Next Disgaea Story Idea!

[Orionbash]

I love Disgaea games. Not for their gameplay, but for their storylines. They're over the top, humorous, and an all-around great experience. Which is why I would like to share my friend and I's concept for a storyline. It made us LOL, and hopefully others on this forum will enjoy it as well!

Now, before I get into the topic, I realize that this probobly has zero chances of actually coming to fruition. Again, I just want to share it

If you've ever played Fallout 3, then just saying the name, "Little Lamplight" will probobly make you cringe. Interacting with children in games can be really frustrating at times, because the rules involving children in games are so strict. In certain games, children will intentionally piss you off and there's really nothing you can do about it! I can even recall playing a game called, "Rule of Rose" in which the last boss fight had children's clothes littered about the room intended to symbolize the death of the children you interact with in the game. Although, if I recall correctly, in the Japanese version they're actually there. It was just swapped out for the North American version because of ESRB ratings. Then you've got games like Grand Theft Auto or Saints Row that don't even have children in them because accidently running over one while trying to get away from the PoPo would be considered a crime against humanity.

So, what I'm getting at is, children are treated differently in games. They're immortal and follow a different set of rules than any other character you'll interact with. Which brings me to my story idea!

In a section of the Netherworld, a demon has managed to become the next overlord. In order to protect himself and his position, he has taken it upon himself to decrease his age to that of a child! He's immortal and untouchable. And, with his new-found immortality and power, he's free to do what he wants.

Enter the main character! For whatever reason/ambitious goal is motivating him, he has to decided to overthrow said overlord. But, because the overlord is a child, he's unable to do so. Instead, he has to go around committing nefarious deeds to raise the ESRB and change the overlord back into his original form so that he can actually, you know, do some damage.

The homeroom/base of operations could easily become a boardroom of lawyers. And, the level design could change the higher the ESRB gets. You could go from really cute, happy levels to something a bit more mature (In order to keep Disgaea's rating the same!).

I really think this idea is comedy gold and practically writes itself. What do you guys think?

[ZekeFreek]

Yeah, you lost me at "not for it's gameplay".

[Orionbash]

Yeah, you lost me at "not for it's gameplay".

Doesn't mean I don't enjoy it's gameplay! I just adore their storylines, giving me reason to keep playing. I'm like that with all games, though. I'll trudge through something I think is terrible gameplay-wise if it keeps me captivated in its story.

[Sasarai1987]

You have to admit that the story is more involved than the game play. Both are good, but I play Disgaea for the quirky sense of humor. It's very tongue-in-cheek, and a tad morbid at times. The self awareness that the games have adds to the setting, same goes for when it breaks the fourth wall.
To say you play Disgaea for the gameplay is like saying you eat hamburgers for the bun. Sure, it's good and all, but it's not the main attraction.

With this idea in mind, it plays off the dark sense of humor, no one wants to hurt a child, but the self awareness kicks in because Disgaea will fully admit that it's a video game, and doesn't pretend to be anything else. The characters will often discuss how this is a game, and give you tips with that in mind. So, having the main story be about the game, and how you have to raise the ESRB to battle the youthful overlord follows the previous narrative of story telling.

I think it's a fun idea, and plays well off of Disgaea's strengths.

[ZekeFreek]

You have to admit that the story is more involved than the game play. Both are good, but I play Disgaea for the quirky sense of humor. It's very tongue-in-cheek, and a tad morbid at times. The self awareness that the games have adds to the setting, same goes for when it breaks the fourth wall.
To say you play Disgaea for the gameplay is like saying you eat hamburgers for the bun. Sure, it's good and all, but it's not the main attraction.

With this idea in mind, it plays off the dark sense of humor, no one wants to hurt a child, but the self awareness kicks in because Disgaea will fully admit that it's a video game, and doesn't pretend to be anything else. The characters will often discuss how this is a game, and give you tips with that in mind. So, having the main story be about the game, and how you have to raise the ESRB to battle the youthful overlord follows the previous narrative of story telling.

I think it's a fun idea, and plays well off of Disgaea's strengths.

Yeah, you lost me at "not for it's gameplay".

Doesn't mean I don't enjoy it's gameplay! I just adore their storylines, giving me reason to keep playing. I'm like that with all games, though. I'll trudge through something I think is terrible gameplay-wise if it keeps me captivated in its story.

No, you people have it backwards. The gameplay is the meat, and the story isn't even the bun... It's like the cheese or the ketchup. Entertaining? Most definitely. Emotional? Occasionally. Hilarious? Usually. But it's not the focal point. They didn't build a game around a story, they put a story into a game.

Disgaea is the deepest, craziest, most addictive SRPG series ever made. The myriad of ways to make units stronger and utilizing their abilities in challenging stages is the whole point. And these days, that is a unique thing. Any game can give a good story, hell I don't even need a game for that, I could watch a movie, or read a book or some shit. But only disgaea can give me this gameplay that I love.

Also, your story idea is preposterous. For one thing, Japanese gamers wouldn't understand the in-joke about invincible children in games, since that's a rarity for them and kinds of games they play. Though I hear that Bethesda games are surprisingly popular over there so... Maybe. Still, I think the whole idea you have is too western-oriented. And also, I think... Not enough to build a whole story around.

[AsukaNeumaki]

5% of the time spent playing Disgaea is the story. The other 95% is building up your units and equipment to make the absolute strongest team.