When Dark Cloud was released for the PS2, I was extremely excited. It had the elements of a action/RPG with some cool stuff. The georama idea of rescueing towns and rebuilding them piece by piece was awesome. Unfortunately, that is where the fun stopped. I didn't get a instruction bookley, and had no idea how to upgrade my weapons for the longest time. The dungeons being random all the time got silly, and there was no total new content.
Now, I got up the courage to get DC2, but it wasn't that easy to find. I did buy a copy off Ebay, but the seller actually ripped me off. I trudged around the city and finally found a copy.
( Note: I haven't finished the game at this writing)
First, Level 5 is the bomb! The cel-shading that distracted me from LoZ: Wind Waker, was not a issue here. The graphics were awesome, and obviously, Level 5 is making a name for themselves. Check out screen shots of the upcoming Dragon Warrior VIII. But, graphics alone do not make a game.
The storyline is cool too. I was surprised, since it goes on the same basis as Darl Cloud, but it is a rich, interesting storyline. I am a storyline kind of person. Without going into it for people that haven't played it and want to, it is worth the price to at least rent it.
The mechanics of the game haven't varied much from the original game. They spent a lot more time giving you better weapons and a better system for building them up, but you still need to level weapons like no tomorrow. I ahven't gotten in far enough since I am in the middle of moving, to start the Georama portions of the game, but the fact that their position changes things in the future of the game is a cool idea.
The charaters of Max and Monica aren't flat like in the first game. I actually care about Max finding his mother, compared to whats his name in the first one.
Over all, check it out. I plan on playing hardcore when I settle in after moving.
Oh, one more thing: Like Final Fantasy X, it will be one of the best movies you have ever played.