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Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia (Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Mac)

common sense media says

Still catching Pokemon, just this time to solve puzzles.

parents & educators say
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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this Pokemon game de-emphasizes combat in favor of "befriending" Pokemon and capturing them for a short time so that they can help players solve environment-based puzzles. Players capture wild Pokemon by drawing circles around them with the stylus, but can also use other Pokemon to stun the target Pokemon. Some of the capture techniques include using electricity to shock the Pokemon. Some Pokemon are aggressive and will attack the player, but it's because they're under the influence of a strange machine. Players can use the Ranger Net service to download addition missions through the Nintendo DS WiFi connection if they're within range, and can also trade Pokemon with friends.

Educational value: Not applicable.
Positive messages: The goal of a ranger is to help people and Pokemon resolve their issues. Rangers try to befriend Pokemon and calm them down instead of "defeating" them.
Violence & scariness: Some Pokemon are aggressive and will attack the player. During the capture phase, players can stun Pokemon to make them easier to capture using a variety of techniques like shocking them with electricity or flicking water bubbles at them.
Language: Not applicable.
Consumerism: The game is part of a long-running Pokemon franchise whose catch-phrase is "Gotta catch 'em all," although the emphasis here is more on adventuring and puzzle-solving than collecting pokemon.
Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

More on Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about whether it's more fun to actually have adventures with the pokemon, or to just try to catch as many of them as possible as in the other, ealier Pokemon games. What's your favorite type of Pokemon and why? Why do you think the Pokemon franchise is still so popular after all these years?

What's the story?

What's the story?

POKEMON RANGER: SHADOWS OF ALMIA is the second game in the Pokemon Ranger action/role-playing game series. You start out as the newest student at Ranger School, where you learn the ropes alongside your friends Keith (who also wants to be a ranger) and Rhythmi (who wants to be an operator). Eventually you'll graduate to become a full-fledged Pokemon Ranger and will be able to go on missions and quests to help resolve Pokemon-related issues, such as why more and more Pokemon seem to be behaving abnormally.

"Combat" in Pokemon Ranger is very different to the other Pokemon games. Instead of selecting a Pokemon from your stash to do battle with wild Pokemon in a turn-based environment, players use the DS stylus to draw circles around wild Pokemon to capture or subdue them. Pokemon can attack and drain your Stylus meter, and if it reaches zero before you're able to flee, you'll lose the battle. You can bring a limited number of Pokemon with you as you explore, and each Pokemon has special skills that must be used to solve puzzles and progress through the game. Pokemon with the "crush" ability, for example, can destroy crates that are blocking a pathway, while electric Pokemon can recharge your Stylus meter for you.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
The game mechanic of having to temporarily catch Pokemon to solve puzzles is a refreshing change from other older Pokemon games such as Pokemon Diamond, which placed a greater emphasis on combat and filling out your Pokedex with hundreds of Pokemon. The story is linear but enjoyable, and the game offers a good system of helping players keep track of objectives and their location on an overhead map. Shadows of Almia isn't a huge leap forward from its predecessor, but Pokemon fans will enjoy it.

Game themes & details

Game Details
Available on: Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, Windows, Nintendo GameCube, Nintendo 64, Mac
Not available online
Genre: Action/Adventure
Developer: Nintendo
Released on: November 10, 2008
Price: $34.99
ESRB Rating: E for Comic Mischief, Mild Cartoon Violence
This review was written by Erin Bell
 
 

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What parents & educators say

4

Most useful reviews by all members

doglovermegan12
teen, 16 years old
10
 
It`s the Best!!!!
Besides the first Pokemon Ranger game it`s the best. Even after you`ve finished the game if you have a great imagination then you can imagine the rest of the story and when the next one comes out you can see how they decided to end it and start another one.
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♥kittykinz♥
teen, 16 years old
6
 
I love this game! I've delete my file hundreds of times to play again! It's a lot better then the first one because it has a better story line. Even my picky little sister likes it!
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georgi
kid, 11 years old
17
 
patilans
yes,sam people care
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ChristianUmbreon
teen, 16 years old
6
 
Amazing
Well, other than ONE character, I love everything about this game. In case you're wondering who bugs me, it's Sven (who is not a villain.) I just don't like how he handles situations. Or it may be because I really like one of the villains he was mean to. If that's the case, ignore the pitchfork below the concerns thing. Yes, I like a character I really shouldn't like. I'm not giving you his name, just incase you plan to play the game. If you want to know, look it up on Bulbapedia. (Hint: You first fight him on a cargo ship.) Also, a Wailord attacked the villain I keep saying I like, but he (luckily for me) survives.
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cupcakes4free
kid, 13 years old
10
 
PERFECT IN EVERY SINGLE WAY!!!!!!!!!!
This is the BEST video game I have EVER, EVER played!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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golder
teen, 17 years old
4
 
454
4tre5
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richkingty
adult
7
 
Very Good
This game keeps you busy the entire time. At first your helping out your friends/family. Then you start saving the world. Every mission takes a long time but once you do it you start feeling like saving pokemons are what you are suppose to do. The quest that the local town people give you help you to find a new friend partner or get and advantage on catching your next pokemon. After you complete one thing the game as something else for you to do. It only take about 2-5 days depending on how much stuff you want done. But it is a simple and easy game to play.
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robomonkeyfan
teen, 16 years old
6
 
Great Game
I really love this game! It's story is interesting. I often like to go on small quests I don't need to go on because they're fun. In one part, I decided to trade Team Dim Sun this important gem to save the boy named Keith, who was captured. I don't know what happens if you refuse the offer, though. And I don't know what will happen when I report back to the Ranger Union. Well, not yet. You also do many nice things. It's also neat that after you become a ranger, you can have partner Pokemon (Pokemon that always travel with you), but only one can follow you at a time, and the others are left at you're family's Partner Field. And there's one for each elemental type of Pokemon.
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Warri
adult
2
 
A girl name Kate in the game is hot
Kate is so hot in this video game everyone has a crush on her
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Sakura-Fluff
teen, 15 years old
9
 
Great
Younger kids might not understand whats going on, but a great game nonetheless.
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chrrr
parent of 15 year old
5
 
ok for 5+
ok
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whyamiusingthi ...
teen, 17 years old
7
 
This might actually be a little complicated for younger kids
It took me two weeks to figure out how to capture Pokemon that shot off attacks at me. And the positive messages are that the Pokemon get released into the wild after you have them help you. But, enough about that, I'm going to rant about Common Sense Mediocracy. You people shouldn't listen to them. They just said a Nintendo game can be played on the PS2. Oh yeah, and I only give reviews about stuff for kids, and they reccomend Halo, an M rated video game! Even though my parents' rules thing says specifically: I cannot play M rated games. And, they keep saying that all the Pokemon games are based on the toys, even though as everyone knows, the toys are based on the games. And they're telling us that iCarly magically gained positive messagers, when everyone with the intelegence of a six-year old knows, those children behave like horrible little brats. There are very few things you can trust them on.
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joselovemarlene
parent of 14 year old
2
 
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ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
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