Dark Cloud Hints XXIV (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 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, under the guise of the Dark Genie.

The peaceful village of Norune is the first victim of the embodiment of this 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 trying to get his hands on the Atla spheres. As the game progresses, other characters will offer their help to Toan, and will join his party. All of them 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 recover all the Atla spheres in order to rebuild the village of Norune.

GAMEPLAY HINTS

Tram Oil

You can find Tram Oil on the first level of the Divine Beast Cave. It is in a chest and only appears up after repeating the level many times.

Toan's Ultimate Blades

Use the Bone Rapier and Build-Up to the 7th Heaven.
Use the Wise Owl Sword and Build-Up to the Chronicle Sword.
Use the Macho Sword and Build-Up to the Sword of Zeus.

Ultimate weapons

Use the Build-Up command instead of Status Break to get the best weapons in the game. Status Breaking will only take away 40% of your weapon's power. Use the Status Break only when getting special abilities for your main weapon.

Have the shipwreck level unlocked and have a good weapon. This trick actually works for any dungeon's back floor, but it is easiest with the shipwreck level as you can just buy the Flapping Fish for the "Master". When you get the Flapping Fish (make sure it is next to some ice), press Triangle, and if possible, go to the button that reads "Go To Other Area". Go to shipwreck. Go to floor 1 and do not bother with the enemies, as your ice will probably melt before you get to the "Master". Note: The Master is the purple question mark. Once you go to the back floor, have fun with your treasure. Do not get discouraged if you don’t get any gems because it is not guaranteed that you will. However, if you are lucky, you can get two or more gems. Once you defeat all the enemies in the back level, go to the button that reads "Leave Dungeon" and press Queens. Once you are in Queens, go to Ruty's Washery (or something similar) and buy another Flapping Fish, and if needed, more ice. Again, this works with the back floor of any dungeon, but is best with the first floor because the enemies are weaker, and the chances of finding a gem seem to be increased.

Here's a video: