I got a taste of Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness during E3 and one of the main changes to the game is the piggyback system. We mentioned this before on Siliconera and this gameplay mechanic essentially replaces the magichange system.

“Piggyback” is a command on the menu which you can activate if a character such as Laharl or Etna is standing next to a monster like the Dragon or Prinny. When you ride a monster you get a special attack that changes depending on the type of monster you’re riding.

I had Laharl ride Prinny, which give the pair a Bomberman parody special attack. This animation teleports Laharl, Prinny, and the enemy character in a maze and other Prinnies toss bombs in. I teamed up Etna with a Mothman which enables an attack that reaches three squares forward. Use this and Etna borrows the Mothman’s wings and flies straight into the enemy.

Another change outside of battle is the size of the base. Players can walk around Laharl’s castle in Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness and there are plenty of Netherworld servants to talk to. Oh, and if you’re wondering the English subtitle, I asked NIS America where A Brighter Darkness came from. A representative explained that’s because the game’s colors are brighter than the original Disgaea.

From the bit I played, that’s true Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness did look more vibrant than other Disgaea games.

Disgaea D2: A Brighter Darkness is slated for release this fall in North America and Europe.