I was genuinely excited to review Disgaea 7 Complete because Disgaea is one of those series that I always wanted to play, but never really got around to—due in large part to the series’ prominence on the PlayStation. When Disgaea 5 was set to come out on the Nintendo Switch back in 2017, I was ready to finally experience the iconic turn-based strategy series, but financial issues kept me from it, and I just never ended up getting it.
Disgaea 7 Complete seemed as good a place as any to start, so I eagerly jumped at the chance to review it, and I can safely say: I totally get why it’s so beloved. Not only is it an incredibly deep turn-based strategy game, but it’s accompanied by a lighthearted sense of fun that consistently keeps the game enjoyable to experience.
The most important thing to know about Disgaea 7 Complete is that, if you’re approaching it like me, then you really don’t need to have any prior knowledge of the series to get into it. Both its story and gameplay are explained in a complete enough way that you can approach it as if were your first.
I won’t go into it too heavily, since CGM’s Chris De Hoog wrote an excellent review of the Nintendo Switch release back in 2023. Suffice it to say, Disgaea 7 Complete is the original experience, including all the DLC and some brand-new features like uncapped stats and brand-new challenges. However, in case you missed it, allow me to refresh your memory just a bit.
Disgaea 7 Complete’s story centers around the world of Hinomoto, which is inhabited by all sorts of demons—all of whom used to follow a strict code of Bushido. However, in recent years, that sense of honour has long since faded, and most demons are either exploiting the weak or living off scraps.
The story begins proper when an exceedingly wealthy demon girl named Pirilika, who is obsessed with Hinomoto’s Bushido culture. As luck would have it, Pirilika meets up with a cynical demon named Fuji, who happens to be an exceptional warrior—who is also 10 million in debt. Pirilika hires Fuji to help her face down the forces that have caused Bushido to disappear from the land and restore Hinomoto to its former glory.
Disgaea 7 Complete gets its story right in several ways I can appreciate. For one, it’s well-paced—taking place before and after battles and not belabouring the player with excessive dialogue. Secondly, it’s impeccably written and rounded out by likeable characters who are genuinely comical and make the story fun. It’s constantly finding ways to take the piss out of itself, and often feeling at times like it’s breaking the fourth wall—even when it isn’t directly.
“I highly recommend Disgaea 7 Complete, whether you loved the original and are looking for a mildly beefed-up version on Nintendo Switch 2, or if you’re a newcomer to the Disgaea franchise.”
Gameplay takes the form of a turn-based strategy similar to that of Fire Emblem, but with some very unique differences. Unlike more traditional TBS games that place player units all over a map depending on the setup situation, Disgaea 7 Complete has players select their units from a single spawn point. This allows them to create unique situations where they can decide which units are best for any fight, or begin a battle with a handful of units, and draw more throughout the fight.
Furthermore, certain battlefields have coloured tiles that bestow different effects on both the player and enemies. These tiles can be changed by destroying different coloured stones if they’re placed on the tiles players want altered, so utilizing them can drastically alter the flow of battle. Not only that, players can utilize characters in somewhat silly ways—as they are able to pick up both friend and foe and throw them into advantageous or deadly positions.
There’s a lot to consider in how you approach each battle that gives it an incredible amount of nuance, while also being straightforward enough to engage with in a more traditional turn-based fashion. However, if Disgaea 7 Complete does one thing I don’t like with its gameplay, it’s text-dumping all its rules and mechanics on a player in overly cumbersome menus. Games like these really need to teach through gameplay, rather than give players a pamphlet to read every time a new mechanic is introduced.
Visually, Disgaea 7 Complete maintains the series’ iconic art style, while continuing Disgaea 6’s shift from a more hand-drawn aesthetic to fully 3D. All of the main characters have really fun designs, and the whole world leans on a fantastical Japanese setting that has a lot of charm. Even some of the more…exaggerated anime elements don’t bother me here because it’s all done in such a tongue-in-cheek way that it just comes off ridiculous.
The audio is equally excellent. Disgaea 7 Complete’s narrative cutscenes are fully voiced, and everyone is bringing their absolute A-game—giving each character campy and fun line delivery that feels natural and entertaining. The soundtrack is an eclectic mix that suits every situation—from the hard rock battle theme, to the jazzy hub area theme, to the more traditional Japanese arrangements that accompany cutscenes.
I highly recommend Disgaea 7 Complete, whether you loved the original and are looking for a mildly beefed-up version on Nintendo Switch 2, or if you’re a newcomer to the Disgaea franchise. It’s a silly, remarkably approachable and incredibly fun real-time strategy that it’s easy to lose hours in.
