My wife loves Dark Cloud and Dark Cloud 2 for the PS2 and I'd like to surprise her with another similar game.

I was wondering if any of you can recommend a game that's like Dark Cloud (on the PS2 system). She likes the RPG elements, but wants the "real time" combat like in Dark Cloud. Other RPG games require that you "take turns" with the combatant (i.e., Arc The Lad). She doesn't really like that.

So, any recommendations for games VERY similar to Dark Cloud would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

Kingdom Hearts
Champions Of Norrath 1 & 2 (hack & slash RPGs)

I've never played the dark cloud series but this thread may be helpful.

http://www.dvdtalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=414196

Baldur's Gate 1
Baldur's Gate 2
Champions of Norrath
Champions of Norrath Return to Arms

These are all hack and slash RPGs, meaning it is all action. They all have different characters you can choose, and the player is left with a lot of opportunity to upgrade weapons and armor, buy health potions, etc.

Any one of them will be fine, but I reccomend either the first Baldur's Gate, or the first Champions of Norrath, as they are around $15 to $18 used these days. New ones would be only slightly more.

The best part about all of these is that they are all TWO player simultaneous cooperative play, meaning you can both play together on the same team, without split screen etc. It is a lot of fun, so long as she doesn't mind playing with you.

Speaking from experience, I reccomend that you let her pick up and carry the gold.

Edit: you don't have to play two player, it is just an option.

Baldur's Gate: Dark Alliance

Y's 6

notes: Dark Cloud 3 coming soon later this year

Jtnguyen12-

How do you know Dark Cloud 2 is coming later this year? Please post a link to info if you've got one. Thanks.

Kingdom Hearts for sure!

I haven't tried star tropics myself, but that is supposed to be good as well.

Musashi: Samurai Legend and the upcoming Shining Tears should be good. Tears is also 2 player simultaneously, so you can enjoy it along with your wife.

Thanks for the advice. We picked up Champions of Norrath and love it. We finally have a game we can play together.

You're welcome. The sequel is good, and the Baldur's gate games are basically the same thing, if you need more of the same. They also just released a very similar game for the PSP, but that would be a $600 investment for 2 players, so only for the insane.

Baldur's Gate 1 also had some easy cheat codes, which made the game a lot of fun, even after we had beat it twice. If playing a co-op game as a dwarf and sorceress in their underwear is funny to you, it is definitely worth the $15 for the game.

Remember, even when you kill the monster, it is still her gold. Even if you have to carry it.

So true....