Dark Cloud Hints III (PS2)

Dark Cloud is a video game developed by Level 5 Inc. and published by Sony Computer Entertainment Incorporated. Created exclusively for the PlayStation 2 gaming console from Sony, it was released in December 2000. The title is classed as an action and role playing game, played from a third person perspective.

Over 400 years ago, as a war between the Eastern Continent and the Western Wizard Army raged on, the world was destroyed because a great evil power was unleashed. Now, the power-hungry and fiendish General Flag is getting ready to launch a ritual with the purpose of awakening this evil once more as the Dark Genie.

The peaceful village of Norune is the first victim of the embodiment of evil. Toan, the son of the great hero Ada, is the only one to survive the attack, and the Spirit King tells him that Atla spheres hold all his loved ones. In order to set them free, the boy must learn to wield a glove called the Atlamillia and defeat the dark powers.

Toan will fight his way through randomly generated dungeons and will have to battle against monsters, while getting his hands on the Atla spheres. As the game progresses, other characters will offer their help to Toan, and will join his party. All characters can equip items and they will also get various objects and power ups that can enhance their fighting abilities. The final aim of the game is to get back all the Atla spheres so that you are able to rebuild the village of Norune.

GAMEPLAY HINTS

Defeating Dran

To defeat the first boss, Dran, run around the area and shoot him with Xiao's slingshot. As soon as you hit him, run up and attack him with your sword. Repeat this until he dies. Depending on the strength of your sword, this could take a long time.

Change to Xiao, then run around the edge (the part that does not crack) and shoot him. Then, switch to Toan and hit him with your sword. You may want to spend some time building up Toan's sword before you face Dran.

Use Toan to run around the arena as Dran makes the holes. When there are a lot of holes, switch to Xiao and lock onto Dran. Wait for him to fly over one of the holes. When he gets over one, shoot him with the sling shot. This will cause him to fall down a hole and take a lot of damage without you having to risk your health by attacking him.

Go into the Divine Beast Cave and get around 2500 Gilda. Next, go back up to the Odd Gaffer's Buggy and buy twenty or thirty bombs. Go back down to Dran and have Xiao shoot his underbelly to get him to land. If you shoot him in the face, he will land and attack with a type of headbutt. Once Dran is on the ground, have your character throw bombs at him repeatedly (use the "Ready Items" at the top of the screen) until he flies back up. Repeat this until he is defeated.

One of the easiest ways to defeat Dran without getting hurt is to use Xiao the entire time. Get over three Repair Powders for her slingshot before you go into the Divine Beast Cave. A Steel Slingshot +3 also helps, but is not required. When the fight begins, switch from Toan to Xiao. Put the target lock on Dran and do not take it off. This is crucial for not getting hit. Target lock Dran and hit him in the face with the slingshot. He will charge you, but you will have plenty of time to get out of the way. By the time he lands, your slingshot should be ready to go again, and you will hit Dran in the face (since you are target locked on him and know exactly where he is). Repeat this until he dies/snaps out of his trance.

Buy about twenty bombs. When in the Battlefield, use Xaio and shoot Dran to get him on the ground. Then, equip the bombs and throw them at him. It works very fast.

Use a weapon with a good amount of Ice attribute active. You can do 180 damage per hit.

Use Xiao first, then Toan. Use Xiao to bring him down, then have Toan charge up his attack and release it on Dran's side. It is recommended to use a Fire element. If you found a Baselord, use it. Have Xiao bring him down and Toan attack, then repeat. If you have bombs, you can also use those.

Here's a video: