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Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky game review

It’s here! The new installment of the Mystery Dungeon series is a must for the true Pokémon fan. The story is the same: Save the Pokémon!

POKÉMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: EXPLORERS OF SKY
Nintendo for DS
pokemon-title
Graphics: 6.0
Sound: 7.0
Gameplay: 7.0
Replay Value: 8.0
Overall Score: 7.0
Pros: Five new Pokémon to play as; WiFi offers many features; many Pokémon stories.
Cons: Too much like the previous games; gameplay graphics aren’t detailed enough; needs even more new Pokémon.

GETTING STARTED

To a big Pokémon fan, this new game is like a road trip and heroic adventure combined. But it might be more interesting for the new Mystery Dungeon fan because of the similarities in gameplay to the last two games. For instance, remember the beginnings of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness? You’re thrown into darkness. Then you see lightning and rocks that look like a wolf baring his scary teeth. It’s exactly the same in Explorers of Sky.

As in the other games, you have to take a personality test before you can play. You’ll answer questions such as whether you like karaoke and day-old cake and if you consider yourself to be a pushy person. To figure out your aura, it then asks you to press your finger on the touchscreen gently. (Actually, you’d better press hard or it won’t register.)

My aura was deep green, my favorite color. It was determined that I was brave type with a strong sense of justice and that I won’t turn away from someone in trouble. But I might be too pushy. I became the Electric Pokémon, Pikachu, and chose as my partner a Chimchar, a kind of monkey.

When the actual game begins, you’re washed on shore to meet your cowardly cohort, a Pokémon of your choosing. No matter which Pokémon you choose, he’ll start out as a wimp. And, as in the other games, you’ll start quests by retrieving your shy Pokémon’s stolen treasure.

pokemon3GETTING STRONGER

As you go down, down, down into the deep Beach Caves, you’ll level up and become stronger quickly. Just remember to keep an eye on your health when you find the baddies who took that treasure and called your partner a wimp. Otherwise, you’ll faint and have to start all over again. One way to fend off fainting is to eat berries and apples when your HP meter is low. Keep an eye on that meter and eat often!

If you faint later in the game, you’re returned to your base of operation, Wigglytuff’s Guild. The penalty here is the loss of half of your money and some of the items you’ve been carrying.

Throughout the game, you’ll enjoy Special Episodes, including one with beaver-like creatures called Bibarels, hanging around outside a huge lodge they’ve built in a river. I have beavers near my house, which are sometimes annoying and sometimes cute. So it was a lot of fun to see something like them in a Pokémon game.

You can access the Special Episodes before you finish the main adventure, but you can only play one at a time.

pokemon2CHOICES, CHOICES!

You can play as five new Pokémon characters, including Phanpy, Rioly, Shinx, Eevee and Vulpix. With his long nose and elephant-like look, Phanpy might be the coolest. He’s certainly the only Ground Type available in the game.

You’ll also learn the back stories of a few characters such as Wigglytuff and why he decided to become an adventurer and how Bidoff was inducted into the Guild.

One of the coolest parts of the game comes when you meet the new Pokémon, Shaymin. He’ll become your pal and guide to the very top of Sky Peak. Climbing all the way up is a thrilling trip.

You can play the game either with the stylus and touchscreen or with the D-pad and buttons. This adds a little variety to the game. I like to switch between the two. But I do like the three ways of tapping an enemy to fight against him. One tap throws ammo at the enemy. A Double Tap uses a move you predetermine against your foe. And holding after tapping begins your normal attack.

pokemon1GET A JOB

Along the way, you’ll take several jobs to save the Pokémon. Sometimes, you’ll find a bottle on the shore with a message inside that’s actually a new job. And sometimes, you’ll see a job posting in the Guild. Then you’ll have to fight an evil Pokémon.

Not too long into the game, a feature called Chimecho Assembly becomes available. At that point, you’ll be able to recruit defeated Pokémon to join your exploration team. Some won’t want to join, but many will.

In Treasure Town, you’ll find that new shops keep opening up. There’s a juice bar, a storage facility and Marowak Dojo, where your team battles wild Pokémon. Chansey’s Day Care is where eggs you have won as gifts for finishing jobs will go. Chansey helps hatch small Pokémon in just a few days.

SOME OF THE SAME

Many dungeons can feel the same because the graphics don’t really change. However, the layout of the dungeons changes every time you enter, making each excursion somewhat of a new experience. But it’s not quite new enough.

There are WiFi features from the other games. If your team faints during battle, you can call on a friend to rescue you. Before your pal gets to the rescue point, he’ll have to defeat a bunch of tough foes. Also, when you’re using the WiFi features, look for the Wonder S Mail Service. Here, you can download special jobs that are otherwise unavailable in the game. Finally, you can trade your team for a friend’s team via WiFi.

If you’re picky about your Pokémon, you might find that this game is too much like the other games. However, the diehard Pokémon fan will discover hours of exploration. Through reading, you’ll learn new tales about creatures that are pretty entertaining. But if money is a little tight this year, think about renting the game to see if it’s different enough for you before buying it.

55 Comments on Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky game review

  1. I really want this game. I can’t wait to be riolu… Lucario is awsome!!!

  2. Don Dondondon // December 8, 2009 at 2:55 pm // Reply

    Someone else who like’s Phanpy! I’m not alone! Why is Phanpy such a bad choice anyway? It’s the only pre-evolution starter that get’s STAB from Dig, take THAT Dialga!

    • crazyDSI peep // December 17, 2009 at 6:23 pm // Reply

      right now, I want all of the Mytery Dungeon Games, But i can’t get red rescue cus DSi’s doo not take game boy games.

  3. I have two sons, can they share the game by saving a version each on the ds like they can with playstation games ?

  4. i finally got the game!!! its cool but im still stuck on battling drowzee.

  5. I want this game.=(

  6. pokemon ROX MY SOX OFF!

  7. i want to play the REAL game online

  8. I can’t wait to get this game!!!! It looks like soooo much funn:)

  9. It just like the others. BORING!

  10. Pokemon Ninja // November 27, 2009 at 5:45 pm // Reply

    How do you find Shayman?

  11. Pokemon Ninja // November 27, 2009 at 5:44 pm // Reply

    I don’t have it, but my brother has it. He realy likes it, and also my cosion.My cosion was playing it then made a new game.

  12. pickle pikachu // November 27, 2009 at 5:10 pm // Reply

    Shaymin is awesome.He is the strongest pokemon on there when hes level 100.I cant wait for April 1st to get soulsilver.

  13. … THIS GAME DIDN’T SEEM LIKE IT CHANGED .___.

  14. this game is awesome!!!!!!!

  15. Nintendo Gamer/Pokemon Gamer // November 25, 2009 at 4:32 pm // Reply

    I’ve beaten the entire game. . .
    -Nintendo Gamer

  16. Man this gfame so cool i got it and i am almost done beating it

  17. super nuber 1 pokemon fan // November 25, 2009 at 3:28 pm // Reply

    i like pokemon

  18. is pokemon fun

  19. I SO WANT THE GAME!!!!!!!! But,my birthday is coming up too.BUT I NEED THE GAME!!! 🙁

  20. pipydywe free // November 23, 2009 at 7:54 pm // Reply

    I WISH I HAD THE GAME!!!! But my birthday is coming up, so I might get it then!

  21. Indiana jones123454321 // November 19, 2009 at 4:19 pm // Reply

    I can’t beat dusknoir and the sabyle

  22. i really want to be a riolu but i dont have the game yet 🙁

  23. POKEMON IS COOL

  24. i so want it i will be chimpchar and my partner will be? i dont know can some one give me an answer

  25. I really want it .i,m gonna get it for cristmas I will post back when I get it.

  26. i want this game i want 2 be a riolu with pikachu partner and i’m not stealing your idea riolu…and this game is suposed 2 have more stuff u can do if you have a dsi.

  27. i really, REALLY want it

  28. awsome!

  29. ive beat every game (pokemon)so far

  30. Poke’mon is awesome, I really want that game.But I don’t have a DS…

  31. man,im really gonna get this game.im gonna be a riolu and my partner pikachu.

  32. I think it will be vary cool !!!!!!

  33. i got it yesterday and it is awsome

  34. hhhhhhhhwill // November 1, 2009 at 6:42 am // Reply

    i am not a fan of mystery dongon games but i think i will like this one

  35. really cool! i am sure to get this game soon ( hopefully)

  36. I HAVE THE GAME! It’s pretty cool once you get used to it. If you enter a special chapter, you can’t go back to the original story lines until you beat the special chapter. Aside from that, THIS GAME ROCKS!

  37. I am a boy and I love the game but I can’t beat Darkriy

  38. seems awesome in the explorers i luved it now all i need is aout 20 more dollars mabey birthday or christmas

  39. i also have a flygon lv 68 and a palkia lv84

  40. i bet this game is gonna be so cool!I got pearl diamond and sapphire version and for the most part there pretty good for i have a infernape lv100 and in about a week im getting arceus,but i bet explorers of sky will be better. please post some pokemon that you have!

  41. fear figment // October 30, 2009 at 7:03 pm // Reply

    lol i want a deoxes bad but i have mew2 so i kinnda happy=)

  42. zombie killer // October 29, 2009 at 2:37 pm // Reply

    i got it and it is the bomb!! you cant say your a pokemon master untill you play it!

  43. Awesome

  44. pokemon is so cool

  45. i doubt it will be like the other1’s because look at emraled its not like ruby or sapire.but anyway its reallllly good.

  46. I asked my mom to get some money from my account to buy it and she said she won’t. 🙁
    Maybe I will get it for Christmas

  47. I would get it, if i had a DS (or DSi)

  48. I’ve got pretty much every Pokemon game in existence, Except for this one. I don’t care if its exactly the same or worse, I’m getting it!!

  49. Wow, I really wanna get this game! It looks so cool! Even if it’s a little like the old Darkness and Time games it’s still really cool!

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