Here's where you can contribute your thoughts and opinions for Dark Cloud for potential inclusion in the forthcoming podcast.
A friendly reminder that where the feedback for the podcast is concerned, we love it - but keeping it brief is appreciated. We do want to include a breadth of opinions where appropriate, but no-one wants a discussion podcast that’s mostly reading out essays. Better to save yourself time and cut to the chase if you can.
695: Dark Cloud
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JaySevenZero
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Nicktendo
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Re: 695: Dark Cloud
This game came out in the west on the PS2 riding the coat-tails of Zelda ocarina of time and Majora's mask for the N64. I remember I picked it up purely because the protagonist on the cover resembled link.
What I found was a somewhat forgettable action rpg. The combat was reminiscent of Zelda but not as dynamic or engaging. There were quick time events I recall. What really stood out were two things. First, the village building mechanic of repairing the world. I found that an interesting gimmick as I wasn't into city builder games and this had just the right amount without overstaying it's welcome. Second, oddly enough, the water meter. You had to drink water or stand in water to replenish. Otherwise your HP will deplete. Very odd... but it was a good reminder to stay hydrated while playing games.
TWR: legend of meh
What I found was a somewhat forgettable action rpg. The combat was reminiscent of Zelda but not as dynamic or engaging. There were quick time events I recall. What really stood out were two things. First, the village building mechanic of repairing the world. I found that an interesting gimmick as I wasn't into city builder games and this had just the right amount without overstaying it's welcome. Second, oddly enough, the water meter. You had to drink water or stand in water to replenish. Otherwise your HP will deplete. Very odd... but it was a good reminder to stay hydrated while playing games.
TWR: legend of meh
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ashman86
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Re: 695: Dark Cloud
Dark Cloud was one of two games I picked up when I first bought my PS2 using money I had earned for my first-ever summer job. I was 15 years old and a lifelong Sega fan who had, with the death of the Dreamcast made official, finally decided to branch out to other consoles. Dark Cloud had been pitched to me as PlayStation's Zelda, and that was good enough for me to give it a go.
I have fond memories of playing it with a friend who stayed over at my house that first weekend with the game, particularly in the early parts of the game. In particular, I remember falling totally in love with the process of rebuilding that first village in the game and puzzling out how to make all of the villagers happy. It was like the devs had tucked a super satisfying city builder into this weird JRPG, and my buddy and I couldn't wait to move onto new villages we could reconstruct.
Unfortunately, I remember that aspect of the game kind of falls off over time as it leans more heavily into JRPG tropes, but the rest of the game was solid enough to keep me playing to the end. I never quite clicked with the game's weapon upgrade system, and I always thought swapping party members was a little janky, but Dark Cloud will always have a fond place in my heart due to the strength of its first half.
I have fond memories of playing it with a friend who stayed over at my house that first weekend with the game, particularly in the early parts of the game. In particular, I remember falling totally in love with the process of rebuilding that first village in the game and puzzling out how to make all of the villagers happy. It was like the devs had tucked a super satisfying city builder into this weird JRPG, and my buddy and I couldn't wait to move onto new villages we could reconstruct.
Unfortunately, I remember that aspect of the game kind of falls off over time as it leans more heavily into JRPG tropes, but the rest of the game was solid enough to keep me playing to the end. I never quite clicked with the game's weapon upgrade system, and I always thought swapping party members was a little janky, but Dark Cloud will always have a fond place in my heart due to the strength of its first half.