Looking Back at Dark Cloud - Tarks Gauntlet

Dark Cloud, a sort of RTS, JRPG, Action adventure game with survival elements....hybrid... was a game that people talked about a lot around me while I was growing up. This crazy new thing. Combat like zelda, dungeons, a fantasy setting, breakable weapons, RTS town building... and what? You have to watch your levels of hydration?
For some reason these concepts together were all foreign to us as kids at the start of the PS2 generation, and so when I played it as a kid, though I enjoyed it, I found it REALLY hard to keep up with!
Going back to it it's not nearly as convoluted as I remember, in fact I'd dare say it's a pretty down-right simple game, though it has aged in areas.
Dark Cloud, One of the Playstation 2s greatest hits, and one of level 5s most ambitious games of the time, is a bit of a relic of the past, but the question is, is this a relic worth digging up and revisiting, or is it simply too archaic and unweildy to be worth it?
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[@mandalorianroby2542]

This game teaches you the importance of staying hydrated

[@Neo-Abobo]

This was great. Dark Cloud was one of my first ps2 games and I found this super nostalgic. Would love to see you go down memory road and review more older games.

[@R4nD0m57]

Back when this game launched, I was in elementary school, and video games felt so new. I was unable to figure out how to unlock the first door to leave the dungeon and never returned to the game since recently. Just played and beat the whole game, it was trying towards the end as I broke my sun sword and other great weapons, but was too tunnel visioned to re load. The last boss was trying but I feel like I really conquered some loss past I had, I wonder how different my life would of been if I was able to play and finish this game as a child , when I has originally intended. Glad I played it, glad it is over.

[@justinmartinez9901]

one of my favourite games. spent so much hours running through towns, meeting the people and taking in the beautiful music. DC2 was even better, wish they made a 3rd.

[@pureevil9496]

I remember being told I could get one PS2 game at a store when I was little and excitedly picking up Ratchet and Clank before having my eye caught by Toan in his weird hat I sure had no idea this odd game would be forever engraved in my childhood memories or that I'd revisit it now and then for decades

[@TarksGauntlet]

Man I remember having a similar situation with PC games once. My mom telling me I could get 1 game from a scholastic book order. There was some cool things I had my eye on.. Then Extreme Paint Brawl caught my eye. Paintball was the shit at the time so I went with that and lets just say... mistakes were made.

[@powwowken2760]

One of the best RPGs ever made, it's mechanics put many modern games to shame even today.... Plot is pretty weird, but I just see it as an excuse for the awesome mechanics

[@PelvicGaming]

You almost make me want to play this game again...Almost. When I played it back in the day I LOVED it, but the gamer I am today knows I won't enjoy it as much. But man this is a trip down memory lane. Thank you for this. ALSO I HAD NO IDEA ABOUT THE ZELDA REFERENCES HOLY SHIT. You blew my mind, sir.

[@damiendavenport3d]

I replayed it a few months ago and loved it way more with my adult patience and love of the grind!

[@shadowmaksim]

Watching this brings back some memories. The game was pretty easy overall as far as I can recall but, as described in the video, damn can the punishment for some mistakes and decisions be rather brutal in how much they set you back. Some unnecessarily so. It is definitely rough in more than a couple ways to say the least, something "Dark Cloud 2" thankfully mostly sorted out. But even then, I can't help but still have this fondness for it over its sequel regardless. Just has this charm to it that manages to win me over despite some things. I've always had this odd appreciation for janky things, even to this day with modern gaming.

[@canadianmapleeh8288]

My favorite ps2 game still to this day. I will always love this game.

[@Rodgerwilco91]

Amazing game. So underrated. As a kid I could never beat the game because I only ever trained the main character. I’m currently working on building two ultimate weapons with every character.

[@Rodgerwilco91]

I feel like you really undersold the music. The music is one of the best things of the game in my opinion.

[@Werax111]

This and DC2 were among my favorites on the PS2. It's a damn shame Sony has license of the game, otherwise I feel Level-5 might have actually done something with it.

[@stephenskillern8065]

Same, yeah Sony is still not letting go.

[@DaredevilFan39]

One of my favorite games ever! So underrated!

[@EmoURYU]

Oh man the music is amazing. I quite like it. It was one of my first ps2 games and i simply love it. Recently discovering its cut content was interrsting. I remember eagerly awaiting Dark Cloud 2 as a kid and beung dissapointed when a 3rd game hasnt to this day come out 20 years later.

[@SmashJT]

I really need to get to this game. I missed it the first time around. Fantastic job on the video as always, Tarks!

[@one8576]

The game gives you ways to make sure your weapon never breaks as long as you have an auto-repair powder on hand. It is fair enough, like how if you forget warp wires in Etrian Odyssey, your party will be killed off because you weren't careful enough.

[@whenisdinner2137]

I actually like the consequence of losing your weapon if you break it. It made you actually think about what you were doing.

[@LemmyKilmister187]

This was my very first game outside a nintendo, and as such it my be understandble that i lack any flaws to give this game. it was childhood constructing to me. im very happy to see this game got an attencion from you, tarks, cus you review things in such a way that even if i disagree with you i can totaly understand where you come from. expected the soundtrack to be given more praise tho, it was the best part of the game for me, the sad themes brought me to tears back in the day, but then again, it was a decade ago :p

[@borpisstartsmemetrends4106]

This is so epic that someone actually made a review video. I really love this game, I believe a remake of this game would do it the justice it deserves

[@pablokpsctr]

Aw man, the story was very entertaining to me back in the day. And I dont remember very well, but I believe I also got emotional with the story of the boss in the town thats like a harbor I was very young anyway, but I would really like to replay this someday.

[@SheldonKreger]

Love the throwback to an obscure classic. I never had a PS2 as a kid so I missed out on this one. Great video!

[@IceMedic]

I'm pretty late replying to your comment but they have Dark Cloud and Dark Cloud 2 on psn.

[@TrayGChevorletCorvette]

Dude. You didn't have a ps2 as a kid. I'm so sorry for your loss

[@doubledamn2599]

I never finished this thing until the PS4. I almost got there once on the PS2, was dozens of hours in, at the Dark Genie, had the Chronicle Sword (without the Broken Dagger), and then...... my memory card corrupted all data. Devastating. Praise be to Super Steve!

[@JRPGforlife]

This was my very first ps2 game that I played have so many good memories of this classic

[@TheYashakami]

Rts is so far from being a proper description of the georama system. I've yet to see a single game do this better than the dark cloud series. The socketed building structure is interesting and the deep interaction between characters and their neighbors is super satisfying. Honestly it's a travesty that this game has not had a 3rd installment.

[@DandyCrocodile]

Like you I was heavily influenced by this as a kid but never beat it. Thankfully with the PS4 release and knowledge of the weapon glitch I was able to finally see it through to the end which was monumentally satisfying.

[@SirCharles.]

I loved this game back in the day, but I remember getting stuck like over halfway into the game and I never finished it. Definitely want to revisit this one! I hope they do a 1&2 HD Remake one day.

[@n.b.2164]

Now I feel like going back to this game. I've dropped it twice and always after awhile feel like playing it again. I will beat it one day.

[@DuoBeard]

I’m still guilty of replaying Dark Cloud a few times too many these days, especially with it being on PS4, it was a very welcome title Great episode Tark

[@StarlinkNova]

Having never played the Dark Cloud games myself, I always heard great things about the second game but not much praise given for the first. After watching this review though, I think I'll give first game a try before I play the second one. You have convinced me of this 👍.

[@JustAnotherPerson4U]

This one has great simplicity in the plot and village and town characters. But they still feel wholesome and feels satisfying when rebuilding the towns. I will happily admit that Dark Chronicle is a better game technically. But I personally love the first game more for its flawed perfection. The first game is still a good game technically despite paling in comparison to its sequel in terms of the game system, a lot of it containing scrapped ideas from the first game which they didn't use due to time restraints.

[@swsgaming4878]

This game was awesome and I want to to play it again. How ever my attention span on games have dwindled. I tend to play about 20 to 40 hours of a game and never touch it again... The review was great and it brought back great memories. Glad I subbed

[@felldoh9271]

“I’ve been waiting for you, at the bottom of the ocean…”

[@6zdog]

Played this originally on PS2 and made it all the way to the final boss, just to not know as a kid how to beat it. Played it again on PS4 and kicked his ass. Love both Dark Cloud games and wish we would a sequel.

[@Taiknight99]

Because I played my friend's copy of this, I never got far in this game. My time with DC was short but memorable. It was on sale recently on PSN. And man I forgot how charming this game is.

[@MargaritoTrevino]

I never played this I would always think about ff7 cloud and then was disappointed that it wasn't him, I wish I would of picked it up though

[@Makoto03]

I could never get into the original Dark Cloud, despite the marketing for it heralding it as the 'Zelda killer'for Playstation or something. But i love Dark Cloud 2. The sequel is like night and day different from this title and just appealed to me more.

[@TarksGauntlet]

I loved Dark Cloud 2 waaaaay more growing up and still feel it's one of the best or at least most interesting looking games on the PS2. After all this time though, I wonder how I'll feel going back to it. I ended up enjoyed Dark Cloud 1 a lot more than I remembered, Dark Cloud 2 might go either way for me haha.

[@Elayzee]

I thought it was great when it came out. But revisiting it, I changed my mind. It aged like milk.

[@DanielSantosAnalysis]

I liked this game a lot when I was younger, I liked the sequel even more, although I beat DC1 but not DC2, I need to fix that. Anyways, good video mah dude.

[@MarceloKamui]

I really like this game, never beaten it.. have to do it ^^

[@axel88er19]

Dark Cloud 2 is where it's at😁

[@rohry4905]

Man I just played through the entire game for the first time recently and didn't realize until the final dungeon that there was a quick swap button for changing characters...

[@TarksGauntlet]

I played through a game a couple months ago and didn't discover until the credits reel that there was a run button haha. I feel like everybody has a story or two like this.

[@rohry4905]

@@TarksGauntlet oh my god, I feel for you dude making an item the run button was definitely a wierd choice. All I know is I'm spending time reading a damn controls list the next time I play an older game I'm unfamiliar with haha.

[@Infinit3Enigma]

I loved Dark Cloud 1 over 2. I actually liked the weapons better in 1. Who doesnt like getting a chain of one shot (even on bosses) with the critical ability procs xD

[@LadyEspia]

This game is a gem 💎 ✨️

[@dmas7749]

there's more differences than there are similarities to Ocarina of Time in OoT, the dungeons are meticulously hand-crafted, the combat has more options and is more strategic, and the bosses are that and more in Dark Cloud, the dungeons reuse the same assets until near the end in psuedo-random generation, making the dungeons outstay their welcome, you have less options unless you resort to attack items which only seem good early on or if your OP weapons break funny thing is i actually like Dark Cloud 1 a fair bit more because while the combat is more limited, its more engaging as few enemies take advantage of OoT links full moveset whereas each character has a unique way of dealing with each enemy under good conditions -it also runs higher than 20 FPS-

[@TarksGauntlet]

Shouldn't've crossed out that last bit. As much as I love OOT and find the Dark Cloud Comparison from back in the day to be shallow at best, what you said is painfully accurate.

[@dmas7749]

@@TarksGauntlet i still need to go back and beat OoT lol, thankfully the 3DS remake runs at 30 FPS, which is a HUGE difference to a nerd like me those two sound clips do sound pretty damn similar tho

[@one8576]

In OOT you face almost zero enemies over the entire game. It has zero real RPG mechanics. In Dark Cloud you are fighting non stop against various enemies. It is a proper action RPG.

[@dmas7749]

@@one8576 um. what. we weren't arguing about action RPGs. that's also just plain wrong.

[@one8576]

8:08 What are you talking about, this is exactly like Shenmue!

[@doubledamn2599]

Really wish they fixed the Magic Feather Duster Back Area Key issue for the PS4 release.

[@TheDerpyMuffin]

The Gallery of Time dungeon? Yeah I wish they did, it's only on the Japense version which is a let down

[@kyan3022]

It took me until a few years ago to actually beat it, but because I have the European/non Japan version, I've got the 100 level place afterwards which I've only got to level 60ish area 😅

[@JohnnyLodge2]

I actually think this game would make for a good TV series or movie for kids/teens.

[@Begaria]

Time to check out the much superior Dark Cloud 2 which fixes basically everything wrong with Dark Cloud 1, has a great cast of characters, and still holds up to this day.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Growing up I've always loved DC2 more than the first. Still hold it up as one of the best/most interesting looking games on PS2. I'm definitely overdue for a replay though. The trouble is finding the time haha.

[@kimmysqueaks276]

When I lost my weapon the first time I learned to always have auto repair powder on me and to be more careful. Though seeing you traverse the dungeons without dran’s feather hurt me so.

[@TarksGauntlet]

There were very few times I felt the need for Drans Feather. I found the game speed generally fast enough, and with the camera being what it was any faster usually didn't feel that easy to handle. If I used my melee characters more I'd probably use it for the old hit and run, but more often than not I just killed everybody in 2-3 hits with a slingshot. I think I used it once on a boss, and once just trying to get through an annoying floor quicker, but that was about it. But I also play most of my games in a more slow/methodical way, and visit every corner of every map taking a nice long look at things.

[@kimmysqueaks276]

Tarks Gauntlet oh I explore every nook and cranny as well! Though I grind in shipwreck a lot since you can buy the back key. I use the dran feather to level up all my character’s faster. Plus I felt some of the levels dead ends wasted my time. I’m methodical but also incredibly impatient. Though if you look at my file I maxed out the timer!

[@tigerfestivals5137]

I love the atmosphere in this game and the overall concept, but the clunky combat was especially bad in many of the boss fights. It was enough of an issue for me that i put the game down after getting to the boss of the port/deserty area.

[@MargaritoTrevino]

Doesn't Ni No Kuni have a town builder part? Have you played that?

[@TarksGauntlet]

Ni no kuni 2 has a town builder but you don't really have much freedom with it. Everything has to be placed in a specific area and there's not really much exploring it. Overall the town building in ni no kuni 2 feels more like a phone game.

[@MargaritoTrevino]

@@TarksGauntlet oh I haven't played those either one day I'll have time to

[@steveco1800]

Had Dark Cloud 2, good game but enjoyed Rogue Galaxy more TBH.

[@dynastystar5515]

I feel the reverse, I dislike rogue galaxy and loved dark cloud 2

[@steveco1800]

Think it was the style and setting of RG that is mainly why. Admit generally DC2 was received better.

[@shizuwolf]

Should I get 1 and 2? Or just 2?

[@borpisstartsmemetrends4106]

Ok so you should get the first one it explains why the genie is born how and on top of that the second one makes sense after you play the first one

[@maxx4944]

Crazy...my name is Toan and my son name is Atlas. I must find a way to play this.

[@reyntime1950]

Loved this game but hated the sequel.

[@leonard9624]

I didnt play this up till now.

[@damianserah]

when white knight chronicles

[@edwardboyce380]

I used to play the game my dad beat it

[@FlavioThepianist]

They should remake Dark cloud 1 & 2 for ps5!

[@shizuwolf]

It’s on PS4

[@FlavioThepianist]

@@shizuwolf I know I have both games.

[@peterh.5396]

Supposedly dark cloud 2 is superior you should do a review of that one too.

[@durem1733]

just use the right stick to move the camera? lmao

[@AggravateHC]

Anyone who played Dark Cloud knows you calmly turn your ps2 off and start from last save.

[@one8576]

I thought they should have made it more similar to SimCity, and had given property values and services to the town.

[@StiffAftermath]

11:36 - The next four sentences make no sense. How about, have the weapon just NOT be destroyed, just break. Have it do 1 damage to enemies. Fix it to use it again. Keep it simple.

[@Bleepoh]

only a weak gamer would know you have switch party members in an Hp well loll

[@shizuwolf]

I prefer Rogue Galaxy

[@dynastystar5515]

Just so you know, there is an item in the game that you can buy and equip to your active items. If your weapon breaks, the "Auto Repair Powder" is consumed, it costs 10x as much, but quite often I find that was worth it in exchange for not having to reload my save or lose my weapon's progress in exchange for 200 for each use.

[@TarksGauntlet]

Yup, I bought quite a bit of the auto-repair later into the game. I think it only works if you put it in the "Hot slots" which I usually use for the offensive items, but it can be a life-saver especially if you're forced into using somebody you don't want to. Money also becomes really plentiful around the half way point of the game. I think by the end I had over 40k un-spent or something.

[@dynastystar5515]

@@TarksGauntlet that's what I meant by active items

[@dynastystar5515]

@RUBY DA CHERRY never played a Dark Souls game.