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Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed games.
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time
Mixed or average reviews
Based on 29 critic reviews
How did we calculate this?
Based on 13 votes
Read user comments
Rate this game >
Game Info
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: ChunSoft
Genre(s): Role-Playing Game
Players: 1
ESRB Rating: E (Everyone)
Release Date: April 20, 2008
Summary
In this pair of action-packed adventures, players journey as actual Pokemon through a fantastic land untouched by humans. Before the game starts, players take a test to help them figure out which of 16 Pokemon best represents their personalities. Players then experience their adventure through the eyes of a Pokemon as they explore the land and embark on an epic journey through time and darkness. They talk and team up with other Pokemon to set out on an epic voyage while navigating an endless array of randomly generated dungeons. More than 490 Pokemon populate these new games, guaranteeing strategic, intense battles and infinite possibilities, no matter which Pokemon players become. To widen their circle of Pokemon friends, Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection lets users engage in wireless rescue operations and send alerts to their friends via e-mail or mobile text message. [Nintendo]
Cheat Codes & Hints: Cheat Code Central
Also On The Web: Official Website
What The Critics Said
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
GameSpy
If you've wanted to play Rogue-like games in the past, but found them to be a bit too unforgiving, this is an exceedingly good alternative to look into.
Read Full Review >GameZone
Explorers of Time doesn't provide the intense challenge or genuine sense of accomplishment that some of the other Mystery Dungeon titles are known for, and adult players might find the whole thing a little cutesy.
Read Full Review >Cheat Code Central
A complex and challenging dungeon crawler that has a lot to offer. Even though the dungeon crawling aspect is very repetitive, the connectivity features, the vast number and variety of Pokemon, Wonder Mail, hours of gameplay, difficulty, etc. makes this pure kiddy-crack!
Read Full Review >Nintendo Power
The strength of the first "Pokemon Mystery Dungeon" was its in-depth story, and that's true of the second pair of titles as well. [June 2008, p.86]
RPG Fan
Those who liked the first installment will enjoy this one as well, and will appreciate the improvements brought about by the second screen, but weighing in at only 30-40 hours of mediocrity, it's probably a better rental than purchase.
Read Full Review >Official Nintendo Magazine UK
No, it's not that much different from last time, but that doesn't stop it being just as much fun. Definitely worth a look. [Aug 2008, p.94]
Eurogamer
If you've already played Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Blue/Red Rescue Team, the improved Wi-Fi functionality is the sole reason that it might be worth playing Explorers of Time/Darkness.
Read Full Review >GamePro
If you played Shiren, however, you may find Pokemon to be too forgiving for your dungeon-hacking skills.
Read Full Review >GameTrailers
Explorers of Time does very little to expand upon the original entry into the series, and relies too heavily on the Pokémon brand.
Read Full Review >GameSpot
Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Darkness/Time recycles the aging Mystery Dungeon formula, but it's still worthwhile for fans of dungeon hacks.
Read Full Review >IGN
The game's menu system is incredibly clunky and feels like an unfixed relic from the Game Boy Advance version.
Read Full Review >GameDaily
It's overly repetitive and squanders its Wi-Fi Connection advantage by only allowing quick SOS emails to go out to other users. It's not bad, but it's hardly innovative.
Read Full Review >Gameplayer
A depressingly average Pokemon game that fails to rekindle the kleptomanic, ‘gotta-locate-and-subjugate-them-all’ antics that made the original titles so fun and addictive.
Read Full Review >Games Master UK
As innovation free as we've come to expect from the 'mon, but quietyly enjoyable stuff. [Aug 2008, p.64]
Cubed3
Younger players might get a kick out seeing their favourite Pokemon in a new light, but others should probably stick to 'purer' roguelikes like Shiren, or more standard RPGs like the core Pokemon titles.
Read Full Review >games(TM)
The average gamer will find that they’re left with a game that fails to meet the standards set by Diamond and Pearl, and sticks far too rigidly to the ideas found in the original Pokemon Mystery Dungeon. [Sept 2008, p.123]
AceGamez
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time isn't a lazy game, it's just that the template it's based upon is far too antiquated to meet the needs of today's gaming audience, yet not enough to satisfy dungeon hack enthusiasts.
Read Full Review >PTGamers
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers is more of the same, and that won't disturb those who appreciate the franchise.
Read Full Review >Maxi Consolas (Portugal)
It will frustrate even its core audience with the absence of recovery items, limited inventory and the need to keep your pokemons well fed. It’s also a very repetitive game. There are a lot a better alternative for fans, all of them with less penalties. [July 2008]
PALGN
Come for the charm. Stay for the roguelike learning experience. Endure for an insomniac's cure.
Read Full Review >Gamer.nl
Explorers of Time is an average RPG that doesn't know how to convince its players thanks to the weak fighting system and too many boring dungeons. The funny story and online options don't make up for it. Food for the real fan, but even they will need to reconsider a purchase.
Pocket Gamer UK
It may be mildly diverting and moderately entertaining, but this latest entry in the Mystery Dungeon series sadly fails to improve on its already disappointing predecessor.
Read Full Review >Wired
If you're a Pokemon superfan, you'll undoubtedly enjoy chilling with the very creatures you've spent so much time trying to catch.
Read Full Review >Games Radar (in-house)
The newest Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games are perfect for players that adore Pokemon, love the grinding gameplay of dungeon crawling games, but would prefer a watered down version.
Read Full Review >NintendoWorldReport
James, I think I speak for us both when I say that Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time/Explorers of Darkness will only appeal to Pokemaniacs who enjoy incredibly repetitive gameplay, practically GBA-level graphics and sound, and computer partner A.I. that's so dumb you'll want to stab yourself in the eye.
Read Full Review >NGamer UK
The only mystery is why anyone would buy into something so lazy. [Aug 2008, p.66]
Gaming Age
Bottom line for Pokemon fans is: try before you buy. You'll either love it or hate it.
Read Full Review >1UP
If you want a good dungeon crawl, play the punishing-but-oh-so-satisfying Shiren the Wanderer. If you just want to collect 500 cute little guys and power-level the hell out of them, you can't go wrong with Pokémon Diamond and Pearl.
Read Full Review >Edge Magazine
This recurrent rehash is branding to serve the genre, and of little benefit to Poke-fans. [Sept 2008, p.96]
What Our Users Said
The average user rating for this game is 7.3 (out of 10) based on 13 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
George S. gave it a9:
A superb game. The one point deducted is because the game isn't as good as pokemon diamond or pearl.
Joe S. gave it a4:
This is a very poor game with the Pokemon name slapped on it to sell it. The game play is very repetitive, the environments consist of boxes that come in three different shades of brown, and there are only a handful of animations for the moves/attacks. The moves are completely unbalanced, the items do virtually nothing, and all too often you will lose everything anyway. Avoid this Pokemon game, because its not Pokemon.
