If you are a fan of the Action-RPG genre of games, then Dark Cloud is the game for you.
Storyline: 8/10
The storyline in Dark Cloud isn't exactly adventurous. The game revolves around a mute protagonist, with the default name of Toan, who gets wrapped up in a large scale adventure of sorts. A creature called the Dark Genie has been revived, and now its up to Toan, who bears resemblence to Zelda's Link, to save the day. With the revival of the Dark Genie, the world has been completely obliterated. The task to restore the world to its former glory has been passed to Toan by the great fairy king.
Doing so will require orbs called Atla. With these atla, Toan must rebuild pretty much every area he visits from the ground up. During his quest to rebuild the world and defeat the Dark Genie, Toan comes across many allies who will aid him in his quest. This quest will take him everywhere from a city to the moon. The storyline doesn't go much past this basis. Even with this simple storyline, the game still seems to leave a feeling of accomplishment with you at the end.
Gameplay: 7/10
The gameplay in Dark Cloud closely resembles that of Zelda. There are two types of interfaces, fields and dungeons. However in a field is where the innovative Georama system takes place. In the georama menu, you can assemble and place buildings, roads, trees, and rivers etc. Also, there are three areas of georama completion to be aware of. If you can get all three areas at 100 percent, the game grants you special, rare items that make the game a lot of easier to complete. These things can range from weapons to event items.
The dungeons in Dark Cloud tend to a bit monotanous. This is because almost every floor is randomized, therefore many of the textures and monsters are reused over and over again. The games says the purpose for it is to give the player an inability to memorize dungeons floors, but I think the actual reason is to annoy the crap out of you. Each dungeon has whats called a Gate Key, which is required to make it to the next floor. Atla is also obtained in a dungeon.
Combat can only take place in dungeons, and is executed in a Zelda-like fasion. You can lock on to a foe with the Circle button, attack with the X button, and guard with the R1 button. The SELECT button can be pressed at any time to switch to one of your faithfull allies, and switching enemy targets is executed with a tap of the L1 button. Also, while locked on you can stafe around your enemy, There is also an Active Items window, which has three slots and can hold just about any inventory. These items can be used with the Square button. The combat seems a lot like Zelda, but fits nicely in the game and works pretty well.
Graphics: 8/10
The graphics of Dark Cloud are probably the best for such an early PS2 game. The characters look pretty well designed, but seem to lack any type facial expressions during battle. Shadows and things of that sort are all intact and are pulled off well. The camera is decently responsive and you can press the Circle button to move it behind you at anytime, but tends to get stuck behind an wall while you are locked on to an enemy. Despite the few camera glitches, Dark Cloud checks out in this area.
Sound: 6/10
Dark Cloud's music is flush, colorful, and also slightly annoying. While spending the 2-4 hours completing the georama, the tone of the flute can make you want to punch a brick wall with your bare hands. Although some of the tunes are nice and enjoyable, most of them are just plain monotanous. You know you've heard one too many flute trills when you begin humming the theme like you've been brainwashed. The tracks that don't get very dull are the dungeon and boss fight tunes. They are fitting and go with the mood, and also tend to go with the flow of the battle.
Overall: 8.5/10
Even bearing its own flaws, Dark Cloud stands on its feet to be an enjoyable gaming experiance. It may not be the most original Action-RPG on the market, but it may be the most innovative. Successfully combining world-creation, combat, and great storytelling and making it an enjoyable RPG is no easy feat, and Dark Cloud accomplishes this.
Simply said, if you are a fan of the Action-RPG genre of games, then Dark Cloud is the game for you.