Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (Series) Review

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon is a series of fighting games where you control different cartoon creatures as they make their way through randomly-generated dungeons, defeating enemies and adding them to your team. It's a simple rogue-like game where you take repeated runs at the dungeons, slowly gaining more power and getting further each time. The intuitive and strategic gameplay cycle makes these games stand out.

The latest game is Rescue Team DX, a remake of the original. It offers a unique watercolour art style and wide ranging battles with the 100's of different Pokemon. You take a personality test at the start to decide which Pokémon you become. The dungeons are then generated fresh each time you enter them. As you encounter and defeat more Pokémon in the turn-based battles, you build your team.

Both movement and actions are turn-based letting you take things at your own pace and employ deep strategies. In battles you use regular attacks, moves from the main series of games, and special items to give you an advantage over your opponents. Between dungeons, you explore the village and surrounding area, buying items for your fights and doing jobs that give you useful items.

While all the games have similar gameplay, Rescue Team DX has some extra features, such as Mega Evolutions to the Pokémon and an autosave feature. There have been several Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games on many platforms since the original release in 2005, meaning you don't need the latest console to play:

• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team (2005) DS, Game Boy Advance
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness (2007) DS
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky (2009) DS
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Keep Going! Blazing Adventure Squad!, Let's Go! Stormy Adventure Squad!, and Go For It! Light Adventure Squad! (2009) Wii
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity (2013) 3DS
• Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon (2015) 3DS
• Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX (2020) Switch

Throughout the series there is an emphasis on lighthearted and accessible fun, but also require strategy to overcome the challenges you face.