Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
Common Sense says
- Nintendo 3DS
- $34.99
- 2013
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this game.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity is unlike traditional Pokemon games in that players actually play as Pokemon rather than collect them. That means it's the player's character doing the fighting, not a pet commanded by the player. What's more, these Pokemon talk and have vibrant personalities. Some are mean and do bad things, but most are good and honorable and looking for ways to help their fellow pocket monsters -- even those who are misbehaving.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
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A rather easygoing game as opposed to the former releases
All New Dungeon
What's it about?
Rather than taking on the role of a trainer who collects monsters, trains them, and pits them in battle against other monsters, POKEMON MYSTERY DUNGEON: GATES TO INFINITY has players taking on the roles of the Pokemon themselves. They wander freely around towns without a master, talk to one another, and go on adventures together, exploring large, winding, randomly generated dungeons, each with its own story. Players can also find additional dungeons in the real world by using the 3DS's camera to scan objects in their immediate environment, creating gateways to new locations. Up to four players can go on quests together via a local network.
Is it any good?
Nintendo has done a good job of subtly exploiting of some of the 3DS' more interesting features here, including scanning objects to create to new dungeons and using Street Pass to anonymously swap "reviver" seeds with other players that can come in handy in a pinch. And the Pokemon themselves are as cute as ever, thanks not only to their adorable designs but also their generous and noble little personalities.
Sadly, the action grows monotonous pretty quickly. The randomly generated dungeons are visually bland and chore-like to explore, and combat lacks strategy and spectacle. It's just the same corridors in different configurations, the same battles with only minor differences in attack types. Pokemon addicts may stick with it until the end, but casual fans will likely lose interest before too long.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about emotions and forgiveness. Have you ever forgiven someone who has done something mean to you? How did it make you feel? How did it make them feel?
Families can also discuss the difference between being a combatant and commanding a battle. Is one role more important than the other? If the conflict is morally dubious, is one more culpable than the other?
How does your family go about choosing video games? Here are some tips that can help.
Game details
- Platforms: Nintendo 3DS
- Subjects: Hobbies: collecting
Language & Reading: reading - Skills: Emotional Development: empathy
Communication: friendship building
Thinking & Reasoning: strategy - Price: $34.99
- Available online? Not available online
- Developer: Nintendo
- Release date: March 24, 2013
- Genre: Action/Adventure
- Topics: Friendship
- ESRB rating: E for Mild Cartoon Violence
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Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.