Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time

Explorers of Time downplayed the dungeons in favor of its story, emphasizing both the drama and the humor while retaining the enthusiasm of before. QoL adjustments and new items, mechanics and minigames only represent one half of this twin-headed upgrade. The other, more significant half refined the emotional impact of Blue/Red Rescue Team by allowing room for scenario-building, character interactions & development to prevail. Altogether, they amount to a much stronger narrative and a more cohesive, diverse cast of Pokemon this time, whose behavior (from comical to enigmatic, naive or deceitful) adds a sense of intrigue and unease to each chapter. With a resume consisting of Shiren the Wanderer and little else, it's hard to believe that these two roguelikes share the same literary brain. Despite some moments of silly or predictable writing, their work here is quintessential JRPG storytelling, full of twists and revelations that could achieve Breath of Fire III-esque degrees of sentimental power. Unfortunately, the dungeon-crawling is - again, not particularly creative or entertaining, but a greater reliance on status ailments and traps leaves hope for a less sterile future.