Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless Critic Reviews

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless sets a new standard for fun and flashy strategy RPGs. It's such a perfect blend of classic Disgaea feel and quirky new mechanics, and it's got some of the most memorable and entertaining characters the series has seen. This is the sequel that fans have been waiting for.

With incredibly in-depth tactical gameplay, a gorgeous art style, and a cast of some of the finest characters in the series, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is one of the most enjoyable SRPGs I’ve played in years.

Just as Disgaea 6 was an example of how a good series can begin to deteriorate over time, Disgaea 7 is a good—nay, great—example of how it’s never too late for a series to get back on track. Not only does Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless fix the myriad mistakes of its predecessor to the point of over-correction (and I mean that in a good way), but it even finds ways of utilizing mechanics that debuted in Disgaea 6 in ways that are both balanced and, if you’ll pardon the pun, intelligent. Regardless of whether you lauded or loathed the adventures of Zed & co., there’s no excuse to skip out on what is both the latest and greatest entry in the Disgaea series. Hinomoto is beckoning you—answer its call!

Not only is this a great Disgaea game, but it is also the best introduction to the franchise or even the genre.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is the biggest proof of how amazing the series is when its elements click and bring it back to the right direction after some missteps. Combat, story, characters and setting all work together to make it one the best game in the whole franchise.

Disgaea 7 is the return to the series in style, being by far the most accessible game in the series through its different options while retaining the characteristic identity that has popularised the franchise, both through gameplay mechanics and the development of the plot. Undoubtedly an option to take into account for fans of the series and the tactical RPG genre.

Disgaea 7 takes the series back to its golden days and offers tons of tactical combat and a comic story, making it a perfect fit for the fans of JRPG. It's not by any means a revolutionary experience and doesn't help the genre to move forward.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a substantial step-up from the previous game and it's bursting with so many zany mechanics and party customisation options that it'll make your head spin. Trying to master some of the missions will still give you a headache, though.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless continues the Disgaea series' inexorable march forward, adding new mechanics and further complexity. It features a story campaign that goes down smoothly, if a little forgettable, but it's full of clever encounters that require more input than previous outings. It won't convert unbelievers, but for those already on the hook, it's as good as the series gets.

Disgaea 7 is a course correction from some of the mistakes made in Disgaea 6. Gone is the slimmed-down character roster that saw many series staples disappear - instead, Disgaea 7 has more class options than any previous game, with entirely new classes and monsters to boot. Gone are the overinflated stat values and the game-breaking unrestricted auto-battle mechanics. The result is a game that feels more ‘Disgaea’ and less experimental, making it a more fitting modern follow-up to the crowning glory that was Disgaea 5 as a result.

If you liked previous Disgaea games — grinding your levels up to max, performing increasingly higher damaging attacks, and seeing a mass of numbers fill your screen — Disgaea 7 continues that trend and amplifies it further. Combined with genuinely funny dialogue, a pretty good story, and a customization ocean that is as deep as it is wide, you have a game that can hoover up no small amount of time out of your day. More of the same isn’t necessarily a bad thing, and Disgaea 7 proves that axiom easily.

Like the rest of the series, Disgaea 7 is a massive game. The combat and progression systems boast near-infinite depth. The writing is snappy and fun, the music is catchy, and the art style is extremely anime. On the other hand, those infinite systems are downright impenetrable. You need a very particular focus to wade through so many menus. And the grind is still monumental, no matter what sneaky tricks you employ. For fans of the series, Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless is a series highlight. To all the new players, I say: Welcome! This will either be a joyless slog or the start of a brand new addiction.

Disgaea 7: Vows of the Virtueless sticks to the tried-and-tested format of its predecessors, for better or worse. If you’re a fan of the series but you’ve found yourself getting a bit tired of the gameplay, there’s not much here that’s going to hugely revitalise your interest. For those who simply can’t get enough, however, this might prove to be a highlight. The visuals are bold and have real character, the story is entertaining, and you have more options than ever when it comes to putting together your team and developing it. For most Disgaea fans, then, that’s more than enough reason to jump into this latest entry.

Disgaea 7 is a remarkable SRPG with an unremarkable story that gives you little reason to move past Alliance of Vengeance.