Disgaea 3
Third Disgaea title, first on PlayStation 3, with magichange and evilities.
Disgaea 3: Absence of Justice is a tactical role-playing game from Nippon Ichi Software, released for the PlayStation 3. It marks the third installment in the Disgaea series and the first to appear on that console. A sequel, Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten, followed in 2011. The game was later ported to the PlayStation Vita, launching in Japan in December 2011 and elsewhere in 2012, with all previously released downloadable content included from the start.
Gameplay revolves around turn-based battles on isometric grids. The battlefield features geo blocks that alter stats; unlike earlier games, these can now be stacked or stood upon. Players can lift, throw, or destroy many objects, including these blocks and even characters. Some classes can create boxes or barrels to use as stepping stones. Characters can also form stacks to reach higher ground or execute tower attacks. Throwing a character toward a monster-type ally causes them to bounce further, depending on the monster's direction and throwing stat.
A new mechanic, magichange, lets monsters temporarily transform into specific weapons for a partner. This requires both characters to belong to the same club, and the transformation lasts three turns by default—or three turns if the Magichange Club is used—after which the monster vanishes from battle. Characters now have weapon proficiencies, similar to Makai Kingdom. They can wield any weapon, but only proficient ones allow skill use. Weapon skills are purchased with mana earned from defeating enemies. Many skill areas have been rearranged, and each weapon type hides two special skills.
Characters can equip up to two evilities—special augmentation abilities—to boost performance. One evility is standard per class; the second can be customized. When a monster uses magichange, its primary evility transfers to its partner. After defeating the final boss, an epilogue chapter unlocks, offering bonus maps and characters. Players can either explore these extras or restart the game with stronger characters. The epilogue contains extreme challenges for hardcore players, from maxing out characters into the millions to defeating a final secret boss and the land of carnage.
The story is set in a Netherworld school called the Evil Academy. There, a good student is one who skips class, never shows up, and starts fights. The most active participant in such behavior is
- Developer
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Publisher
- Nippon Ichi Software
- Platform
- PlayStation 3, PlayStation Vita
- Genre
- Tactical role-playing game
- Release (PS3)
- 2008 (Japan), 2009 (North America)
- Release (Vita)
- December 2011 (Japan), 2012 (other regions)
- Sequel
- Disgaea 4: A Promise Unforgotten (2011)
Lore & Background
The game is set in a Netherworld school called the Evil Academy, where good students engage in evil activities like truancy and fighting. The protagonist, Mao, son of the Overlord, aims to overthrow his father after his gaming systems were destroyed. Inspired by a manga, Mao resolves to become a hero to gain power, leading to conflict with his childhood rival Raspberyl, who wants to maintain her status as top delinquent. The plot involves Almaz, a hero fanboy from Earth, who misunderstands the situation and becomes Mao's slave after being defeated. Key story elements include the Heart Bank, where demons store memories, and the butler Geoffrey, who is revealed to be the Super Hero Aurum in disguise, manipulating events to test Mao.
Reader's Guide
Disgaea 3 introduced several new gameplay mechanics. The magichange feature allows monsters to transform into weapons for a partner, lasting two turns (or three with the magintology club). Characters have weapon proficiency, and weapon skills are unlocked by purchasing them with mana. Evilities provide two special augmentation abilities per character, one standard and one customizable. Maps feature geo blocks that can be stacked or stood upon, and characters can form stacks for tower attacks. The game includes extensive post-game content, including bonus maps and characters after the final boss. Additional downloadable content added characters from previous Nippon Ichi titles, such as Disgaea: Hour of Darkness, Disgaea 2: Cursed Memories, Makai Kingdom, Soul Nomad, La Pucelle, Rhapsody, Prinny, and Hayarigami. The PlayStation Vita re-release, Disgaea 3 Return, included all downloadable content from the PS3 version at launch. The game received generally favorable reviews, with critics noting its accessibility for newcomers but also its dated graphics and steep learning curve.
Did You Know?
- Disgaea 3 was the first game in the series released for the PlayStation 3.
- The magichange feature allows monsters to transform into weapons for a partner, but the monster disappears after two turns unless in the magintology club, which extends it to three turns.
- Two PlayStation Home game spaces were released for the game: 'The Nether Institute, Evil Academy' and 'The Chairman's Room'.
- The game's plot involves a 'Heart Bank' where demons store parts of their heart and memories to become less feeling.
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