Dark Cloud

Overall: C-
Violence: D+
Sexual Content: C+
Language: A
Drugs/Alcohol: B

Platform reviewed: PlayStation 2
Publisher: Sony Computer Entertainment
ESRB rating: T

Have you ever dreamt for a genie to grant your every wish? Such whimsy may be dangerous as the Sony Playstation 2 game Dark Cloud aptly illustrates.

According to the introductory cut scene, a king from centuries past called on black magic to summon the Dark Genie (not the I Dream Of Genie variety) to be used as a weapon of war. But the powers of darkness proved to be a little more than a mere mortal could handle when his implement of destruction abandoned the plan to defeat the enemy army, and instead decided to attack both clashing kingdoms.

Learning nothing from the past, Flag, an evil present day military leader, has reawakened this Dark Genie and is well on his way to annihilating the world. Our hero Toan, caught in this holocaust, narrowly escapes obliteration thanks to the mysterious Spirit King. With the spiritual forces of nature at his disposal the monarch encapsulates Toan's shattered world, piece by piece, in spheres called Atla.

However, the fragments are scattered throughout numerous monster-infested dungeons. In order to reassemble civilization, you must assume the role of Toan, explore the dimly lit passageways (navigation is simplified by a map that is automatically drawn for you), and collect the missing Atla spheres. Of course the dungeon dwellers (one of which carries the key you need in order to move to a different level) are not very cooperative, so you will have to "slice, dice, or julienne fry" who ever gets in your way. (To avoid showing blood, characters politely flash red before meeting their demise.)

Initially, Toan carries a small dagger, but that can be replaced along the journey with swords, spears, slingshots, mallets, rings, and guns found in the depths of the earth. These weapons may also be customized or upgraded by adding attachments, although each has a limited number of attacks it can inflict before it breaks and vanishes forever. The only way around this challenge is to save the game often, use a lot of repair powder, or run away from the pesky pests.

Between dungeon levels, you can surface to work on reconstructing your world using the Edit Mode. (This helps to brake up the repetitious dungeon/battle/key cycle.) Simply plop down buildings, trees, or fences, anywhere you think city-zoning officials might allow. As the jigsaw of each area is completed, the plot advances, and provides you with important items, or even one of five party members, to assist you in your quest. Strategy and planning is important when choosing your allies for battle since each playable character has unique strengths and weaknesses, for example: Xiao, a house cat turned human warrior, is agile but fragile if struck, the genie Ruby attacks with magic rings, but is vulnerable when casting spells, and Goro the tree dweller, is not too swift of foot, but is high-handed with a hammer or ax.

Graphic crafting is exceptional in this game, with painstakingly detailed buildings, beautiful water, real-time shadows, and animated personalities. Yet even this silver lining may present a cloud, especially during the introductory sequence when the blue-tongued Dark Genie ravenously devours an unfortunate priest (not suitable for young children), and a buxom dance leader moves with anatomical accuracy (not suitable for any children or husbands for that matter). Even with the warning of a T rating, parents may find these elements and the violent premise rain on Dark Cloud's parade, even for older teens.

Melanie Law

Note: If you're looking for an adventure game with a similar genre, but with fewer content concerns, check out our review of Zelda, rated E (for everyone).

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