Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance

The opinions of the critics regarding the story of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are quite varied. Some critics, such as CGMagazine, Game Informer, and TheSixthAxis, express negative sentiments towards the story. CGMagazine finds the relationship between the main characters to be annoying instead of endearing, while Game Informer states that the story is clichéd and uninteresting. TheSixthAxis mentions that the story is relatively straightforward and unremarkable, with some instantly unlikeable characters. However, there are also positive opinions from critics like RPGamer, Cubed3, and Trusted Reviews. RPGamer praises the story as fantastic, entertaining, and fresh, with tons of goofiness and poignant moments. Cubed3 highlights the engaging voice acting and vibrant characters, while Trusted Reviews commends the sharp and entertaining writing. On the negative side, critics such as Pocket Gamer UK, RPG Fan, and Metro GameCentral criticize the story for being poorly written, uninteresting, and lacking in emotion. Pocket Gamer UK specifically mentions cliched and annoying characters. RPG Fan finds the story and characters derivative and feels that the humor has not aged well. Metro GameCentral states that the script and characters are amongst the least interesting in the series. However, there are also critics who appreciate certain aspects of the story. GamingTrend and Impulsegamer mention that the charm and enjoyment come from the main protagonists' antics and the humorous moments in the story. Overall, the critics' opinions on the story of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are mixed. While some critics find the story clichéd, uninteresting, or poorly written, others appreciate the fresh and entertaining elements, the vibrant and memorable characters, and the sharp and humorous writing. RPGamer's positive opinion stands out, as they describe the story as fantastic and entertaining, with a real bond between the characters. However, it is worth noting that there are criticisms regarding the characters, with some being instantly unlikeable or annoying. The consensus seems to be that while the story may have its flaws, it still manages to provide enjoyment through its humor and character development.

The opinions of the critics regarding the gameplay of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game's tactical RPG combat, describing it as enjoyable, satisfying, and deep. They appreciated the strategic variety, with returning gimmicks and new features such as the Revenge Mode, Chara World, and Squads adding depth to the gameplay. The battle system was often commended for being fun, challenging, and faster-paced than the average strategy RPG, with limitless strategy and character customization options. Critics like CGMagazine, Game Informer, Gamestyle, PlayStation LifeStyle, Push Square, and ZTGD all highlighted the engaging gameplay mechanics and the ability to build powerful teams. However, there were some criticisms regarding the gameplay of Disgaea 5. Some critics, like RPGamer, mentioned that the game requires a massive amount of grinding to complete, which can be a deterrent for some players. The level design was also criticized by RPGamer, stating that it was a major step backwards compared to previous entries in the series and that it prevented the game from reaching excellence. Additionally, RPG Site mentioned that newcomers may feel overwhelmed by the complexity of the gameplay, although veterans of the franchise would feel right at home. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the gameplay of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is highly enjoyable and offers a great amount of depth and content. The majority of the critics praised the tactical RPG combat, the variety of strategic options, and the customization features. They appreciated the new mechanics that complemented the existing ones, such as the Revenge Mode and Squads. The positive opinions of critics like Gamestyle, PSNStores, Twinfinite, and Trusted Reviews further support the overall sentiment that the gameplay of Disgaea 5 is very good. However, it is worth noting that there were some criticisms regarding the grinding requirements and level design, which may affect the overall experience for some players.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are generally positive. Many critics praise the game's visuals, describing them as bright, colorful, and gorgeous, with great detail in character designs. The sprites are consistently drawn and animated, and the 2D visuals look better on the Nintendo Switch's display. Critics like NZGamer, PlayStation LifeStyle, and Switch Player specifically highlight the vibrant and memorable characters, the incredible detail and color, and the beautifully hand-drawn, crisp, and vibrant visuals. IGN also mentions the improved visuals and special effects, noting that the game looks sharper and cleaner than its predecessor, with a good balance of warm and cool colors. The visuals are further enhanced by the over-the-top special effects and animations for attacks, which are described as fantastic and amazing by Push Square and TheSixthAxis respectively. The game's visual style, which combines 2D sprites on a 3D plane, is also praised for creating an interesting anime-inspired aesthetic. However, there are some criticisms regarding the Graphics and Visual Design of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance. Some critics, like CGMagazine and Pocket Gamer UK, mention issues with the voice acting not fitting the character models and describe the game as ugly and devoid of life respectively. TheSixthAxis also states that the visuals are not impressive, with polygon environments that don't push the PS4, and character sprites that are detailed but static. Trusted Reviews mentions that the visuals are a bit dated, with a focus on sprites and attack animations. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance has visually appealing graphics and visual design. The game's bright and colorful presentation, along with the detailed character designs and vibrant sprites, are widely praised. The use of 2D sprites on a 3D plane creates an interesting visual style that is well-received. However, there are some criticisms regarding aspects such as voice acting, static character sprites, and dated visuals. Despite these criticisms, the overall sentiment is positive, with critics appreciating the game's visuals and finding them visually appealing.

In analyzing the opinions of multiple reviewers regarding the Sound Design and Music of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance, it is evident that there are both positive and negative aspects to be considered. Several critics, such as God is a Geek and Hardcore Gamer, praise the music and soundtrack of the game, with God is a Geek describing it as "excellent" and one of the best in recent RPGs. They specifically highlight the catchy vocal tracks and the upbeat battle themes. RPGamer also mentions that the music fits well with the battles and notes the improvement in the series' music over the years. On the other hand, there are criticisms regarding the voice acting in Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance. CGMagazine criticizes the voice acting as some of the worst this decade, mentioning that the voices for the supporting cast do not fit the character models. NintendoWorldReport also states that the sound bites loop too much and become irritating, which is seen as a drawback of the game. However, it is worth noting that Cubed3 praises the voice acting, referring to it as on-point and highlighting the game's genre-savvy charms. Overall, the consensus among the critics is mixed. While there are positive remarks about the music and soundtrack, with several critics mentioning specific highlights, there are also notable criticisms regarding the voice acting and repetitive sound bites. PlayStation LifeStyle acknowledges that there are some bad performances and one major offender in the lobby song, but also mentions that the majority of the songs and voiceovers are on point. It is important to consider the different opinions and weigh the positive and negative aspects when forming an overall assessment of the Sound Design and Music in Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance.

The opinions of the critics regarding the voice acting in Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are quite varied. Some critics, like Cubed3 and God is a Geek, praise the voice acting, describing it as on-point, great, and enjoyable. They appreciate the performances of the voice actors and find the characters charming and lovable. RPG Site even goes as far as mentioning specific voice actors, such as Vic Mignogna, Kira Buckland, and Mamoru Miyano, and commends their fantastic performances. These positive opinions indicate that there are aspects of the voice acting that are well done and add to the overall quality of the game. On the other hand, there are critics who have negative opinions about the voice acting in Disgaea 5. CGMagazine criticizes it as some of the worst this decade, particularly pointing out the bad voice acting for the supporting cast and Killia's voice acting. PlayStation LifeStyle mentions that some performances remind them of a pandering children's cartoon series rather than a game for all ages. Metro GameCentral also expresses disappointment with the voice acting of the lead character, Killia, stating that the voice actor seems disinterested. These negative opinions highlight issues with certain voice performances that detract from the overall experience. Overall, the consensus among the critics seems to be divided. While some critics praise the voice acting and find it enjoyable, others have more negative opinions, pointing out issues with certain performances. However, it is worth noting that the majority of critics who express their opinion on the voice acting have positive things to say. Critics like Cubed3, God is a Geek, and RPG Site highlight the strengths of the voice acting and the positive impact it has on the characters and script. Despite the negative opinions expressed by a few critics, the overall sentiment leans towards the positive side, suggesting that the voice acting in Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is generally well-received.

In terms of the technical performance of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance, the reviewers had mixed opinions across different gaming platforms. On the positive side, the game was praised for running smoothly without any technical issues on the PS4, according to IGN. Trusted Reviews also mentioned that the game runs flawlessly on the Nintendo Switch. This indicates that both platforms offer a solid and stable experience without any major hitches. However, there were some minor performance problems reported on the Nintendo Switch. God is a Geek noted a minor stutter when walking around the hub world, while RPG Site mentioned slight stuttering when rotating the camera wildly in the populated base area. Hardcore Gamer also pointed out occasional slowdown on crowded screens. These issues, while minor and not affecting the overall experience significantly, do indicate that the technical performance on the Switch may not be as smooth as on the PS4. Overall, the consensus among the critics is that the technical performance of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance is generally good across both the PS4 and Nintendo Switch. While there were some minor performance issues reported on the Switch, such as occasional slowdown and slight stuttering, these did not detract from the overall experience. The game was described as running smoothly without any major technical issues on both platforms. This suggests that players can expect a solid and enjoyable gaming experience regardless of the platform they choose.

The opinions of the critics regarding the Replay Value of Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance are overwhelmingly positive. Many critics praised the game for offering a vast amount of content and post-game activities that keep players engaged for hundreds of hours. Game Informer, GameCritics, and Gamestyle all highlighted the game's extensive content and long-lasting gameplay experience. They mentioned the abundance of side quests, leveling systems, and secret characters that provide players with countless hours of exploration and enjoyment. PlayStation LifeStyle and Push Square also emphasized the game's quests, challenges, and unique mechanics that drive completionists crazy and keep players hooked. These positive opinions indicate that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance excels in providing a rewarding and replayable experience for players. However, not all critics shared the same sentiment. RPGamer expressed concerns about the tedium involved in the game and the extra grinding required to progress through the main story. TheSixthAxis also mentioned that newcomers might find the sheer amount of content overwhelming. ZTGD criticized the post-game content, stating that it lacked variety and was tedious in terms of character progression. Despite these criticisms, the negative opinions were in the minority and did not significantly impact the overall positive reception of the game's replay value. In conclusion, the majority of critics praised Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance for its exceptional replay value. The game's extensive content, including side quests, secret characters, and customization options, was highly regarded by critics such as God is a Geek, Impulsegamer, and RPG Site. The inclusion of post-game content, downloadable extras, and the potential for hundreds of hours of gameplay were also major factors contributing to the game's positive reception. While a few critics mentioned concerns about tedium and overwhelming content, the overall consensus among reviewers was that Disgaea 5: Alliance of Vengeance offers a highly replayable experience that is worth the investment of time and energy.