgaea game that felt rushed in terms of the character development.”
“If you're looking for a game that is more heavily story-oriented and delivers a strong hook, you might be soured by the slow buildup in Disgaea's character development.”
“However, most of the generic character designs have remained constant over the years.”
- emotional20 mentions
- 75 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 25 % negative mentions
The emotional aspect of the game is highlighted by its ability to evoke a wide range of feelings, from laughter to tears, thanks to its quirky characters and heartfelt moments. While the story features comical absurdity, it also includes touching narratives that resonate with players, particularly through relatable themes of regret and personal growth. However, some critiques mention that the humor can sometimes undermine the emotional weight of the story, leading to a mixed reception regarding its overall impact.
“It made me laugh and it made me cry, which is more than I can say for most of the media that I consume, so this game has my full endorsement as a work of art.”
“Killia dragging around his past regrets and emotional pain is also relatable.”
“I will fully admit I cried a couple of times playing through the story campaign, especially when dealing with the aforementioned sad little girl's struggles.”
“It is fun, I admit, not enough to carry a boring story.”
“I recommend a cheat engine to make an OP character to pass some of the boring story (if you've played the game before) and delete or reincarnate them when you get to a desired part of the game with most of the features unlocked.”
“Boring storyline.”
- stability17 mentions
- 18 % positive mentions
- 0 % neutral mentions
- 82 % negative mentions
The game's stability is mixed, with some players experiencing significant issues such as freezing on black screens, graphical glitches, and bugs related to character animations. However, others report a smooth experience with no crashes or major problems, indicating that performance may vary depending on the system. Overall, while the game is playable for many, it does have notable stability concerns that could affect the experience.
“It runs great on PC, has fun graphics, and the story is interesting so far.”
“Besides that, it runs great on my rig.”
“Runs great, sounds great, plays great.”
“The game freezes on the same black screen after the cinematic ends.”
“Port is inferior to the PS4 version on top of having some fairly severe graphical glitches if you're running it on a CPU with more than 4 cores.”
“Liezerota has no attack animations, and freezes the game when you try to attack with her.”
- monetization7 mentions
- 43 % positive mentions
- -29 % neutral mentions
- 86 % negative mentions
The monetization strategy of the game has been criticized as a lazy cash grab, leveraging existing assets without significant improvements, and lacking transparency from the developers. While it avoids microtransactions, the overall impression is that it exploits fan loyalty with minimal effort, leading to disappointment among players.
“It's Disgaea, which means it's Final Fantasy Tactics plus old XCOM with lots of gacha/clicker style grinding and no microtransactions.”
“The monetization model is fair and doesn't pressure players to spend money to enjoy the game.”
“I appreciate that the game offers plenty of free content without forcing players into paywalls.”
“Seems like an extremely lazy cash grab to milk fans.”
“This is a shady cash grab of a release, using assets they had already lying around, with the only effort made was to prevent you the possible shame of using someone else's save file to play the demo indefinitely for free.”
“While I'm personally a huge fan of the Disgaea games and would recommend Disgaea 5 to anyone who liked former games in the series or to SRPG fans in general, I can't give this port of the game anything other than a not recommended due to deceptive advertising ('complete' this edition is not).”
- atmosphere6 mentions
- 33 % positive mentions
- 17 % neutral mentions
- 50 % negative mentions
The game's atmosphere is a unique blend of humor and heart, featuring quirky characters and a lighthearted tone that contrasts with its darker plot elements. This balance enhances the storytelling, creating a compelling experience that connects well with previous installments while offering a rich and engaging environment. Overall, players appreciate the game's ability to maintain a whimsical atmosphere amidst serious themes.
“If you love funny, quirky characters with a silly at times but also wholesome atmosphere, the roster excels in bringing a lot of comedy and heartfelt moments.”
“Great atmosphere and non-cringy anime story that connects to previous games.”
“The atmosphere of the plot is dark, but the moves are just as over-the-top as in past games.”
“Maintaining the lighthearted atmosphere between battles does a lot to darken the main storyline and draw the player back in.”
“For the game itself, you're looking for a TRPG with a lot of content and features in a not-so-common atmosphere?”
