History YMMV / PokemonXDGaleOfDarkness

** Snattle's second fight isn't Greevil caliber, but it's also fairly brutal on its own, mainly due to his Shadow Starmie being a decent sweeper and being fought a long way away from a healing machine on either end, but you fight one of the smartest grunts in the franchise right afterwards.
** [[spoiler:Eldes]]. His Shadow Salamence is a few levels higher than anything you've fought at this point, and it will steamroll anything that isn't a Shadow Pokémon. Not only that, but his other Shadow Pokémon hit quite hard as well.
** [[spoiler:Ardos]]. Unlike the previous enemies before him, and even a few after him, he introduces some diabolical Shadow moves with three very high-quality Shadow Pokémon, two of which are fast, and have full movesets, the other, a Snorlax carrying Leftovers, being very difficult to capture. And his [[spoiler:Alakazam]], which he previously used to ''obliterate'' an earlier boss, will tear apart an enormous variety of Pokémon, covering all of the weaknesses of his team.
* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Some fans feel like changing Orre into a much more habitable place made it lose its "edge". One NPC says it's sad that you can't go to The Under anymore, and it's hard to disagree with him.

* TheScrappy: Jovi, the player character's younger sister, is hated for being a BrattyHalfPint [[ThirdPersonPerson who constantly speaks in the third-person]], and belittles her older brother for being useless. This is despite Jovi contributing nothing to the game's narrative beyond an EscortMission and a FetchQuest.

* TearJerker: Small, but one of the early Shadow Pokémon you catch is from a man in Gateon Port across the rotating bridges. After the fight, he'll mention that the "special effects" looked pretty cool, as he could easily say that it "looked like you just stole my Pokemon!"... which you ''did''. It's easy for the player to feel guilty, having to snag Shadow Pokémon from those rare people who legitimately don't know.

* VindicatedByHistory: In hindsight, some fans have come to appreciate the more involved stakes relating to the protagonist. His father went missing, never to return, while his mother heads a research lab dedicated to halting Cipher's experiments while working with (and getting some ShipTease with) the local professor. Compared to the usual lack of relevance families and hometowns tend to get in the mainline games, it's refreshing to see a home base remain involved from start to finish.

* CompleteMonster: [[spoiler:[[OverlordJr Ardos]], one of the sons and CoDragons of Cipher's leader [[BigBad Greevil]], shows himself to be the most vicious and fanatical member within an already monstrous organization. Ardos is fully involved and supportive of Cipher's worst atrocities, involving the mass corruption of Pokémon into becoming unfeeling Shadow Pokémon—whereupon they'll be rendered unable to be purified and massed into an army through which Cipher will control the world. When Greevil is defeated, Ardos, in a last moment of desperation, attempts to cajole his father into killing the child protagonist by wiping out their base on Citadark Isle--[[BadBoss taking all his subordinates in the building with it]], to which Ardos merely scoffs "[[WeHaveReserves such things can be replaced]]". Even in the post-game, Ardos is as dedicated to the Cipher agenda as ever even when his father has surrendered himself, coldly informing the protagonist they are now Ardos's top target.]]

* EnsembleDarkhorse:
** Miror B. for being hilarious, LaughablyEvil, stylish, and having awesome music.
** Lovrina, for her GeniusDitz personality who doesn't lose an ounce of her valley girl accent or competence while she cheerfully crosses the MoralEventHorizon in creating new and stronger Shadow Pokémon.
** Cipher Peon Kleef, for having the audacity to avert MookChivalry for once in the series and ambush you right after a boss fight, while you're on your way to the nearest healing machine. Among those who've played this game, he's fondly remembered as the smartest evil team Grunt in the entire franchise.

* TheScrappy: Jovi, the player character's younger sister, is hated for being a BrattyHalfPint who [[ThirdPersonPerson who constantly speaks in the third-person]], and belittles her older brother for being useless. This is despite Jovi contributing nothing to the game's narrative beyond an EscortMission and a FetchQuest.

** Espeon is generally regarded as the best evolution for the starter Eevee due to its high speed and power, and good typing. Jolteon is also a solid pick for the same reasons, especially if the player doesn't want to use Espeon again as it was featured in ''Colosseum'', but rates a little lower due to its Ground weakness and the early game Electric alternative (Mareep) being significantly more useful than the early game Psychic alternative (Baltoy). Vaporeon has decent damage but is held back by its low speed and while it is bulkier than Espeon and Jolteon, the usefulness of tanks is diminished in a game that primarily features double battles and where Shadow Pokémon always hit for super-effective damage against normal Pokémon. Umbreon and Flareon, meanwhile, are both {{Low Tier Letdown}}s by comparison, as Umbreon suffers from the same issues as Vaporeon while also [[StoneWall lacking its offensive capabilities]], while Flareon is stuck in the awkward position of having significantly better attack than special attack but primarily learning special moves, as well as Fire being a poor typing defensively.

* EvenBetterSequel: Despite mixed opinions on the plot compared to its predecessor, the gameplay is universally considered an improvement across the board. Shadow Pokémon now have vastly fleshed out movesets, don't try to kill themselves with recoil damage constantly, are much more useful in battle, there's a greater variety and number than before, you can convert Shadow Pokémon in batchs now without having to constantly keep a slot open to individually Purify them, and Cipher's dungeons are more complex and engaging.

** After defeating Chobin several times over the course of the early-to-mid game, he decides to bring out the big guns in order to stop the "burglar" from breaking into Kaminko Manor. And the big guns just so happen to be an imposing Groudon mech that towers over the player. Cue the dramatic boss music... and it's just another easy battle with Chobin that's barely different from the previous battle mere minutes ago. In this case though, it's both intentional and [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilarious.]]

* AntiClimaxBoss: After defeating Chobin several times over the course of the early-to-mid game, he decides to bring out the big guns in order to stop the "burglar" from breaking into Kaminko Manor. And the big guns just so happen to be an imposing Groudon mech that towers over the player. Cue the dramatic boss music... and it's just another easy battle with Chobin that's barely different from the previous battle mere minutes ago. In this case though, it's both intentional and [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilarious.]]

* BaseBreakingCharacter: Michael's little sister Jovi is either adorable and cute, or an AnnoyingYoungerSibling.

** Teddiursa/Ursaring tends to be a staple on most player's teams. Not only is Teddiursa the first Shadow Pokémon you get, but it's a physical powerhouse that stays useful for the entire game thanks to coming with a [=STAB=]-boosted Return and the useful Guts ability.
** Espeon is generally regarded as the best evolution for the starter Eevee due to it's high speed and power, and good typing. Jolteon is also a solid pick for the same reasons, especially if the player doesn't want to use Espeon again as it was featured in ''Colosseum'', but rates a little lower due to it's Ground weakness and the early game Electric alternative (Mareep) being significantly more useful than the early game Psychic alternative (Baltoy). Vaporeon has decent damage but is held back by it's low speed and while it is bulkier than Espeon and Jolteon, the usefulness of tanks is diminished in a game that primarily features double battles and where Shadow Pokemon always hit for Super Effective damage against normal Pokemon. Umbreon and Flareon, meanwhile, are both [[TierInducedScrappy Tier Induced Scrappies]], as Umbreon suffers from the same issues as Vaporeon while also [[StoneWall lacking it's offensive capabilities]], while Flareon is stuck in the awkward position of having significantly better attack than special attack but primarily learning special moves, as well as Fire being a poor typing defensively.

** The Hexagon Brothers and Miror B, postgame. The Hexagon Brothers hang around the Cipher lab in case you feel like battling them again or have to snag any Shadow Pokémon you missed the first time around. However, after you beat Greevil, they're all at level 50, save any Shadow Pokémon. Miror B, in the final battle at Gateon Port, has five level 57 Ludicolo and one level 55 Shadow Dragonite. (Fortunately, if you have Shadow Salamence, and it has been purified or relearned Wing Attack spamming Wing Attack keeps the Ludicolo from being too annoying, as long as you watch out for the one that knows an ice-type move.)

* ItsTheSameNowItSucks: Some thought the game re-used too much from ''Colosseum'', with [[spoiler:Greevil]] in particular basically being a rehashed, less surprising Evice.

* TearJerker: Small, but one of the early Shadow Pokémon you catch is from a man in Gateon Port across the rotating bridges. After the fight, he'll mention that the 'special effects' looked pretty cool, as he could easily say that it "looked like you just stole my Pokemon!"... which you ''did''. It's easy for the player to feel guilty, having to snag Shadow Pokémon from those rare people who legitimately don't know.

* TheyChangedItNowItSucks: Some fans feel like changing Orre into a much more habitable place made it lose its "edge." One NPC says it's sad that you can't go to The Under anymore, and it's hard to disagree with him.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Teddiursa/Ursaring tends to be a staple on most player's teams. Not only is Teddiursa the first Shadow Pokémon you get, but it's a physical powerhouse that stays useful for the entire game thanks to coming with a [=STAB=]-boosted Return and the useful Guts ability.

* AuthorsSavingThrow:
** In ''Colosseum'', you could only save on a PC, unlike the other games where you could save anywhere. This was fixed here.
** Shadow Pokémon have been greatly improved upon: there are twice as many as the previous game, they have more moves than just Shadow Rush (which also don't deal recoil damage and are super effective against regular Pokémon, making them a legit threat) and there are far more different varieties of Pokémon.

* AnticlimaxBoss: After defeating Chobin several times over the course of the early-to-mid game, he decides to bring out the big guns in order to stop the "burglar" from breaking into Kaminko Manor. And the big guns just so happen to be an imposing Groudon mech that towers over the player. Cue the dramatic boss music... and it's just another easy battle with Chobin that's barely different from the previous battle mere minutes ago. In this case though, it's both intentional and [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilarious.]]

** If you beat [[spoiler: Greevil]] again after purifying all Shadow Pokémon, you'll see a brief cutscene of the hero putting his Snag Machine away, as it's not needed anymore. Gives a nice feeling of closure.

* {{Tearjerker}}: Small, but one of the early Shadow Pokemon you catch is from a man in Gateon Port across the rotating bridges. After the fight, he'll mention that the 'special effects' looked pretty cool, as he could easily say that it "looked like you just stole my Pokemon!"... which you ''did''. It's easy for the player to feel guilty, having to snag Shadow Pokemon from those rare people who legitimately don't know.

* VindicatedByHistory: In hindsight, some fans have come to appreciate the more involved stakes relating to the protagonist. His father went missing, never to return, while his mother heads a research lab dedicated to halting Cypher's experiments while working with (and getting some ShipTease with) the local professor. Compared to the usual lack of relevance families and hometowns tend to get in the mainline games, it's refreshing to see a home base remain involved from start to finish.

* ComplacentGamingSyndrome: Teddiursa/Ursaring tends to be a staple on most player's teams. Not only is Teddiursa the first Shadow Pokémon you get, but it's physical powerhouse that stays useful for the entire game thanks to coming with a [=STAB=]-boosted Return and the useful Guts ability.

* OlderThanTheyThink: ''Gale of Darkness'' was the first Pokémon game to feature the Physical-Special split, just one year before ''VideoGame/PokemonDiamondAndPearl'' introduced it to the mainline games. What separates the split here from future games, however, is that it only applies to Shadow moves, whereas Gen IV made it so that ''all'' moves were categorized.

** [[spoiler:Ardos]]. Unlike the previous enemies before him, and even a few after him, he introduces some diabolical shadow moves with three very high-quality Shadow Pokémon, two of which are fast, and have full movesets, the other, a Snorlax carrying Leftovers, being very difficult to capture. Oh, and his [[spoiler: Alakazam]], which he previously used to ''obliterate'' an earlier boss, will tear apart an enormous variety of Pokémon, covering all of the weaknesses of his team.

See also the franchise-wide HilariousInHindsight page [[HilariousInHindsight/{{Pokemon}} here]].
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* ContestedSequel: To ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum''. Despite the gameplay improvements, some felt that the LighterAndSofter take on Orre, using a more traditional KidHero protagonist, and in general recycling a lot of plot elements from ''Colosseum'' made made this game seem like a step backwards. The only thing people never seem to criticize about the plot is [[EvilIsCool Shadow Lugia]].

* UnwinnableByMistake: Beating Naps will cause the fight with Lovrina to trigger at the elevator to the lab’s entrance. The only PC is past her, and there’s no way to level grind or buy items, so if your party isn’t strong enough to beat hers, you’re completely stuck if you saved your game after beating Naps.

** Shadow Lugia and 3 of the final boss's Shadow Pokémon have catch rates of 3 (out of 255) while, with the exception of a Shadow Snorlax and Chansey (which are still 30, or 3.9% with no damage and a default ball), everything else has catch rates that can easily be gotten to 20+% (sleep + Ultra/Net Ball). It seems as though catch rates for Legendary Pokémon may have been modified for this game, however, as they're at least easier to catch than in the main games.

* AnticlimaxBoss: After defeating Chobin several times over the course of the early-to-mid game, he decides to bring out the big guns in order to stop the "burglar" from breaking into Kaminko Manor. And the big guns just so happen to be [[spoiler:an imposing Groudon mech that towers over the player.]] Cue the dramatic boss music... and [[spoiler:it's just another easy battle with Chobin that's barely different from the previous battle mere minutes ago.]] In this case though, it's both intentional and [[SugarWiki/FunnyMoments hilarious.]]

** Snattle's second fight isn't Greevil caliber, but it's also fairly brutal on its own, mainly due to his Shadow Starmie being a decent sweeper and being fought a long way away from a healing machine on either end, but you fight the smartest grunt in the franchise right afterwards.

* ContestedSequel: To ''VideoGame/PokemonColosseum''. The LighterAndSofter take on Orre, using a more traditional KidHero protagonist, and in general recycling a lot of plot elements from ''Colosseum'' made many feel like this game was a step backwards. On the other hand, the vastly increased roster of Shadow Pokemon, giving them diverse moves and status effects made them feel like a fleshed out type in their own right, rather than a gimmick. These Mon are much more viable compared to the first game, where Shadow Pokemon had one move with no effect on other types or themselves. The graphics have notably improved textures and shading, as well as longer and more involved original locations. The only thing people never seem to criticize about the plot is [[EvilIsCool Shadow Lugia]].

* EvenBetterSequel: Despite mixed opinions on the plot compared to its predecessor, the gameplay is universally considered an improvement across the board. Shadow Pokémon now have fleshed out movesets, don't try to kill themselves with recoil damage, are much more useful in battle, there's a greater variety and number than before, you can convert Shadow Pokémon in batchs now without having to constantly keep a slot open to individually Purify them, and Cipher's dungeons are more complex and engaging.

* NightmareFuel: The idea of Shadow Pokémon was already scary enough, but Shadow Lugia is a Pokémon so completely messed up its body literally transformed.

-->'''Lovrina:''' I was so impressed by your toughness! Because you are so tough, I'll let you be the first member in my fan club! Doesn't that so make your day?

%%* {{Narm}}: [[https://youtu.be/LYE72Ku7vDE?t=510 Snattle's running animation.]]

* VindicatedByHistory: In hindsight, some fans have come to appreciate the much more involved stakes relating to the protagonist. His father went missing, never to return, while his mother heads a research lab dedicated to halting Cypher's experiments while working with and getting some ShipTease with the local professor. Compared to the usual GenreBlindness and lack of relevance families and hometowns tend to get, it's refreshing.