Dark Cloud (2000)

by Christopher December 14, 2000

written by Christopher December 14, 2000 5 minutes read

Summary

Dark Cloud combines strategy, combat, and creative building elements in an epic tale of rebirth and hope, making it a classic in the RPG genre.

Release Year: 2000
Genres: Adventure, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator
Platforms: PlayStation 2, PlayStation 4
Developers: LEVEL-5
Publishers: Sony Computer Entertainment

Introduction

An introduction to Dark Cloud, a groundbreaking RPG that combines traditional role-playing elements with innovative town-building mechanics.

Synopsis

The game uniquely combines the mechanisms of action role-playing games with elements of city-building games. The story revolves around a group of adventurers who band together to fight against the Dark Genie, who has attacked and destroyed many villages. The main protagonist and player character is Toan, a boy who is given a magical stone called the Atlamillia by Simba, the Fairy King, granting him the power to rebuild the destroyed lands.

The player’s role involves sandbox micromanagement themes, where they are tasked with building facilities, connecting utilities, and managing staff. The player is responsible for the finances of their prison, and for meeting the needs of their prisoners, such as sanitation. The player is able to implement various reform and labour programmes that reduce the specific prisoner’s recidivism rate.

The game takes inspiration from Theme Hospital, Dungeon Keeper, and Dwarf Fortress. The player can allow additional conditions to be applied to their game, such as simulated temperature, gang activities and more extreme weather conditions, to increase the difficulty of the game and to simulate a prison in conditions nearer to reality.

A major component of Dark Cloud’s gameplay involves special items called “Atla” which are used to rebuild the world outside the dungeons. Atla, which are present in most dungeon levels, are large spherical objects which can be retrieved by Toan only.

Characters

Detailed descriptions of key characters in Dark Cloud, including Toran, the evil demon spirit, and other allies and adversaries encountered throughout the game.

Gameplay

An analysis of Dark Cloud’s gameplay mechanics, including combat, puzzle-solving, and the Georama system for building towns and landscapes.

Conclusion

A concluding assessment of Dark Cloud’s legacy as one of the PS2’s first RPGs and its lasting impact on the genre.

Review Score

8.5/10

Art

Cover Art

Screenshots

Fan Art

Fan Art Style: Normal

Fan Art Style: Retro

Fan Art Style: Modern

Christopher

Christopher has carved a niche for himself as an authority on retro pre-2000 computer games. With a passion that borders on reverence, Christopher delves deep into the pixelated past of gaming, unearthing gems and sharing insights that resonate with both nostalgic players and curious newcomers. His articles serve as a time machine, transporting readers back to an era where gameplay and creativity often trumped graphical fidelity. Cristopher's expertise isn't just in cataloging these classics; he analyzes their design, the context of their creation, and their impact on the gaming landscape, offering a comprehensive look at the evolution of digital entertainment. Beyond mere retrospectives, Christopher champions the relevance of these retro games in today's high-definition world. He skillfully draws parallels between the foundational mechanics of yesteryear's titles and the modern gaming innovations they inspired. His work goes beyond mere preservation; it's an ongoing dialogue between the past and present of gaming. Christopher's content educates, entertains, and ignites discussions within the gaming community. His dedication not only keeps the legacy of pre-2000 games alive but also highlights their importance in shaping the future of video gaming.