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 Ice Queen Saia

Buy about fifteen Fire Gems from Joker's Store in Queens. If you need money, sell fishing bait. When the battle starts, use a Drans Feather to get very close to her while trying to avoid her shots. When you are close enough to her, get a lock and just keep tossing the gems at her. It is best if you can keep her trapped in a corner.

At the start of the battle, run back towards the door and switch to Xiao (easier to control) and get behind either of the pillars that are closest to the door. Lock on to the Ice Queen and get behind the pillar so that you cannot see her. The Ice Queen's Icy Blasts cannot hit you as long as you are behind one of those pillars. Take one or two steps out from behind the pillar after you see a bluish cloud, and attack with Xiao. Then, dodge back to your hiding place. If it says "No Effect" then switch to Ruby (make sure Ruby's weapon Attribute is on Fire) and repeat the same thing you did with Xiao. Then, switch back to Xiao, you can attack about five times before it says "No Effect". Once again, switch to Ruby and attack once. Keep repeating this attack pattern and you will defeat the Queen while remaining completely uninjured. If you get frozen, switch characters quickly -- the frozen character will sometimes break free. If a fireball shoots down, switch characters and run -- the fire ball will miss.

When the battle begins, use a Dran's Feather and get very close to her. Attack with a powerful sword and retreat. If your sword is strong enough, it will immediately break La Saia's shield. Next, attack with Ruby until she raises the shield then attack with Toan again. Keeping this attack pattern will defeat the Queen very quickly. Note: Make sure you take Cheeses and Throbbing Cherries, and set your weapon's attribute on Fire.

This Boss has a large amount of health, so use Goro if possible because he has a very high attack. It also helps if he has the Holy Judgment Hammer. Also have a lot of fire gems (at least 20 or 30). Start by attacking with Goro or a character with a high attack and break her ice shield. Then, attack her with Ruby;s Fire attribute attack. After you do this, her ice shield will reappear normally after doing a move that does a fair amount of damage in a big circle. It is easy to avoid, but sometimes it is faster to just take the damage. Repeat this using fire gems when you can. After doing this about fifteen or more times (depending on your attack), she will be defeated. Also, have a lot of Cheese, Rival Powder, Repair Powder, and Stand In Powder for the battle.

Here's a video: