Metascore
54

Mixed or average reviews - based on 26 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2 out of 26
  2. Negative: 9 out of 26
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  1. A surprisingly tough game, but if you have the previous installment it's not different enough.
  2. 68
    If you can’t handle Pokémon, stay away from this one. Same goes for those who have Explorers of Time and / or Explorers of Darkness, because there’s not much added value in this Explorers of Sky. Diehard fans will enjoy themselves and if you have missed the previous titles, then Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky will offer you a tasteful dungeon crawler in a Pokémon jacket.
  3. I just can't recommend Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky to anyone that has played the previous games in the series. It looks like a GBA game, and is chock full of lazy and somewhat dated gameplay.
  4. While Explorers of Sky would be a decent game if it were judged in a vacuum, when viewed alongside Explorers of Time / Darkness, there simply isn't enough unique, quality content to make it relevant. This is perhaps one of the worst values in gaming I've ever seen.
  5. 60
    Explorers of Sky is a bizarre mix of child-like presentation with hardcore gameplay mechanics which have long since been abandoned by most other hardcore games. It's simultaneously simple and obtuse, easy and challenging.
  6. 60
    Ultimately, most players are probably still better off sticking to 'purer' roguelikes such as Shiren the Wanderer or standard RPGs such the core Pokemon titles.
  7. 58
    Nothing to write home about.
  8. 58
    The game doesn't improve neither enlarges the original game, falling in content repetitiveness quickly, without polishing anyone of the week aspects of the previous games.
  9. Explorers of Time is almost the same product as its two predecessors were a year ago. Its old fashioned gameplay mechanics unfortunately keep you from fully enjoying this basically decent game.
  10. Players who have never played the series before may find this game enjoyable but other than that, only the most hardcore Pokémon fans (who enjoy even the least critically acclaimed games from the franchise) will enjoy playing this title after playing through any of the previous ones.
  11. Only the hardcore fans of the prior Mystery Dungeon games should give this a go, and that is only if you want to get everything out of the story and put many hours into unlocking the extra Episodes.
  12. Completely useless for those who have played one of the other 2 versions, quite futile for other players. Just for Pocket Monsters fans.
  13. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky does not add anything relevant to the series and it is not an evolution at all compared to Explorers of Darkness and Explorers of Time. This installment is clearly designed to squeeze moneys out of the franchise, aiming to kids who will eventually love to enter the world of pokémons once again.
  14. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky suffers from one-sided characters, an annoying mission structure, and the often-confusing menus.
  15. 50
    Explorers of the Sky proves one thing: Pokemon's a fantastic classic RPG, but it still doesn't work as a dungeon crawler.

Awards & Rankings

1
#1 Most Discussed DS Game of 2009
3
#3 Most Shared DS Game of 2009
User Score
9.0

Universal acclaim- based on 435 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Negative: 22 out of 435
  1. Dec 8, 2013
    10
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    This is the most UNDERRATED game in modern gaming history.
    Full Review »
  2. Apr 28, 2020
    10
    DON'T LISTEN TO THE CRITICS. The story is great, the characters are fun and it's really challenging. The only problem is how unforgiving theDON'T LISTEN TO THE CRITICS. The story is great, the characters are fun and it's really challenging. The only problem is how unforgiving the gameplay is (especially at the end). But other than that, it's amazing. Also, despite what the critics say, this game is different from Explorers of Time and Darkness. The special episodes and extra dungeons make the game a lot more fun than other mystery dungeon games. Full Review »
  3. Aug 6, 2016
    10
    This game is the most under-rated game in history. The plot is the best of any in the Pokemon franchise and has a decent game play time. TheThis game is the most under-rated game in history. The plot is the best of any in the Pokemon franchise and has a decent game play time. The music fits perfectly with each scene and level and you can tell effort has been put into it, each stage having it's own music. The downside is little was changed from explorers of Time and darkness and is still the same game. However, it is definitely the one to get out of the three if you are new to the series and don't own any of the others. Full Review »