"Gotta recruit them all...and get those SOS done"

I have played the previous game, which was on the GBA system (Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team). Although it was refreshing back then to play it, there were a few problems with it.

Basically, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games have a mystery dungeon system by Chunsoft, which are used in many other side games (another example being some title from Dragon Quest). Though years back when reading about the older game, people have commented that they hate this system. However, I feel that it fits in totally with this game as rescue missions are the main theme.

Now, with this new series, has it gone for the better or for the worse? Let us find out.


[Storyline: 9/10]

This series can be said to be known for the best or most interesting Pokemon stories ever known. People have said it, and I guarantee that this is not an overstatement or understatement.

You play as a human transformed into a Pokemon again, interacting with a rather timid partner and the Pokemon of Treasure Town and the famous Wigglytuff Guild (Team Academy) to find out your true past. Your timid partner wants to form a rescue team, and invites you to join it. Since you have no choice and no place else to go, you accepted it, with hopes that you will understand your past and how you become a Pokemon in time to come.

The storyline is pretty simple and fits in very well such that it does not confuse most people to understand it. Although it may be slightly predictable, it is still fun to go through the story.

There are also many memorable moments in the game, and moments that will really make you sweatdrop a lot. Some of the jokes can be pretty cool or lame, but if you enjoy light humour, go for it!

I will not spoil it for people but there is a major plot spoiler part which may puzzle people or put them off. (Hint: T.P. - Figure it out after you have played.) Don't think too much into it though. Just take for what the story is. Since the Pokemon of concern has special abilities, it explains already a lot of it.

I will definitely guarantee you that this is a story which will keep you thinking or mulling over it after you have played it. That is enough to make it great.

[Gameplay: 7/10]

Same thing goes as previous game. In the dungeons, there is the usual HP/PP system and also the hunger system to worry about. Completing missions give you chances to exit dungeons after completing them, or you can continue on until you have done everything.

It is packed with a long storyline, so hang on tight and train more.

Battle and levelling system remains the same and should be straightforward. For those who don't know or are new to this game, you do not need to use your PP moves, you can just do a normal attack. Exp is given for K.O.ing a target. You can also equip a hold item which can give you special bonus to your stat/abilities, or thrown at targets.

Some people may not be fond of this dungeon system and may find it a little repetitive, but I am okay with it. It is good enough to have random maps and random items to find, so exploring is all in good fun.

[Controls: 8/10]

With two screens and the stylus, life is made a lot more easier. You can navigate through using the stylus. You can put the map on top of the screen or below, whatever fits your liking for it. The only thing is that you may find that the annoying beeping sound that comes along with it may encourage you to use the buttons instead. I tried to look through for an option to mute it but there was not one. You can of course choose to turn off the music if you want, but it makes for less enjoyable gameplay.

The button systems are good enough. The screen guides at starting can help you figure out easily. For helpful tips, pressing Y directs your leader to face the target. Pressing left + A uses the set attack. Holding B and direction allows your Pokemon to run.

[Graphics: 7/10]

For a 2D graphic game, the graphics are just good enough. Nothing really amazing, but there are facial expressions sprites and avatar at different story plots. Sprites for Pokemon remain much the same, except for the inclusion of gender differences. For examples, the female Pikachu's tail tip end has some V shape cutting from the top down. The Doduo's neck for male is black while for female it is brown.

[Music: 10/10]

The music is great. Most of the music fit the mood in this story. Also, some has been remixed to sound really much nicer. It really does feels like a good old Pokemon game to have great memorable music, especially the music played out when humourous or crazy storylines are happening. It may feel like some cheesy drama moment but it is still fun to watch on.

The music is something that the newer Pokemon series really could take a leaf from, since the memorable music in the previous game is something that made those games really fun to play. Some of the dungeon music are pretty nice to listen to, and can range from cheery, adventurous to gloomy or moody, depending on the weather conditions and also the type of dungeon you are in.

[Replayability: 10/10]

Great score for this one! Definitely a mark of a true Pokemon game! You can rescue friends and receive good items. You can do missions through a wondermail system which is very wonderful if you are looking for a specific item. Also, with more Pokemon and gender differences you will be compelled to collect them all over again. Take it easy on the collecting, just enjoy it.

Also, in certain dungeons in later story and gameplay, if you do get defeated, you don't have to try it all over again, you can choose to send a request for friend to rescue you. After the rescue you will start where you were defeated at with full hp and pp. At least you won't get heartbreak here if you are close to the end and try harder! If you fail, get help and just try again!

[Trading/Rescuing Wifi/Password system: 9/10]

Not bad at all, you can send 12-word codes (wifi) for rescues by rescue code (they gave a queue system for it which is rather efficient) or receive wondermail from your friends. If you cannot use wifi, there is the password system which is a whooping 36-characters in length. Troublesome but good enough to be used over and over again. You can also send items and trade team through wifi or passwords too. They also gave an option to send items to help friends with after the rescue, and it has been certainly very helpful for people to receive Escape Orbs or Reviver Seeds to help them out on their missions, depending on their location of story and current team stats.

[So, Time or Darkness?]

If you want Mewtwo, get Darkness. If you want Celebi, get Time. Storyplots are the same except for these exclusive Pokemon.

You can rescue friends or receive wondermails from either versions as the rescue password codes system are standardised for both games.

[Overall]

9/10 score. Outstanding. This is a very good and enjoyable game on the whole. It can be said to be one of the better titles (2D games) right now to have for the DS.

[Buy or rent?]

Definitely Buy. This is one series you can keep and enjoy for some time, until you have collected everything or don't want to collect anymore. Even so, you can choose to rescue your friends or people from GameFAQ board to pass your time, so I will say it is worth it. Go get it, especially if you are a Pokemon fan.

Reviewer's Score: 9/10, Originally Posted: 05/05/08

Game Release: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (US, 04/20/08)