The Thriller Dungeon video games share a core system: you get up as a human become a pocket monster, you select a accomplice, after which descend by way of procedurally generated dungeons to rescue your fellow Pokémon and uncover the rationale behind your transformation. It’s easy and kid-friendly, however the collection would not draw back from advanced themes or difficult boss battles. All 11 entries on this spinoff franchise proceed the loop of dungeon spelunking and rescue missions, whereas layering on a dramatic plot that appeals to each followers of roguelikes and the traditional Pokémon titles.
Rise and grind
The Thriller Dungeon franchise started with Crimson & Blue Rescue Group for Sport Boy Advance and DS. It launched us to the collection’s grid-based, turn-by-turn exploration the place you both seek for a staircase, a goal Pokémon, or an merchandise. The missions are repetitive, however robust theming for every dungeon and a rising moveset assist to maintain you engaged. Failure in a dungeon sends the participant again to city, and all carried cash and gadgets are forfeit. This harsh penalty is par for the course for followers of roguelikes.. Nonetheless, Thriller Dungeon softens the blow by letting gamers stash valuables within the city storage field between runs, differentiating it from harsher roguelikes like Shiren the Wanderer.
The following installment, Explorers of Time & Darkness, made some main enhancements to the system, including new Pokémon from the fourth era of and increasing the dimensions of the dungeons. It was actually extra Pokémon Thriller Dungeon, and that is all it wanted to be. The Time & Darkness video games launched new mechanics, such because the starvation meter and Monster Homes, mini-combat gauntlets with tons of enemies in a good area. These additions made exploration rather more difficult and are an ideal callback to the roots of the roguelike style—video games like Nineteen Eighties Rogue. The video games really feel extra like a regular roguelike thanks to those adjustments, however the very best enchancment is the sport’s story. Time & Darkness has an attractive narrative, emotional stakes, memorable character interactions, and feels unapologetically Pokémon. This period of Thriller Dungeon made narrative a vital pillar to the franchise’s identification, one thing much less widespread in roguelikes from the late ‘00s.
Explorers of Sky is the improved third model of the Time & Darkness video games. It doesn’t alter gameplay; as a substitute, it provides extra story and a layer of polish to Time & Darkness, holding the problem intact whereas introducing correct post-game quests to provide essentially the most devoted gamers one thing new to try for.
A flawed flip
The primary 3DS entry, 2012’s Gates to Infinity, reimagined the franchise in full 3D, but additionally marked the second the franchise started to say no in high quality. Gates to Infinity simplified the system to make it extra approachable, eliminating the power to tackle a number of jobs without delay. No Pokémon is left behind with its change to the expertise system, and all factors are shared amongst all staff members. Late-game exploration is way much less grindy. Whereas all of those adjustments could appear handy on the floor, they arrive at a value.
Gates to Infinity solely contains fifth-generation Pokémon with a couple of sprinkled in from the earlier generations—this utterly gutted roster selection. Whereas the narrative is bold, it fails to match the highs of the earlier entry. Whereas Gates to Infinity has interesting visuals and music, it strips again the roguelike depth launched within the second era of Thriller Dungeon video games, making it a step backward within the collection catalog.
In distinction, 2015’s Tremendous Thriller Dungeon appears like an overcorrection. This 3DS title brings again the outdated fashion and content material: each Pokémon from the primary to sixth era is recruitable, almost all the simplifications launched within the Gates to Infinity are absent. Prolonged tutorials and cutscenes bathroom down the early gameplay. Nonetheless, when you slog by way of the intro, the story turns into top-of-the-line within the franchise. The issue, nonetheless, is that it boils the roguelike elements of those video games right down to their naked necessities. Tremendous Thriller Dungeon’s ranges are randomized however not sufficient to really feel like the weather are literally altering. When you’ve seen one of many dungeon flooring, you’ve seen all of them. When in comparison with video games like Spelunky and The Binding of Isaac, Tremendous Thriller Dungeon opts to play it protected fairly than making an attempt to push the roguelike style into new territory. It’s extra of an “Oh, you need outdated Thriller Dungeon? Right here, now by no means ask me for something ever once more.” form of sport.
2020’s Pokémon Thriller Dungeon: Rescue Group DX is one other step backwards, wallowing within the nostalgia of the unique video games as a substitute of doing something particularly attention-grabbing. It gives quite a few quality-of-life enhancements, akin to streamlined menus and controls, in addition to the power to skip the persona quiz and easily select your most well-liked starter. It’s a high-quality option to expertise the primary video games when you haven’t already, and the refreshed artwork fashion is a pleasant plus, however when you’re aware of the franchise, it’s a straightforward skip.
At its greatest, Pokémon Thriller Dungeon captures what makes each Pokémon and roguelikes so beloved: the sense that each journey issues. You possibly can be scaling the extreme 99-floor gauntlet of Future Tower, and even simply rescuing a misplaced Caterpie. Even the best quests carry weight. That’s why, peaks and valleys apart, Thriller Dungeon is one among Pokémon’s most significant experiments—and some of the vital roguelikes ever made.
