69
MONSTER
You can meet and recruit Pokémon in a dungeon-crawling adventure within their world! Build a rescue team to take on mysterious, changing dungeons and strategically plan your moves as you venture forth to make the Pokémon world a safer place…and uncover your true purpose along the way. As you recruit Pokémon, these trusty teammates will need somewhere to stay, so build camps to house, manage, and strengthen your Pokémon friends. Think hard about who is right for the job and how to approach each mysterious dungeon as you prepare a rescue team. You’ll move a single square at a time or use Auto mode to speed up movement until you engage other Pokémon in turn-based battles—but don’t forget about Pokémon strengths and weaknesses! This version adds gorgeous watercolor-inspired graphics, and more! Get comfortable in being a Pokémon, there’s a lot of work to do.
Game analysis
Monster Scorecard
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Story and Narrative
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68
Praised for its heartfelt, nostalgic charm and unique take on friendship, but criticized for simplistic, formulaic storytelling that feels stuck in 2005—its emotional warmth can’t fully offset a lack of depth or innovation.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR STORY
Story Score
68
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
71%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the story and narrative.
TL;DR
story and narrative
Praised for its heartfelt, nostalgic charm and unique take on friendship, but criticized for simplistic, formulaic storytelling that feels stuck in 2005—its emotional warmth can’t fully offset a lack of depth or innovation.
Gameplay Mechanics
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63
Rescue Team DX balances accessible charm with repetitive tedium: while its strategic depth, party expansion, and quality-of-life upgrades please fans, outdated mechanics, monotonous dungeon loops, and simplified combat undermine its potential, leaving a divisive legacy between nostalgia-driven appeal and modern shortcomings.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR GAMEPLAY
Gameplay Score
63
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
65%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
11%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the gameplay mechanics.
TL;DR
gameplay mechanics
Rescue Team DX balances accessible charm with repetitive tedium: while its strategic depth, party expansion, and quality-of-life upgrades please fans, outdated mechanics, monotonous dungeon loops, and simplified combat undermine its potential, leaving a divisive legacy between nostalgia-driven appeal and modern shortcomings.
Graphics and Visual Design
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77
Charming storybook visuals charm critics with nostalgic watercolor flair, but outdated tech, repetitive dungeons, and blurred textures undermine polish, leaving a mixed legacy for fans of style over substance.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR VISUALS
Visual Score
77
Positive Reviews (80-100)
67%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
29%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
5%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the graphics and visual design.
TL;DR
graphics and visual design
Charming storybook visuals charm critics with nostalgic watercolor flair, but outdated tech, repetitive dungeons, and blurred textures undermine polish, leaving a mixed legacy for fans of style over substance.
Music and Sound Design
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76
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX’s soundtrack blends nostalgic charm with infectious melodies that elevate its whimsical vibe, praised for remastered warmth and emotional highs. Yet, repetition, dated tracks, and a lack of modernization dulled long-term appeal, with critics calling it serviceable but stale—a mixed legacy balancing heartfelt homage against creative stagnation.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR SOUND DESIGN
Sound Score
76
Positive Reviews (80-100)
55%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
45%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
0%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the music and sound design.
TL;DR
music and sound design
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX’s soundtrack blends nostalgic charm with infectious melodies that elevate its whimsical vibe, praised for remastered warmth and emotional highs. Yet, repetition, dated tracks, and a lack of modernization dulled long-term appeal, with critics calling it serviceable but stale—a mixed legacy balancing heartfelt homage against creative stagnation.
Voice Acting
NA
TL;DR
voice acting
Description unavailable
Technical Performance
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64
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX delivers stable, smooth performance on Switch with smart updates like autosaving and auto-mode, but clunky controls, AI hiccups, and visual compromises linger as persistent flaws, creating a polished yet imperfect experience.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR TECHNICAL PERFORMANCE
Tech Score
64
Positive Reviews (80-100)
24%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
62%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
14%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the technical performance.
TL;DR
technical performance
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX delivers stable, smooth performance on Switch with smart updates like autosaving and auto-mode, but clunky controls, AI hiccups, and visual compromises linger as persistent flaws, creating a polished yet imperfect experience.
Replay Value
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65
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX delivers a sprawling, grind-heavy experience with randomized dungeons, endless side quests, and post-game challenges that promise hundreds of hours for completionists—yet its repetitive mechanics, static environments, and lack of meaningful progression leave many frustrated. While roguelike depth and recruitment systems satisfy genre fans, the game’s formulaic structure and tedium polarize players, making it a love-it-or-hate-it affair for nostalgic enthusiasts versus those craving innovation.
SCORE DISTRIBUTION FOR REPLAY VALUE
Replay Score
65
Positive Reviews (80-100)
28%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
60%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
12%
Based on analyzing reviews that specifically scored or critiqued the replay value.
TL;DR
replay value
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX delivers a sprawling, grind-heavy experience with randomized dungeons, endless side quests, and post-game challenges that promise hundreds of hours for completionists—yet its repetitive mechanics, static environments, and lack of meaningful progression leave many frustrated. While roguelike depth and recruitment systems satisfy genre fans, the game’s formulaic structure and tedium polarize players, making it a love-it-or-hate-it affair for nostalgic enthusiasts versus those craving innovation.
Overall Verdict
69
MONSTER
OVERALL SCORE DISTRIBUTION
Monster Score
69
Positive Reviews (80-100)
31%
Mixed Reviews (50-79)
63%
Negative Reviews (0-49)
7%
Based on analyzing all available reviews that scored and critiqued the game.
TL;DR
Nostalgic charm meets modernized polish in Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX, but repetitive gameplay and shallow mechanics undermine its potential, making it a divisive pick for fans craving familiarity over innovation.
69
MONSTER
Reviews
78 reviews found90
TheGamer
Mar 10, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A culmination of the series' strengths, blending accessibility with depth, charming aesthetics, and robust mechanics. It is recommended as an excellent entry point for newcomers and a satisfying experience for veterans.
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90
Game Rant
Mar 19, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A charming, nostalgic spin-off that balances cutesy storytelling with dungeon-crawling mechanics. While not revolutionary, it delivers a satisfying experience for fans and newcomers, with strong visuals, music, and endgame content that keeps players engaged long after the main story concludes.
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90
Digitally Downloaded
Mar 10, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The reviewer, as a fan of Pokémon and Mystery Dungeon games, highly praises the title for its charm, art style, and nostalgic appeal, despite acknowledging its niche nature and minor flaws. It is described as a love letter to longtime fans.
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85
Video Chums
Mar 7, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A top-notch example of Mystery Dungeon games, praised for its accessibility, adorable presentation, and substantial improvements over originals, despite some flaws in challenge and repetition.
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84
RPG Fan
Aug 8, 2022
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
Despite issues with difficulty balance and post-game repetition, the game is deemed fun and accessible, particularly as a starting point for Mystery Dungeon fans. It balances challenge and storytelling effectively, though its target audience remains somewhat unclear.
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80
GameSpot
Mar 5, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A worthwhile experience that improves upon the originals with refined mechanics, emotional storytelling, and stylish presentation. It offers a unique take on the Pokémon formula and is recommended for both newcomers and fans.
80
3DJuegos
Mar 4, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The remake is praised as a respectful and improved version of the original, with notable enhancements in accessibility, visuals, and gameplay. While it doesn't revolutionize the formula, it successfully caters to fans and offers a rewarding experience.
80
Hardcore Gamer
Mar 10, 2020
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A revitalizing remake that enhances the original's strengths with improved graphics, gameplay features, and accessibility, offering a satisfying adventure for newcomers and veterans alike.
80
Vooks
Apr 15, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
A faithful remake that balances nostalgia with minor improvements. While it excels in visuals and music, its outdated gameplay and limited changes make it a polarizing experience. The review acknowledges its strengths but questions its relevance for new players.
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80
USgamer
Mar 4, 2020
AI-generated summary • May contain inaccuracies • See full review for precise details
The game is deemed a good experience with charm and emotional depth, despite some flaws. It balances nostalgia with improvements but lacks the original's ambition, yet retains a warm heart that makes it worthwhile.
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