Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless – A Return to Familiarity

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless has arrived, signaling a return to form for the Disgaea series. Following the lukewarm reception of Disgaea 6: Defiance of Destiny, which faced technical issues on the Switch and received criticism for its revamped stat system, Disgaea 7 aims to address these concerns and deliver an enjoyable gaming experience.

In Disgaea 7, players follow the story of Fuji, a rogue samurai with a severe aversion to empathy and kindness. As fate would have it, Fuji encounters Pirilika, a wealthy otaku, and the two embark on a journey through the Hinomoto Netherworld, inspired by Japan’s Edo period. As expected from Disgaea, the game features a colorful cast of characters brought to life by outstanding voice acting. Despite their contrasting personalities, the characters complement each other brilliantly, enhancing the overall enjoyment of the game.

The gameplay in Disgaea 7 stays true to its roots while introducing some new elements. Unlike the nearly infinite level cap and astronomical stats from Disgaea 6, Disgaea 7 opts for a more reasonable level cap of 9999. This change offers a better sense of progression and makes it easier to comprehend the scaling damage numbers. The strategic turn-based combat feels familiar and satisfying, and while the game still allows for game-breaking exploits, players will need to grind early on to survive the daunting level jumps. New systems gradually unlock as players progress, offering a more rewarding and strategic gameplay experience. However, it’s worth noting that the addition of boost tickets as DLC may impact the game’s balance.

Disgaea 7 retains many beloved features from previous entries, including the Item World, Dark Assembly, Cheat Shop, and the Juice Bar introduced in Disgaea 6. While auto-battle makes a return, it now requires a resource called Poultergas, adding an extra layer of strategy. The game also streamlines the process of collecting treasure chests, eliminating the need for extensive exploration in the netherworld base. With over 40 classes to choose from, character building in Disgaea 7 offers extensive depth and customization.

Among the new systems introduced in Disgaea 7 is Item Reincarnation, which provides a massive grind for those seeking the perfect item and character. By clearing the Item World, players earn points that can be used to increase item stats and ultimately reincarnate the item into a more powerful form. The process involves redistributing stats and releveling the item, offering extensive customization options. However, RNG plays a significant role, adding an element of unpredictability.

Visually, Disgaea 7 is stunning. Retaining the distinct graphical style of Disgaea 6, the game feels smoother and boasts detailed 3D models. From the satisfying animations of each attack to the Edo-inspired maps with a modern twist, the visuals are visually pleasing and enhance the overall experience. The game’s soundtrack strikes a balance between familiar tracks that fans will recognize and new, original compositions that fit seamlessly into the series.

This article includes information based on a PlayStation 5 Review Code provided by NIS America.