Why yes, my pretties! I own the original PS2 version of the first Disgaea now. Bow down before your master Laharl! Or Master Etna, if you prefer her.
So, I can say Disgaea 1 is somewhat different from Disgaea 2. For one thing, you can't get a felony. Another thing, the senate works a little differently. You have to pass "exams" to increase your prestige in the Senate. (And by "passing", I mean, "Beating the crap out of the examiners." Isn't the Netherworld fun?) On the plus side, if the senate votes nay, it's much easier to persuade by force. In D2, the senators were so powerful, trying to persuade by force was practically suicide. Not so here. Also, Pleinair talks! Although she still looks a little too much like someone from an anime/manga series I have a like/dislike relationship with. (Although I'm sure her resemblance to the Wonder Doll was intentional.)
The game itself is practically the same as D2. The battles are of a turn-based strategy nature, you can create your own characters, the "item world" lets you power up equipment, and the cutscenes are all still images. The story itself doesn't seem to be as good as the one in D2, but the humor is still there. The game is a ridiculous parody of RPGs and modern anime, as well as common depictions of angels and demons. By the way, remember who my favorite character is?
OH NO! NOT FLONNE!
Oh yes, my lovelies! The angel girl herself! This game shows what she was doing before being kicked out of Celestia by the time of D2. She's so cute, it's crazy. And not only that, she is nice. Nice as in, too nice to be a demonslayer. She's one of the funniest video game characters I've ever known.
On the negative side, D1's voices aren't as good as D2's. D2 has some of the best voice-acting ever. D1, in comparison, does not. It's not bad, no, but it's not nuanced like in D2. The Prinnies don't sound as off-beat, and Etna isn't played by Michelle Ruff! (imitating Laharl) This is a travesty! I will execute them myself for this transgression! (getting back to normal) Okay, Etna still kinda sounds her part, but not like in D2. On the other hand, Laharl, Flonne, and Mid-Boss still sound great. "Call me Dark Adonis!"
Anyways, got more gaming to do. This and Mother 3; what's with the RPGs, man?
P.S. FMA vol. 17 rocks. FMA vol. 18 . . . will come out in North America . . . . in may 2009.
Oh bugger.
