Dark Cloud is a role-playing video game for the PlayStation 2 video game console. It was developed by Level-5 and published by Sony Computer Entertainment in 2000 and 2001 in Japan and American/PAL regions respectively. The gameplay of Dark Cloud combines action role-playing with elements of city-building games. A sequel to the game, Dark Cloud 2 (or Dark Chronicle), was released two years later. The game's story focuses on a group of adventurers who have all been affected by the destruction caused by a being called the Dark Genie and decide to band together to fight against it. The main protagonist is Toan, a boy who is given a magical stone called the Atlamillia by the Fairy King, which has the power to rebuild the destroyed areas.
Dark Cloud features many characters, some of which are playable. Each playable character utilizes different weapons, fighting styles and abilities that aid in the exploration of dungeon areas. The main protagonist, a boy named Toan, fights with daggers, knives and swords. After the events of the prologue, he is tasked with the restoration of the world by the Fairy King. The main antagonist is the Dark Genie, an evil genie released by Colonel Flag, a second class military commander who wants its power to control the world.
During the course of the game, Toan meets new characters who can only be chosen to explore and battle in dungeons. The player must accomplish in-game events for new characters to join. The available characters include: Xiao, a slingshot-wielding 'catgirl'; Goro, a hunter from Matataki Village who uses large hammers; Ruby, a magic-ring-using genie from Queens; Ungaga, a Muska Racka warrior using staves; and Osmond, leader of the Moon People equipped with a variety of guns and blasters.
Xiao the Cat-girl:
Xiao first appears as a stray cat on the second floor of the Divine Beast dungeon. In there, she is a brown tabby cat wearing a gold bell. At first, when she encounters Toan for the first time, she seems to have a fear of him, running off at first glance, however, as he continues to encounter her, she begins to grow an curious interest in him, often hesitating to take a closer look at him before fleeing.
Xiao was known as the timid cat that hindered among the dungeon floors. Popping up now and then.
In her "human" form, she has cropped auburn hair with cat-like ears, wears brown boots and a short white dress that barely touches her knees, and black shorts/underwear underneath her dress.