Bridging the gap between the GBA and the DS and giving Pokemon fans something to play while they waited for Diamond and Pearl to be released, came an unexpected title called POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON. Split again into two very similar games, Blue and Red rescue teams graced one on each platform and are essentially the Pokemon franchise's attempt at a stratergy RPG. One that is surprisingly well done in fact.
STORY: Yes, in a rather shocking move, this Pokemon game actually has a plot behind it. You as the main character awaken one morning to discover that you hae been transformed into a pokemon. With no idea how this happened or how to change yourself back again, you are forced to immerse yourself into their world. A task made simpler by you're 'partner' in crime, another pokemon who sets up a rescue team with you and the pair of you begin a world-wide quest to save fellow pokemon from the mysterious accidents that are taking place everywhere, turning some pokemon feral and dangerous. All the time, searching for a way to become Human again.
GAMEPLAY: One of the most interesting features of this game is right at the very start, where the game asks you a series of questions in order to determine which of the 16 pokemon best suits you, and then gives you a choice of what kind of pokemon your partner will be from a list of all the starting pokemon from the originals to Emerald (including pokemon Yellow). These features ensure that you can play the game countless times with different combinations - and coupled with the random dungeon generator gives the game brilliant replay value.
Combat is a simple affair using a mixture of the buttons available and the menu (the DS makes more use of the bottom screen but otherwise is exactly the same in all features). Enjoyable for the most part, there are some times when repitition of tasks makes the game drag.
GRAPHICS: Using the same graphics engine as Pokemon Emerald, the game looks pretty on the GBA, but you'll be wonderng quite what the point was in forking out more money for the DS version of the game. Bright colours and 2D graphics are the name of the game here and for the most part they are done wonderfully. Some Pokemon seem bigger than they should be scale-wise (or my pikachu was fat!) but otherwise it's spot-on visually.
SOUND: Musically this isn't a massive step forwards, but at least the game avoids having tunes that grate on your last nerve. So much of the game relies on dubling back over old areas that the thought of doing it to bad music would just about kill a man. Luckly the music is mellow and easy to get along with, if no memorable. The opening theme is very pokemon feeling and the sound effects are largely taken from other pokemon games so they fit in with the world setting perfectly.
OVERALL: 90% it's not a game I'd suggest you buy if you're after a pokemon game in the 'collect them all' sense, but it's a clever and well thought out approach to a kids tactics rpg with multiple scenarios and a strong cast of likable characters. If you're looking for a handheld game that's funny, cheeky and keeps you interested after multiple sessions then I strongly suggest this game. Link up features are also handy for trading items and enjoying dungeons with other characters in a co-operative mode. Buy it now before it becomes one of those hard to find classics, but buy it for the GBA and save yourself some cash!
Dragon Press
Artist Resources
Webcomics
Collaborations
News
Site Information
