Dark Cloud is a series of console role-playing games with elements of action and simulation games. There are currently two entries in the series: Dark Cloud and Dark Cloud 2, both of which are exclusively available for the PlayStation 2. A third installment, Dark Cloud 3, is expected to be released in May 2005. The series has been compared to the platform game/simulation hybrid ActRaiser.

Gameplay

Dark Cloud is a role-playing game in which you travel around in randomly-generated dungeons and fight monsters. The twist is that after you collect certain items in the dungeons, they become pieces of geography that you can place on the overworld.

A unique trait that separates it from most RPGs is that your characters don't level up; your weapons do. The more you use them, the stronger they become, however, you must not forget to repair them otherwise they will break and, in Dark Cloud, will be lost forever, while in Dark Cloud 2 you must repair them for them to do any damage. When one obtains a certain amount of absorption points, it can be upgraded; upgraded weapons absorb any attachments and will have a number next to their name (ex: Dagger+1). When a weapon reaches level 5, you can do a Status break. This turns the weapon into an attachment itself, and you can attach it to other weapons.