(or 2016 If your like me, a poor european fellow)
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is one of these series that's severly underhyped on Nintendo consoles. It's originally a spin-off from the Mystery Dungeon series, the very first game of Chunsoft, back on the GB ! But quickly, thanks to the popularity of pokémon, the spin off became more popular than the original serie, so we got 3 Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games, and the fourth one is coming soon on 3DS.
Basically, if you don't know about Mystery Dungeon, it's some sort of tactical RPG inside of randomly generated dungeons, when you have to find stairs and go deep and deeper inside the dungeon, either to fight a boss, or to complete a quest (rescue a pokémon in danger, give an item to someone, catch a criminal pokémon, etc.). Of course, there are multiple dungeons, multiple areas, and different pokémons on them. You go with your pokémon squad with a leader (you), and one to three partners that you can choose, controlled by the IA. You have to manage with a lot of things, like the PP of your attacks, the hunger, the status effects, etc...
And of course, you can recruit pokémons for your squad.
The first one is on GBA with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Red Rescue Team, and simultaneously on DS with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon Blue Rescue Team, because just like Pokémon, the two first games were released on two versions, and just like Pokémon there isn't much difference between the two. It's only with the pokémon from Gen 1 to 3 ofc.
This is the start of the series, and it's really great, the soundtrack is cool, the story is great (yeah, btw, the story on this serie is way way more worked than on the mainline, I mean, really, it's more like Final Fantasy than Pokémon on this side), it's a very good first game, and if you're planning to do the whole series, you can easily start by this one. The games aren't linked between themes, except for a few things but nothing necessary for the scenario. But, if you don't have the time or only want to done one game, I don't recommand you to play it, 'cause it's not the best one.
Two years later, we're in 2007 and on DS, Spike Chunsoft release the second game in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, and it's called : Explorers of Time & Darkness. And two years after, the third version of the same game, called as Explorers of Sky is released (same game, more endgame content). And if you want to do one and only one game, this is the one, because god damn it's incredible.
Again, two versions, not really much differences between the two. The core gameplay is pretty much the same as the first, with some tweaks to improve experience, and of course with all pokémons from gen 1 to 5.
But everything else is simply amazing. The story is really amazing, very well writed, with damn feels (Mother 3 tier, yes, I'm totally being serious here), the soundtrack is STUNNING (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T4TT9Pd-Kuc , just the opening theme, the best tracks are unfortunatly spoilers warning), there's a ton of content (endgame too, don't expect the game to be finished when you beat the final boss, it's only the start)...
The game's a magic journey through time, darkness and sky (in every way it means). I've played many games in my life, but I'm sure one of thing : this one is one of the best I've done, ever. I don't know how to say it louder but play it for god sake.
However, because nothing can be perfect, the third game isn't really interesting. It's even bad. I'm talking about Pokémon Mystery Dungeon : Gates to the Infinity (only one version of the game) on 3DS. There are ton of flaws, like the removal of the hunger (a key mechanic of the two first games), only 5 starters to choose, not so much content, a lot of cash-cow DLC, only 150 pokémons, the story isn't appealing... They really failed with this one. I've even choosed a shitty pic to define it.
But don't lose hope ! They seems to realize they've made shit, and for the upcoming forth game, Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, they seems to have fixed everything wrong from Gates to the Infinity ! All 720 pokémons can be recruited (including legendary !), the story is worked a lot, the soundtrack seems to be as amazing as before (Main Theme : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yATNlGez_Tg&feature=youtu.be ), they've promised a lot of content, the broken gameplay of the third game is fixed, etc.
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is definitely back, and it could really impressed you ! I've made this thread to share my excitment about this upcoming game with you, and maybe convinced you to try the game. Don't forget about him !
Thanks for reading.
