Best of the best so far

EVEN CASUAL observers know better than to undervalue the degree of affection those with a predisposed bent towards tactical role-playing games have for the Disgaea series. Certainly, it benefited from, and contributed to, the rapid rise in popularity of the Sony PlayStation 2 en route to being the best selling videogame console of all time. It took Japan by storm with the debuting Disgaea: House of Darkness in January 2003, and the title’s localization, commissioned to Atlus for the United States and Koei for Europe and hitting store shelves seven months later, proved such a critical and commercial success that Nippon Ichi Software saw fit to establish a permanent presence in California by the end of the year.

Since then, the Disgaea franchise has grown by leaps and bounds, venturing even into anime and manga territory to meet the demands of fans unable to get enough of NIS’ intellectual property. Nonetheless, the games remain its gems, with sequels to Disgaea: House of Darkness moving to latest-generation hardware as appropriate. It made its way to the PlayStation 3 and the PlayStation Vita in 2008 and 2011, respectively, via Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice. Four years later, it hit the PlayStation 4 with Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance. Moreover, it has kept the titles current by continually adding downloadable content, and then by coming up with updated versions for other platforms.

Disgaea 4 Complete+ provides ample proof that NIS America’s formula works. As the title suggests, it serves as the definitive version of Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten, first out on the PS3 in 2011. The latest release, available on the PS4, Nintendo Switch, and personal computer via Steam, further builds on the DLC-augmented Vita iteration, which made its way to retail shelves as Disgaea 4: A Promise Revisited. In this regard, the porting over of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance to Nintendo’s hybrid console in 2017, and then to Windows rigs the next year, serves as a blueprint. Technical improvements and quality-of-life features that generally make for a much-easier interface and more pleasant experience abound.

Disgaea 4 Complete+ earns the last character to its name by elevating the visceral feedback it offers. The art style, already a standout to begin with, benefits from high-definition renditions even in static settings, and, lo and behold, becomes especially striking when the action picks up, and whether docked or on the go — a remarkable development given the Switch’s hardware limitations vis-a-vis the existing competition. Backstopping the visual marvel is an excellent soundtrack that makes a mark from the outset, as well as outstanding English and Japanese voice acting. Production values are superb all around.

As with the Disgaea franchise’s other installments, Disgaea 4 Complete+ has as its backdrop the Netherworld, a realm in which its inhabitants, while naturally predisposed to moral extremes, are subject to ambiguities. Valvatorez, a former vampire overlord 400 years removed from an event that had him renouncing his bloodsucking ways, is relegated to a lowly role in Hades: He teaches new Prinnies — deceased humans transformed into members of a monster class — how to get around and go about their duties in their new state. Which is just fine with him — until, that is, his job is threatened by the decision of the governing Corrupternment to deep-six his graduating students in an effort to lower the population in Hell. Goaded into action by Fenrich, his longtime servant, he resolves to lead a revolt and ultimately lead the realm.

As Valvatorez travels with Fenrich around the Netherworld to garner support for their cause, he learns that things are not what they seem. Together with a handful of quirky characters who share in his objectives, he engages in battles on Earth, the moon, and within Fear the Great, a machine created to destroy all life. And while the narrative of Disgaea 4 Complete+ may be convoluted, the storytelling is decidedly immersive, rich in humor, often self-deprecating and bordering on the absurd, and featuring compelling protagonists and enemies with finely layered personalities. Indeed, even those new to the Disgaea series won’t help but be moved by, and invested in, the proceedings.

In this regard, Disgaea 4 Complete+ benefits from its polished gameplay. The turn-based combat mechanics are complex and require no small measure of strategy from which to frame a winning position; even as members of the party have skills and “Evilities” to brandish, their effectiveness in battle is likewise determined by the range of their attacks and their ideal placements on the grid in play, with so-called Geo Blocks and Geo Panels acting as buffs and close proximity to allies presenting the option of combos. As with other titles in the series, it features over-the-top animation reflecting its overthe-top components; true to its flash-and-pizzazz pedigree, it has, for instance, a leveling-up ceiling of 9,999.

The aforementioned figure hints at the lengths gamers need to go through in order to finish Disgaea 4 Complete+. Grinding is not an option. In fact, it’s critical to reaching the denouement; thankfully, alternatives in doing so are laid out well, and while it’s a necessary means to an end, the manner in which it is presented amps up the fun factor and makes it an end in and of itself. It’s easy to get lost in, and succumb to the pull of, Item World, essentially levels generated at random and offering access to challenging enemies that, once defeated, yield upgrades.

Simply put, Disgaea 4 Complete+ is everything gamers familiar with the series expect. And because NIS America already has the formula down pat, it comes across as the best of the best to date. Literally 100 hours — okay, much more than 100 hours — await those who want to get to the bottom of the story of Valvatorez and Company.

THE GOOD:

• Definitive version of the fourth release in the series

• Visually stunning

• Super sound mix

• Smooth interface

THE BAD:

• Grinding is taken to extreme

• No touchscreen support

• No new content on offer

RATING: 9/10

POSTSCRIPT: Few know Columns to have been the creation of a Hewlett-Packard engineer simply bored with tutorials to the X11 Window System, which he needed to get through in order to port over a graphical application. Yet, that’s exactly how the match-three puzzle videogame was born. In any case, it was an instant hit upon its release in 1989, and to a point where Sega thought to acquire it from designer Jay Geertsen with the intent of enhancing it and using it as the packed-in software for its gaming platforms. And, true enough, it boosted sales of both the Mega Drive/ Genesis and the Game Gear, which then managed to surpass the Atari Lynx and TurboExpress despite being rushed to market.

Columns was, in short, the Tetris to Sega’s eight-bit handheld. Yet, even as it bore striking similarities to the flagship title of the Nintendo Game Boy, it likewise offered a fair share of distinct gameplay features that made it stand out. First, the dropping objects weren’t composed of different shapes; instead, the escalating degree of difficulty was reflected in the increasing number of colors the tiles carried. Second, and more importantly, it offered a multiplayer mode that boosted its worth. For good measure, it was wrapped in Phoenician mythology and made out to be the game of choice by Middle Eastern merchants bent on increasing their riches, tying the change in its appearance from the initial blocks to “mesmerizing” jewels.

Needless to say, sequels would follow, and if there’s any surprise, it’s that not all would make their way outside of Japan. In fact, Columns II, which found a home on Sega’s System C in 1990, and then on the Saturn as part of a compilation seven years later, was missing in action everywhere else in the world. That it would take Sega two decades and two years more to finally bring it to the West is subject to speculation; in contrast, Columns III was offered on the Genesis way back in 1993. Still, there can be no doubting its value to the continually expanding Sega Ages collection on the Nintendo eShop.

For gamers, here’s the good news: Developer M2 has made the wait worthwhile. SEGA AGES Columns II: The Voyage Through Time more than earns its $7.99 price tag with an excellent Switch version that pays homage to its roots. As with the source material, two modes are on offer; the more challenging option requires gamers to clear a flashing gem randomly situated among other jewels to start. In either case, it harks to its arcade beginnings in terms of the stark rise in difficulty. Some help is offered by way of an option to disable obstacles that, when accidentally cleared, serve to raise the puzzle floor, but deft hand-eye coordination will still be required throughout.

SEGA AGES Columns II: The Voyage Through Time boasts of a few additions here and there, but none more significant than the inclusion of the original game. For gamers just looking to spend hours upon hours of idle time on mindless fun minus the stress, Columns may yet provide the more enjoyable experience. (7.5/10)

THE LAST WORD: The Satisfye SwitchGrip Lite Elite Bundle is out, and it’s a decided bargain at $47. With thumb pads, a charging cable, and a case that can store all the included accessories along with the Switch Lite, it provides superb bang for the buck. To be sure, the star of the ensemble is the SwitchGrip Lite, which offers excellent comfort and ergonomics for gamers bent on spending some time holding their hybrid consoles. And it’s white, too, perfect for any color and especially apt for the just-released Zacian and Zamazenta Edition.

If there’s any drawback to getting the SwitchGrip Lite Elite Bundle, it’s that Satisfye doesn’t ship directly to the Philippines. Gamers on this side of the globe will have to first ship their orders to a forwarder, leading to higher costs and a longer waiting period. Nonetheless, there’s ample reason to jump through hoops: There’s no better grip for the Switch Lite. Enough said.