Disgaea [DS]

Disgaea's turn-based strategy battle system is straightforward, with a moderate learning curve that shouldn't prove too intimidating. The grid-based battlefield is presented on the bottom screen while the top houses a valuable map that marks both enemy and ally units, making the game significantly more player-friendly because it aids in character positioning. Another feature that increases the game's ease of use is the ability to maneuver the camera, which greatly helps in targeting because you're able to get a better view of both the field and your opponents. There's also a very well-integrated zoom feature that enlarges panels to make them easier to select with the stylus, which is a convenience often lacking in most DS strategy RPGs.

The game's most striking aspect is its geo-effect system. Geo symbols, which are colored objects that grant special effects to their same-colored geo panels, can significantly alter the battlefield to the point that you can't proceed without dismantling or transferring them. For this reason, you might want to destroy every geo symbol on the map, but the most effective way of doing so, chaining, involves both the transferring and destruction of multiple geo symbols, which can quickly become tiresome and frustrating for beginners.

• Takes advantage of dual screen for new battle features
• All new story focus means a new experience and all new endings
• geo cubes can turn a battle in a moment use them wisely
• wireless head to head multiplayer mode