Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories Review — 20 Years On, Still Worth the Grinding

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories asks players to manage a small army of demons, each with their own class, stat build, and personal grudge against the main character Laharl. The game drops players into a war between Netherworld nations, and it never stops moving. Combat layers over combat until the screen fills with enemy clones, and the game rewards patience with absurd numbers.

Trailer, via StoneMonkWisdom.

Laharl’s Quest

Laharl is the prince of the Netherworld, and he believes his father is dead. He spends most of the game seeking revenge against his uncle Overlord Hao, the demon lord who betrayed his father and left Laharl behind. His quest leads him across multiple kingdoms, each ruled by a demon lord with their own army. Along the way, Laharl gathers a party of allies, each with a distinct personality and a reason to fight.

The story is told through text boxes and animated cutscenes, and it leans heavily on humor. Characters insult each other constantly, and the game’s tone never takes itself seriously. That approach works in the early hours, but it can wear thin once the difficulty ramps up.

Classes and Stats

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories expands on the class system from the original Disgaea. Players choose a base class for each character — a soldier, a mage, a priest, a thief, an assassin, a knight, and more — and then build them up through level grinding and equipment. Each class has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the game encourages players to experiment with different builds.

The stat system is simple but deep. Characters gain experience points from battles, and those points increase their stats, which in turn affect their skills and abilities. The game also includes a random chance system that determines success rates for attacks and spells, adding an extra layer of strategy to every fight.

Item World

The Item World is where Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories sets itself apart from other games in the genre. Instead of simply equipping items, players enter a dungeon tied to each piece of gear. Inside, they fight enemies and level up the item itself, increasing its stats and unlocking new abilities.

This mechanic rewards exploration. Players can spend hours leveling a single weapon or armor set, and the game provides plenty of reasons to do so. The Item World is also where the game’s difficulty spikes become most apparent, as enemies grow stronger with each level.

Difficulty Spikes

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is not an easy game. The difficulty curve rises sharply after the midpoint, and some boss fights require careful planning and repeated attempts. The game does not hold the player’s hand, and it expects players to learn its systems through failure.

The challenge is part of the appeal for longtime fans of the series, but it can frustrate newcomers. Some battles feel almost impossible without prior knowledge of enemy patterns, and the game does not always explain its mechanics clearly. Players who want to progress quickly will need to invest time in grinding and learning.

Replay Value

The game offers several paths through its story, and the final chapters diverge based on which characters players choose to follow. This branching structure means players can see different endings depending on their choices, giving the game a longer lifespan than a standard linear campaign.

Beyond the main story, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories includes a mode where players can create their own characters and classes, and a mode where they can replay the game with different settings. These features extend the game’s replay value significantly, though they are optional and not required to complete the story.

Sound and Presentation

The soundtrack for Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is energetic and fitting for the game’s tone. Music changes during battles and exploration, and the tracks are catchy enough to keep players engaged during long sessions. The visuals are bright and colorful, with character designs that reflect the game’s humorous and satirical style.

The presentation is solid, though it shows its age compared to modern games. Character animations are fluid, but the overall look is dated by today’s standards. The game’s menus are easy to navigate, and the interface is generally well designed.

Verdict

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories is a challenging but rewarding game that rewards patience and experimentation. Its class system, stat growth, and Item World mechanics make it stand out from other games in the genre, and its story, while light, provides a memorable journey for Laharl and his allies.

The game’s difficulty can be frustrating, and its humor may not appeal to everyone, but its core systems remain strong. For players willing to put in the effort, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories offers a deep and satisfying experience that holds up well against other games in the genre.

Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories earns an 8.5 of 10.

Disgaea · game review · JRPG · Nippon Ichi · PS2 · PS3