Dark Cloud is a 2000 action role-playing game developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment for the PlayStation 2. It was released on December 14, 2000 in Japan, on May 28, 2001 in North America and on September 21, 2001 in Europe. The gameplay combines action role-playing with elements of city-building games. A sequel with an unrelated plot, Dark Chronicle, was released in 2002.
The game's story focuses on a group of adventurers who band together to fight against an evil being called the Dark Genie, who has attacked and destroyed their home villages. The main protagonist is Toan, a boy who is given a magical stone called the "Atlamillia" by Simba, the Fairy King, which has the power to rebuild the destroyed lands.
The game was originally intended as a launch title for the PlayStation 2, but was ultimately released later in the year. Dark Cloud was generally well received by critics, who praised its blend of gameplay types, although some did criticize its combat as repetitive. It has sold more than 1 million units worldwide. |