Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Review: Classic Reborn, Nostalgia Remains

Hello Switch players! I'm Lao Wang, a veteran gamer with over a decade of experience. Today, I want to talk to you about a work full of memories - Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. As a remake of the classic GBA and DS era, it has been revitalized on the Nintendo Switch. So, is this game worth buying for new and old players? Let's take a look!

1. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Game Introduction

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team / Red Rescue Team, released in 2005. Players play as a human who has lost their memory and transformed into a Pokémon. To solve the mystery of their transformation and save the world, you will form a rescue team with other Pokémon, explore randomly generated dungeons, and complete various tasks.

The core gameplay of this game is roguelike, which means that every time you enter a dungeon, the map is randomly generated, and the locations of enemies, items, and traps will also change. After death, the player loses all items and money and must start over. This challenging gameplay is precisely the charm of roguelike games.

2. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Game Review

2.1. Gameplay: Classic Roguelike, Full of Strategy

As a Roguelike game, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX inherits the essence of the original in terms of Gameplay. Players need to carefully plan every action, consider the type matchups between Pokémon, and use items and skills to survive in the treacherous dungeons.

• Explore Dungeons: Each time you enter a dungeon, the map is randomly generated, full of unknown challenges. Players need to explore each floor of the dungeon, find the exit, and defeat the Pokémon they encounter.
• Turn-Based Combat: The battle is turn-based, with players and enemies taking turns to act. You need to choose the appropriate skills to attack based on the enemy's type and location.
• Item Management: The dungeon is full of various items that can be used to restore health, increase abilities, attack enemies, and more. Using these items wisely can greatly improve your survival rate.
• Rescue Team Management: Completing tasks can earn rewards, which can be used to upgrade the rescue team base and recruit new members. Building a strong rescue team is one of the great joys of the game.

2.2. Graphics: Fresh and Cute, Improved Details

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has been greatly improved in terms of graphics. It uses a watercolor-like style, with bright colors and fresh and cute visuals. The Pokémon models have also been redesigned to be more detailed.

• Watercolor Style: This unique style fills the game with a fairytale-like atmosphere.
• Pokémon Models: The Pokémon models are more detailed and their movements are more vivid.
• Scene Details: The scene details in the dungeon have also been improved, such as the texture of the grass, the shimmering of the water, and so on.

However, compared to those masterpieces that pursue the ultimate in visual effects, the graphics of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX may seem a little simple. Considering that this is a remake and the capabilities of the Nintendo Switch are limited, the visual presentation is quite good.

2.3. Sound Effects: Classic Melodies, Full of Nostalgia

The sound effects of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX have also been remastered, retaining the classic melodies of the original and adding new soundtracks. Hearing the familiar melodies instantly takes you back to your childhood.

• Classic Melodies: Many of the music in the game come from the original, such as the town theme, the dungeon background music, and so on.
• New Soundtracks: To match the upgraded graphics, the game also includes some new soundtracks to further enhance the atmosphere.
• Sound Effect Details: The Pokémon cries, the sound effects of using items, and so on, are very realistic.

2.4. Story: Deeply Touching, Captivating

The story of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is very touching, telling a story about friendship, courage, and sacrifice.

• Mystery of Transformation: The protagonist played by the player loses their memory and transforms into a Pokémon. To solve the mystery of their transformation, they embark on an adventure.
• Saving the World: As the story progresses, the protagonist discovers that the world is about to face a crisis. To save the world, they must work hard with their partners.
• Friendship and Sacrifice: During the adventure, the protagonist makes many friends who help each other and grow together. To save the world, they are even willing to sacrifice themselves.

2.5. Handling: Simple and Easy to Use, Slightly Repetitive

The controls of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX are simple and easy to use, but playing for a long time may feel repetitive.

• Basic Operations: The game's operations are very simple, using the joystick to control movement and using buttons to attack and use items.
• Automatic Mode: The game provides an automatic mode that allows Pokémon to act automatically. This is very friendly for new players.
• Repetitiveness: Because the dungeons are randomly generated and the task types are relatively simple, playing for a long time may feel repetitive.

2.6. Comparison with Similar Games

Compared to other Roguelike games, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is less difficult, has a richer story, and is more suitable for new players. Compared to other Pokémon series games, this work focuses more on strategy and Roguelike elements.

For example, compared to The Binding of Isaac, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has more fresh and cute graphics and a more touching story. Compared to Pokémon Sword/Shield, this work has a more strategic battle method, and the Roguelike elements are more prominent.

2.7. Game Score

Overall, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a remake game worth playing. It inherits the essence of the original and has greatly improved in graphics and sound effects. The story is deeply touching, and the Gameplay is full of strategy.

• IGN Score: 7.0/10 IGN Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Review
• Metacritic Score: 69/100 Metacritic Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX

Considering the game's advantages and disadvantages, I personally give Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX a score of 8.0/10. This is a work full of nostalgia, suitable for players who like Roguelike games and the Pokémon series.

3. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Game Guide

3.1. Beginner's Guide

• Choose the Protagonist and Partner: At the beginning of the game, players need to choose the protagonist and partner. Choosing the right Pokémon can make your adventure easier. It is recommended to choose Pokémon with complementary types, such as Fire and Water types.
• Understand Type Matchups: Pokémon type matchups are very important. For example, Fire-type Pokémon have an advantage over Grass-type Pokémon, while Water-type Pokémon have an advantage over Fire-type Pokémon.
• Use Items Wisely: The dungeon is full of various items. Restore health, increase abilities, attack enemies, and so on. Using these items wisely can greatly improve your survival rate.
• Act Cautiously: The dungeon is full of traps and powerful enemies. Act cautiously and avoid getting into trouble.
• Do More Tasks: Completing tasks can earn rewards, which can be used to upgrade the rescue team base and recruit new members.

3.2. Advanced Tips and Strategies

• Use Terrain: There are many terrains in the dungeon, such as narrow passages, bodies of water, and so on. Using terrain can effectively avoid enemies and attack enemies.
• Control Distance: Ranged attacking Pokémon can use the distance advantage to attack enemies from a safe position.
• Skill Combinations: Different skills have different effects. Choosing the right skill combinations can improve combat efficiency.
• Use the Weakness Policy item: This item greatly increases a Pokémon's attack power after being hit by a super-effective attack. Using it wisely can quickly defeat powerful enemies.
• Make good use of the Recruit function: When you defeat a Pokémon in a dungeon, there is a chance to recruit it as a teammate, increasing the team's strength.

3.3. Walkthrough Methods for Specific Levels or Challenges

Because the dungeons are randomly generated, it is difficult to provide specific level guides. However, here are some general tips:

• Boss Battles: Boss battles are usually more difficult. You need to understand the Boss's type and skills, and choose the appropriate Pokémon and skills to fight.
• Special Dungeons: You will encounter some special dungeons in the game, such as dungeons that can only be entered by Pokémon of a specific type. You need to prepare in advance.
• Pay attention to Hunger: In the dungeon, Pokémon will gradually become hungry, and losing health continuously when the hunger level drops to 0. Be sure to carry food, such as apples or rice balls.

3.4. Best Equipment, Skill Combinations, etc.

• Equipment: It is recommended to carry items that restore health, such as healing potions and berries.
• Skills: It is recommended to learn skills with a wide attack range, such as Fire Blast and Blizzard. At the same time, you also need to learn some support skills, such as Agility and Protect.
• Team Composition: It is recommended to choose Pokémon with complementary types, such as Fire, Water, and Grass types.

3.5. Speedrun Tips and Hidden Element Guide

• Speedrun Tips: Quickly find the exit of the dungeon and avoid unnecessary battles.
• Hidden Elements: There are many hidden elements in the game, such as hidden Pokémon and hidden items. You can discover these hidden elements by exploring the dungeon.

4. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX Game Recommendation

4.1. Recommend Suitable Games Based on User Preferences

• Players who like Roguelike games: Recommended Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, it is a classic Roguelike game with challenge and fun.
• Players who like the Pokémon series: Recommended Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, it is a work full of nostalgia that can let you relive your childhood.
• New Players: Recommended Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, it is less difficult and easy to learn.

4.2. Purchase Suggestions for Different Budgets and Different Types of Games

• Players with a limited budget: Consider buying used cartridges, or waiting for the game to go on sale.
• Players who pursue the ultimate experience: You can buy the digital version of the game and buy a Nintendo Switch Online membership for online multiplayer.

4.3. Analyze the Game's Cost Performance

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX has a high cost performance. It is a classic remake game with rich content and high replayability.

4.4. Pay Attention to New Game Release Information and Give Prediction Evaluation

With the continuous development of the Nintendo Switch, and the possible release of the Nintendo Switch 2, we look forward to seeing more excellent Pokémon games in the future.

Regarding Nintendo Switch 2, there is no official news yet. However, according to news reports such as nintendo switch2 price, we can speculate that the performance of Nintendo Switch 2 will be greatly improved, and the visual effects will be even better. At the same time, the nintendo switch2 compatibility issue has also received much attention. It is hoped that Nintendo Switch 2 can be compatible with existing Nintendo Switch games. From nintendo switch2 first look, Nintendo is working hard to maintain the continuity of the original design and innovate on this basis.

If the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series can land on the Nintendo Switch 2, I believe it will bring a more shocking gaming experience. Higher resolution, smoother frame rate, and more exquisite graphics will allow players to immerse themselves in this charming world.

All in all, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX is a recommended remake game. It can not only let you relive the classics and experience nostalgia, but also let you feel the fun of Roguelike games. Whether you are an old player or a new player, you can find your own fun in this game. Let us look forward to the arrival of the Nintendo Switch 2 and more excellent Pokémon games!