bit-tech Shopping: Nintendo Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time (DS)

Rating: 8

Time with product: 3 Months

Strengths: Yay, more pokemon

Weaknesses: It's pretty much the same as previous games

Summary: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon pretty much follows in the same tracks as previous pokemon dungeon offerings. Instead of red and blue this time we have darkness and time. The two games are almost completely the same, differing only by the types of pokemon offered. While this won't bother most gamers, there are a few diehards who absolutely must collect each pokemon available and will thus buy both copies.In this game, you play a boy with memory loss who teams up with a pokemon and joins the explorer's guild. By going on missions and exploring dungeons, you're given more exposition about machinations that could destroy the fabric of time. On the missions you will fight random pokemon who once defeated can join your team. As the various pokemon gain levels, they will have new attacks and also evolve into new forms. This game should be a lot of fun for pokemon fanatics and is a bit easier than previous mystery dungeon games. There's not much that's new here, but I guess they've decided not to mess with a winning strategy.

Rating: 8

Time with product:

Strengths: Solid Mystery Dungeon title featuring the Pokemon characters

Weaknesses: Graphics and menus based on the GBA version and a little out of date for the DS

Summary: Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Explorers of Time (which is nearly identical to its twin Explorers of Darkness) is the latest in the Pokemon flavor of the mystery dungeon formula. To those not familiar with this genre, it means you will spend most of the game delving into multi-floor randomly-generated dungeons to fight monsters and collect loot. The player controls one character (in this case a Pokemon) and takes one step at a time in the grid layout of the dungeon. With each move the player makes the monsters around can also make a move. If you end up surrounded you can take quite a pounding. So the game ends up being somewhat like a simplified strategy role-playing game. Unlike those, though, you are just controlling one character and you are also doing exploration instead of just dealing with battles. You can battle with melee or magic attacks, and have a variety of items to help you out (and will find many more while exploring). In this game you also have a secondary Pokemon that follows you and helps out with the fighting (but is controlled by the computer). As with all of these titles, if you die in the dungeon you get sent back out minus all your accumulated money and most of your loot. So the game can actually be somewhat challenging despite its kiddie appearance. As you complete tasks (all involving dungeon diving) you will progress in the story. The game is a decent dungeon crawler and a good introduction to the mystery dungeon formula. Unfortunately they have not made too many improvements from the time this franchise was on the Game Boy Advance so the title does not appear as up to date as it should on the DS. Still, for the Pokemon fan looking for a change of pace game, this might very well fit the bill.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 1 Month

Strengths: New conceptNice new graphicsmaximum use of stylus

Weaknesses: Does not let you evolve the pokemon you choose till you complete the game

Summary: This game brings new concept into Pokemon games.In this version you get to be pokemon instead of being a trainer and the friends you make help you on the missions.You can get wild Pokemon to join your team but you can have only four pokemon in your party at a time.Catching the "out laws" the bad guys is also fun. Bank the items you find or you may loose most of it if you faint during a mission.A very enjoyable game for any pokemon fan.

Rating: 10

Time with product: 2

Strengths: Deep and satisfying gameplay. Lots of Pokemon and dungeons. Fast-paced.

Weaknesses: Story mode has a lot of blather.

Summary: The sequel to Blue/Red Rescue Team, Explorers of Time has a variety of worthwhile enhancements while not deviating much from its predecessor. The dungeon-crawling is still as fun and rewarding as ever, and the graphics and music are a bit better. As before, EoT is a very accessible roguelike for the masses. If you enjoyed Blue/Red Rescue Team, you'll enjoy this. If you haven't tried a mystery dungeon game before, this is a good way to start.