Disgaea 3 to power level for PS3 this August

by Jason Dobson { Feb 28th 2008 at 10:10AM }

Tactical strategy game fans may not know much about art, but they know what they like, and in less than five years developer and publisher Nippon Ichi has done more to strike a chord with this audience than most game companies do in a lifetime -- thanks in no small part to titles like Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Phantom Brave, and La Pucelle: Tactics.

Without question the Disgaea franchise has become the calling card of both Nippon Ichi and its North American publishing arm NIS America, and for most it was not a question of if, but rather when the series' third entry, which shipped in Japan in January, would make the trip overseas. Now NISA has confirmed that the game will be released in North America in August, bringing the series' unique blend of humor and strategy to the PlayStation 3. Sure it may lack the high-defness we're used to seeing in our PS3 games -- honestly it still looks the part of game we'd expect to play on the PS2 – but what Disgaea 3 lacks in eye candy we can be sure it more than makes up for in ridiculous grinding.

Gallery: Disgaea 3 (PS3)

Tags: disgaea, disgaea-3, disgaea3, nippon-ichi, nipponichi, nis-america, nisa, nisamerica

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 10:17AM

Is that a DS game?

Curmeo @ Feb 28th 2008 10:28AM

if the DS was capable of those kinda graphics i'd have one =0

Nigeria @ Feb 28th 2008 10:34AM

Curmeo, STFU.

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 10:43AM

No, seriously, it looks worse than Professor Leyton. Bland 3D backgrounds with (nice looking) 2D sprites.

And I'm not a big graphics whore or anything, for the record. I, like others in this thread, am just a bit surprised that they wouldn't raise the bar a bit for their first PS3 game. When you're dropping 500 bones on the 'most powerful system evar,' I think you should be able to expect something better than PS2 game that you can't play on your PS2.

Just saying.

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Feb 28th 2008 10:46AM

@Nigeria

Now while Curmeo likes to push buttons, it's a fair response to the parent's snipe. The DS is fun and wildly popular, but a graphical powerhouse it is not. Not even for Disgaea level PS2 graphics.

samfish @ Feb 28th 2008 10:47AM

You think Professor Layton looks bad?

borland502 (SDF - Macross Ring) @ Feb 28th 2008 10:49AM

"I think you should be able to expect something better than PS2 game that you can't play on your PS2."

As fun as the Disgaea series is, I don't think it is a system seller. Few people are going to drop $500 on it any more than say they would for an entertaining PSN title. That company seems to make its money off of porting genre titles, not pushing the boundaries of the console. I mean even the PS2 didn't break a sweat running the previous games.

samfish @ Feb 28th 2008 10:49AM

Don't defend Curmeo. Just minus his comments and report him. Maybe if we remind him over and over that everyone hates his mean spirited trolling, he'll go away forever.

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 10:50AM

No, I think Professor Layton looks great! That was my point.

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 10:54AM

And, you know, Curmeo's comment wasn't even a little bit out of line. He wasn't trolling, he was responding to my heartfelt but admittedly-a-little-flamebaitey comment.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 28th 2008 11:21AM

Samfish,

You cry more than a thirteen year old at a Hannah Montana concert or at a Benny Hinn revival meeting.

just shut the FRAK up you big baby.

By the way, not only do you cry a river on a daily basis but you are also a hypocrite with the blatently flameworthy graphics comment.

jackass

deaftly @ Feb 28th 2008 11:34AM

KayRazy calling someone else a jackass, oh the irony is blinding.

NATO_Duke @ Feb 28th 2008 12:52PM

OMG Ken still thinks that anyone here believes he is credible.

Ken - don’t bother talking smack about others when you are the most predictable and unwavering fanboy to ever live.

Go to the PS forums and leave this community in peace.

Geist @ Feb 28th 2008 1:12PM

I sincerely doubt Nippon Ichi would implement any graphical changes. Personally, I much prefer the 2d-on-3d style they keep in all of their games.

Will they use the power of the PS3? Noooooo I doubt it. And this makes me sad, because they could've just released it on the PS2. Likely sell more copies, too.

Jon @ Feb 28th 2008 4:08PM

Professor Layton looks nice, but no way can the DS pull off Disgaea. Not even the first. The assets may look archaic but the special effects is something else.

Mr Khan @ Feb 28th 2008 4:09PM

Jerk Face is right

Dragon Quest IX > This

But still, its a nice, core strategy title.

I'd be all over it if i had a PS3

Vegeta (aka Ska Oreo) @ Feb 28th 2008 10:20AM

You know, normally I don't really care for graphics that much. But you'd think they would update the graphics a bit since this is a ps3 game.

Though of course, it's the gameplay that matters.

ScreamingSkull @ Feb 28th 2008 10:25AM

Hi, japan, welcome to the 90s!

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 10:44AM

Ha ha.. I hate to say it but you're totally right. For the most part (and not always so don't rip me a new one, fanboys!) American Developers FT-freaking-W.

upz @ Feb 28th 2008 3:00PM

My favorite franchises historically have been Japanese, but even I can admit that they are embarassingly behind the technological curve this generation. Compare the graphic between, say, Assassin's Creed and Yakuza 3. What gives?

ScreamingSkull @ Feb 28th 2008 3:33PM

Yeah I love all sorts of japanese franchises too, from my old nintendo days and what not but there really should be more of a progression, I mean NG2's got all kinds of blood, but the levels could have been made with a .wad editor.

Oh and Soul Calibur beats SFIV hands down, it looks like Chun Li ate Arnold Schwarzenegger!

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 4:10PM

Plus for invoking .wads. Ha ha... : )

Agathos @ Feb 28th 2008 10:25AM

This is outstanding, been waiting to hear confirmation on this.

I've got Drake's Fortune, Ratchet & Clank, and a dozen other AAA PS3 exclusive and multi-console titles already with outstanding graphics to enjoy rather than worrying about the graphics here, that's not what this title is about.

Give me 16:9, DD sound, and the standard 2D sprites and spell effects in HD and I'm more than happy wiht this.

Definitely not for every gamer even minus the graphic concerns (although if you're that hardcore on ONLY graphics just go watch Beowulf).

Todd @ Feb 28th 2008 10:40AM

Not saying that they aren't out there, but which dozen, triple A, PS3 exclusives are you referring to?

ruibing @ Feb 28th 2008 10:44AM

Yeah, it's definitely for hardcore SRPG fans. This new one is suppose to let you level up to 9999.

White Rose Duelist @ Feb 28th 2008 11:02AM

You could level to 9999 in all the Disgaea games.

Someone needs to explain to me why this game has to be a PS3-exclusive. The Wii, Xbox360 and PS2 can handle it just as easily, and Nippon Ichi would probably sell more on any of those systems (especially PS2). I'd buy this in a heartbeat, except for the fact that I'm not willing to buy a console for just one game, and so far this is the only PS3 title I'm remotely interested in.

FidliousWong (Oatmeal Defense Force) @ Feb 28th 2008 11:24AM

"Someone needs to explain to me why this game has to be a PS3-exclusive."

Someone needs to explain to me why pretentious fucks have the sheer balls to demand what a game company does with their games.

Look, you don't seem to understand. Nippon Ichi is not a huge studio in any way, shape, or form. In fact, their role as a publisher of late has been much more significant. So when they create a small project, like the Makai series, they often do not have the resources, time, or even manpower to fling the project at every system you deem worthy of your time. So rather than sitting back and enjoying the fact that we are getting Nippon Ichi games at all, as it stands as a modern miracle in gaming, you're going to tell a studio who's average game sales on a 120+ million installed base rarely breaches 250,000, that somehow investing s hitton to multiplat development will magically turn a small niche sales opportunity into something that will outsell Halo 3? Fuck you and that logic.

Just be glad NIS is still in business a you gladly gobble up what they can afford to release. And until you show me a picture of you holding your copy of Rhapsody: The Musical Adventure for Playstation, you have nothing else to say on this matter.

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 28th 2008 12:20PM

Well... Nis just announced that they are releasing 5 games for the DS, included one traditional RPG and a tactical RPG...

The DS is better for strategy games than any console, thanks to the touchscreen.

http://www.dsfanboy.com/2008/02/25/nis-five-ds-games-planned-disgaea-amongst-them/

White Rose Duelist @ Feb 28th 2008 12:21PM

I do have Rhapsody, though I don't plan to post a picture. As well as both prior Disgaeas, Makai Kingdom, La Pucelle and Phantom Brave. And I would buy Disgaea 3 on release day if it came out for a system I was remotely interested in. I know for a fact I'm not the only one.

I've clicked your little exclamation point. Dropping F-bombs only makes you look like an idiot, which is a shame, because you actually have a point.

I don't expect NIS to release their games for every platform. But making the PS3 the choice seems like a poor business move to me, when the series' loyal fans all own PS2s and this title isn't doing anything the PS2 can't handle. I don't know if they want to multi-platform, but made the decision too laye in the development cycle, or truly think that they can maximize their profits with a PS3 exclusive release, but I can't see how this move is optimal for either the company or Disgaea fans.

FidliousWong (Oatmeal Defense Force) @ Feb 28th 2008 12:29PM

I keep forgetting, in some peoples eyes, dropping the F bomb somehow reduces the maturity of an INTERNET debate about a VIDEO GAME in a BLOG THREAD. Somehow, the entire thing reminds me of when someone interrupted a hilarious Barren Chat discussion on Hentai with "I watch REAL porn... you losers." Irony seeps in and hurts my brain...

Okay, you own Rhapsody, you gain street cred. +1 for you. Frankly, I don't see how this is advanteous to Disgaea 3 in forcing the system upgrade, however I don't see how this is disadvanteous either. It would have been niche anyway and while they could have gone the PS2 route, look at threads when a new PS2 game is announced. Meanwhile, this means Nippon Ichi is priming for PS3 development and this also means NIS, since they have to handle the translation, will now have PS3 dev kits which translates to a few of those niche PS3 releases like the war simulator could come over under NIS since they, unlike Atlus, now have the kits to do it.

Of course the ultimate would be if the Megazone 23 dating sim came over....

Noshino @ Feb 28th 2008 12:38PM

Fernando, I would agree that handhelds are my best choice when it comes to strategy RPGs, I don't think that the touchscreen adds anything...at least it hasn't thus far...

Show me a Fire Emblem that makes a worthy use of the touchscreen....

Fernando Rocker @ Feb 28th 2008 12:54PM

Noshino:

Final Fantasy XII for the DS.

http://ds.ign.com/articles/837/837090p1.html

And any strategy game: Advance War etcs... the stylus acts like a mouse. Just click.

Heroes of Mana DS:

http://ds.ign.com/articles/811/811824p1.html

Noshino @ Feb 28th 2008 1:15PM

Fernando, I still think Intelligent Systems is the best developer when it comes to strategy RPGs for handhelds...

I really thought FFXII was WAY too slow

But Heroes of Mana, wow, that game looks so awesome, I hadn't heard of it, well, I did, but after playing the one for GBA (Children of Mana) I kind lost interest on this sequel...thanks for the info, I ll give it a try.

SabreCat @ Feb 28th 2008 1:32PM

I'm going to have to agree with Noshino on the touchscreen issue. I know in Advance Wars: Dual Strike, I got fed up with trying to touch the tiny units and just went back to the D-pad. Are the units and menus more touch-friendly in Days of Ruin?

FidliousWong (Oatmeal Defense Force) @ Feb 28th 2008 2:12PM

No one has done touch screen selection on the DS right yet. Period. And yes, that includes FFXII and Heroes of Mana.They've done it the best but the game is seriously dragged down by accidently clicking the wrong thing or another during the chaos of battle.

You can't assume SRPGs will magically work better because of the touch screen when all evidence points to the opposite. I mean, not even puzzle quest is 100% on it's touch screen interaction. When BeJeweled with spells doesn't work right, I don't see how Disgaea will.

Besides, I'd prefer they stick with a menu system that works rather than try to innovate where it doesn't.

samfish @ Feb 28th 2008 10:40AM

C'mon, Sony Defense Force – now's the time you tell us how much graphics don't matter.

Agathos @ Feb 28th 2008 10:56AM

Uhm... being a gamer and supporting all 3 consoles, I gotta tell you Drakes Fortune looks and runs more smoothly than anything else out now on 360 or PS3. In the end they both have some great looking titles but I don't see one or the other being much more powerful.

So a game is released using a different art direction, and you try to use it to attack the PS3's capabilities... hmmm... damn and that means I just fell into some fucktard trolls trap!

samfish @ Feb 28th 2008 11:07AM

I'm sorry, could you point out where exactly I attacked the PS3's capabilities? I suspect you either replied to the wrong comment or are reading far too much into what I said.

Noshino @ Feb 28th 2008 11:09AM

uh...samfish, have you been following this franchise? if you have then you should know that it isn't focused on the graphics, but on its gameplay and quirky storyline that has gained the cult following that it has...

Just look at the gameplay videos, its quite a fun game for both casual and hardcore rpg fans alike...

Curmeo @ Feb 28th 2008 11:14AM

hey retard wat are you talking about? this shitty looking PS3 game is better than anything DS and Wii can do combined lol

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 28th 2008 11:24AM

this comment was supposed to go here.

Samfish,

You cry more than a thirteen year old at a Hannah Montana concert or at a Benny Hinn revival meeting.

just shut the FRAK up you big baby.

By the way, not only do you cry a river on a daily basis but you are also a hypocrite with the blatently flameworthy graphics comment.

jackass

Jerk Face @ Feb 28th 2008 11:26AM

Ugh. Curmeo, after reading this comment, I can't believe I defended you above.

KayRazy Ken Kutaragi @ Feb 28th 2008 11:28AM

Hey Big baby...that's what I will call you for now on.

Unlike your precious wii, the PS3 IS capable of outstanding graphics...the developers made the CHOICE to not push the PS3 (why I dont know) hell who am I kidding they did not even give it a prod (Worms style)

When it comes to the wii, it just shows epic FAIL over and over in the graphics department.

waaaaaaaah you you big baby

Curmeo @ Feb 28th 2008 11:29AM

Jerk Face,

all i can say is samfish deserves it: he's always asking for it with stupid comments like the one he made above.

Mills and Boom @ Feb 28th 2008 11:31AM

LOL so true.

Every friggin highly rated game on a Nintendo system gets shot down by the Sony lot because "it looks bad". Regardless of how beautiful it plays or the stupidly high ratings they get.
About how much the Wii sucks because it can't do these big mofo powerful graphics.

Then. Then along comes a game capable of being on a handheld and suddenly graphics don't matter.

The SDF, in their defence, are brilliant. A never ending source of contradictions and hypocrites that always brighten up my day.

THB I'm surprised any of them commented on your post and tried to fight the argument since its pretty much 100% truth.

samfish @ Feb 28th 2008 11:41AM

"uh...samfish, have you been following this franchise? if you have then you should know that it isn't focused on the graphics, but on its gameplay and quirky storyline that has gained the cult following that it has...

Just look at the gameplay videos, its quite a fun game for both casual and hardcore rpg fans alike..."

I know. I'm just poking fun at the people who have told us repeatedly how important graphics are. I can't imagine I actually have to prove my cred to anyone when it comes to the whole graphics v game play thing at this point!
I've never actually played a Disgaea game, though. I don't think I would particularly enjoy it from what I've seen, to be honest.