Game:

Dark Cloud (2000)

Duration: 4:11

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410

http://www.unseen64.net

"September 21, 1999 - Knowing the importance of the RPG contingent in the game world because of its PlayStation experience, Sony Computer Entertainment Inc has planned at least one RPG for its March 4, 2000 debut of PlayStation 2, a game by the name of Dark Cloud.

[...]

What makes Dark Cloud so intriguing isn't the graphics, which look as good as those seen on a Dreamcast or high-end PC. The hook here is the game's Georama system, which enables players to create their own town using several onscreen tools. The central character's 'plot in life' if you will is to build up his island, creating a village, complete with houses, hills, churches, temples, volcanoes, streams, and even a choice of weather. Players can build paths, bridges, windmills, and other necessary structures as well, and if they're unhappy with them, a hammer-like tool can be used to destroy them and rebuild.

Reminiscent of Legend of Mana's land-make system, the Georama system also does something extremely compelling. By using a combination of Select and other buttons, players use a menu-based system to create their village, and once you're finished your player can immediately adventure in it. The camera zooms from the isometric map to the actual playfield in a sweet, graphic effect never seen before. The system is extremely easy to use, and it's relatively quick, too. Unfortunately, no battle scenes were available for play at the show. So, it's unclear right now whether the battles are real time or turn-based.

From the playable demo at the Tokyo Game Show, much your time isn't so much required for building as it is making allies and clearing out baddies from neighboring towns. With this angle, you'll create a coalition of villages for a final confrontation with the evil kingdom that's stolen your land.

The magic carpet scene introducing the game provides an excellent link to knowing how the main character travels from air to land and back. We'll have more soon."

http://ps2.ign.com/articles/073/073208p1.html

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