Game Details
Price
  • $34.99
Available on
Genre
More details
See more game reviews

Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness (Nintendo DS)

common sense media says

Become a Pokemon and explore random dungeons.

parents & educators say
See all 8 reviews | Review it

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.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: You are a human who has been transformed into a Pokemon, and while solving the mystery of your transformation, you also go on quests to do good things.
Violence & scariness: Cartoon violence depicting very basic attacks (essentially, one pokemon moves into the other).
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: Pokemon is a well-established franchise that includes video games, playing cards, clothing, plush toys and other merchandise.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
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?

What's the story?

What's the story?
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?

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.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS
Not available online
Genre: Role Playing
Developer: Nintendo
Released on: April 20, 2008
Price: 34.99
ESRB Rating: E for Mild Cartoon Violence
This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

Review It

 

Review Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

What parents & educators say

11

Most useful reviews by all members

robomonkeyfan
teen, 16 years old
 
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (3)
puppylover 101
teen, 18 years old
4
 
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!!!!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
Spoonfullofpasta
adult
6
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (2) | read my mind (3)
Altair66
adult
 
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)
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (2)
VelvetGirl353
kid, 11 years old
8
 
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!!)
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (2) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (1)
Lmomof2
adult
15
 
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.
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (3) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (2)
EeveeFizz
kid, 11 years old
6
 
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. ;)
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (3) | read my mind (1)
WWEFan800
kid, 12 years old
2
 
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!
Flag as inappropriate 
was this review useful?
helped me decide (1) | had useful details (1) | read my mind (1)

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
Advice on the big issues
 

vote now

Will you play Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness?

Game on
Press pause
Game over

Already played it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

Other dungeon crawlers
For kids who love fantasy worlds
Browse more games
About our rating system
ON: Content is 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
Our child development rating guidelines