"Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon," the newest Pokémon dungeon crawler game, was recently released for the Nintendo 3DS. The game features several of the elements found in past mystery dungeon games while also including new features. The game received a 3.5/5 from Metacritic, a 72/100 from GameFAQs and a 6/10 from Nintendo Life. These average reviews are a result of a lengthy storyline, a lack of multiplayer features and overall likeness to previous games. "Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon" advertises itself as something new and grand, but in reality is too reliant on themes from the previous games.
"Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon" essentially has no multiplayer and the recruitment process for scouting new Pokémon is completely different. The only form of multiplayer is through Pelipper Island, a place on the main menu where you can rescue a friend if their party of Pokémon fainted in a dungeon. There is no way for one player to begin a dungeon with their friends. The game is turn-based just like all the other mystery dungeon games, so it is difficult to incorporate multiplayer over Wi-Fi because each player would have to make their moves within a certain time limit. However, local multiplayer shouldn’t be as much of a problem. Players are also unable to scout new Pokémon in the field. The connection orb has become the new method to meet Pokémon, but you have little control over what new connections you will make, unlike the previous games where battling the same Pokémon gave you a better chance to add them to your team. The connection orb offers unique features though like just being able to talk to Pokémon in town can add them to your roster and create new connections.
The beginning of the game is also about 80 percent storyline dialogue and 20 percent gameplay. This goes on for about the first five hours and then the story becomes interesting. The game has its highs and lows because it’s so driven by the story, which can be boring. However, the graphics have improved, the gameplay stays true to the original versions and most of the items are the same. The game adds more party dynamics like having different preset teams and alliance attacks, where every Pokémon in the party teams up in one turn with their own attacks. The addition of looplets and emeras adds another new dynamic to the games. Now, Pokémon can be equipped with bands that carry gems. The emeras, different-colored gems, provide temporary buffs that expire when the party of Pokémon leaves the dungeon.
It can be difficult to get through the lengthy dialogue at the beginning, but the game is rewarding as it progresses. The web of connections continues to grow so more and more Pokémon become available, and you have more freedom for what dungeons to explore. Despite being a game rated E for everyone, with a heavy focus on children, there is a significant amount of strategy and thought that goes into each turn. The reviews from the community are pretty mixed, so "Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon" obviously isn’t for everyone, but provides hours of innovative gameplay.
