I'm starting off this review to say one thing- I love this game. I really love this game. I bought it cheap, expecting an average, run-of-the-mill spin-off. But trust me- it's WAY Better Than It Sounds.
Saying this will probably end in my decapitation, but the gameplay itself isn't as godawful as everyone says. Sure, it has problems, but it's not terrible. For example, it can get painfully slow. This game allows multiple status conditions at once, unlike the main games, which takes forever to wear off unless the enemy puts you out of your misery, which makes a useless slot filler appear in your bag. And my God, THE SPEED BOOSTS. HATE them. HATE HATE HATE HATE them. You walk into a room with a monster house (random Pokémon rain from the sky and try to slaughter you), and one of them sharply raises the speed of every single enemy in the room- and uses its next turn to use the move again. This can take a minute of scrolling if it doesn't kill you. However, for players of the main games, you no longer fight one at a time in a Random Encounter that takes several seconds to load before you can run. Instead, you see everything coming and you fight it in the overworld, which is way faster than the traditional Pokémon battle if you don't get slowed down. Also, the dungeons have variety in the types, but the gyms in the main games are all one type, so they're predictable and easy. So, the gameplay isn't the best, but it's not "Omg teh wurst evarz".
Now, saying that, what's so great about this game? First, the music is not only exceptionally well-done, but also well-placed, like this. But mostly, the story. This series focuses on character development and plot other than just becoming the master, which we didn't see in the main games until Black and White. The characters are well-written and you really do care that the hero and Grovyle have to sacrifice themselves for a better future to happen. In fact, all Grovyle even wants is that better future- a simple sunrise is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Your partner grows braver as the adventure goes on, all because of you. Everyone prays for your safety and rejoices when you return. It's definitely the most emotional game I've played.
Explorers of Time/Darkness
I'm starting off this review to say one thing- I love this game. I really love this game. I bought it cheap, expecting an average, run-of-the-mill spin-off. But trust me- it's WAY Better Than It Sounds.
Saying this will probably end in my decapitation, but the gameplay itself isn't as godawful as everyone says. Sure, it has problems, but it's not terrible. For example, it can get painfully slow. This game allows multiple status conditions at once, unlike the main games, which takes forever to wear off unless the enemy puts you out of your misery, which makes a useless slot filler appear in your bag. And my God, THE SPEED BOOSTS. HATE them. HATE HATE HATE HATE them. You walk into a room with a monster house (random Pokémon rain from the sky and try to slaughter you), and one of them sharply raises the speed of every single enemy in the room- and uses its next turn to use the move again. This can take a minute of scrolling if it doesn't kill you. However, for players of the main games, you no longer fight one at a time in a Random Encounter that takes several seconds to load before you can run. Instead, you see everything coming and you fight it in the overworld, which is way faster than the traditional Pokémon battle if you don't get slowed down. Also, the dungeons have variety in the types, but the gyms in the main games are all one type, so they're predictable and easy. So, the gameplay isn't the best, but it's not "Omg teh wurst evarz".
Now, saying that, what's so great about this game? First, the music is not only exceptionally well-done, but also well-placed, like this
. But mostly, the story. This series focuses on character development and plot other than just becoming the master, which we didn't see in the main games until Black and White. The characters are well-written and you really do care that the hero and Grovyle have to sacrifice themselves for a better future to happen. In fact, all Grovyle even wants is that better future- a simple sunrise is the most beautiful thing he has ever seen. Your partner grows braver as the adventure goes on, all because of you. Everyone prays for your safety and rejoices when you return. It's definitely the most emotional game I've played.
And hey, who didn't wish they were the Pokémon?