 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness
- Nintendo DS
- Price: $34.99
- Genre: Role Playing
Common Sense Media says
Become a Pokemon and explore random dungeons.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this game features plenty of combat by pitting the Pokemon on the player's team against various renegade Pokemon. Conflict isn't graphic, and the Pokemon retain well-known special moves from other Pokemon games, like Bulbasaur's Leech Seed move – so, a prior knowledge of the Pokemon universe is an asset. Through Wi-Fi, you can "rescue" fallen friends and exchange items and Pokemon teams with another player. You can choose to connect with either friends that you've exchanged friend codes with, or "anyone." You can write personalized messages to friends, but can only send pre-written stock messages to recipients marked "anyone." A second version of the game, subtitled EXPLORERS OF TIME, is virtually the same experience with a handful of different Pokemon and items.
What's it about?
After the rather shaky Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team, the follow-up POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: EXPLORERS OF DARKNESS boasts more depth. The game is another attempt to graft a Pokemon theme onto the format of the long-running Mystery Dungeon series, unique for its randomly-generated dungeons (maze-type environments) and harsh penalties for defeat. A second version of the game, subtitled EXPLORERS OF TIME, is virtually the same experience with a handful of different Pokemon and items.
In a twist, you're actually a human who wakes up transformed into a Pokemon and with amnesia. You then select a companion from another set of Pokemon, who will trail behind you and attack automatically. You join an adventurer's guild, earning fame and fortune exploring mystery dungeons while also investigating the mystery of the human's identity and the reason for strange rifts in time that are occurring.
Is it any good?
Explorers of Darkness is heavier on role-play than simply random exploration. Basic gameplay consists of taking on quests at the guild, such as exploring dungeons to hunt down outlaw Pokemon or find missing Pokemon or items. There are also scripted events that occur regularly as your party advances in guild rank. Also, you don't necessarily have to make it to the end of a dungeon to win but can warp back to the guild after completing a mission. Through Wi-Fi you can "rescue" fallen friends and exchange items and Pokemon teams with another player.
Still, the game is still super-frustrating if your party gets defeated – and it will happen a lot. Not only will you lose all gold and some of your items, but any quest you had completed (without warping back immediately) will be reset for you to do all over again. It's this harshness that takes some of the fun out of Explorers of Darkness. Also, you'll have to endure the same unskippable eating and sleeping cutscenes each day, and production values still more closely resemble a Game Boy Advance game than a Nintendo DS title.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about how the random dungeon format is different from typically linear Point A-to-Point B experience of past Pokemon games. Which format do players prefer?
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AGE
fine for young kids
i used to play these games on my GBA(GameBoy Advance) the violence really cant be considered "iffy"...i mean....mythical creatures basically "moving" into one another...thats considered "iffy"...hmm..but this game has nothing offensive...fine for just about any age...(unless your over 15...this game is boring lol)
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AGE
Good for all!!!
Spoonfullofpasta Seems like you dont know the controls and you might not know how to play this wonderfully made game. To go fast while moving press b and the third mission is just a little noob-shire battle and a bunch of talking On-Topic: Best Game of the year its like Heaven on a D.S. And for 30 Dolloers its a Buy for yuor kids and even girls play this!!!!
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AGE
scares children
This video game (and also explorers of time) scared my son. I think the traveling through dungeons is too much for young children (maybe it would be OK for teenagers), he started having nightmares and he no longer plays either game because they both scare him.
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Kid, 12 years old
January 1, 2011
AGE
Super AWESOME
This game is really good! It's that you are transformed into a pokemon, and you have to find how to change yourself back. You have a friend and...
(Play the game to know more!!)
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Kid, 12 years old
August 27, 2011
AGE
perfect for all ages
not bad at all all it has is litte pokemon battling. it also has great rolle models. great for any age!
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AGE
Worst Pokemon Game
I am a huge fan of pokemon,but tis game is completely horrible. First of all, i still can't beat the third level of it (and im good at video games in general, ecpecially pokemon) Second of all, it really boring to play, and it it really slow-moving. I wouldn't reccomend this game to anyone at all.
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Kid, 12 years old
July 12, 2010
AGE
SWEET ;)
awsome beat the game I think.It can be frustrating at times.especaly when you have beat Dilga.really good game for people who like pokemon it is one of my favorite games even girls play it (if they like pokemon.) I've played three of the games! I say ages six and up can play it. ;)
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| Platforms: | Nintendo DS |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Role Playing |
| Developer: | Nintendo |
| Release date: | April 20, 2008 |
| Price: | $34.99 |
| ESRB rating: | E for Mild Cartoon Violence |
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