Explorers of Sky is the definitive version of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness. The story, Wigglytuff’s Guild and Treasure Town are the same, but the game adds five starter Pokémon, five Special Episodes, new dungeons and a host of tweaks. In 2009, we gave it 15 out of 20, criticizing it for being too close to its predecessors. In hindsight, it stands as the most beloved entry in the series, and its story remains one of the strongest in the entire Pokémon universe.
A story that marked a generation
The hero, a human turned Pokémon with amnesia, is found on a beach by a young Pokémon too shy to join the guild. Together, they become apprentices at Wigglytuff’s Guild. The beginning is lighthearted: rescue jobs, outlaw notices, Team Skull throwing a wrench in their works. Then the story takes a turn. Time Gears disappear, a thief, Grovyle, is hunted down, and the explorer Dusknoir arrives in Treasure Town.
Without giving anything away, let’s just say the second half of the game turns this guild adventure into a tale about time, friendship and sacrifice. The ending is one of the most moving in the series, and it did a lot for the game’s reputation. The Special Episodes, exclusive to Sky, further enrich the tale by giving the leading roles to supporting characters.
The Mystery Dungeon formula at its best
The principle is the series’ own: dungeons with randomly generated floors, explored square by square and turn by turn. Every step counts, hunger forces you onward, and a knockout of the hero or partner costs you some of your money and items. Explorers of Sky softens that last point: you now lose only half of your money. However, more items are lost.
The game adds secret stairs leading to a Secret Bazaar or a treasure room. Outlaws get smarter: they flee, hide or call for reinforcements. Spinda’s Café hosts the Item Exchange and the Juice Bar. Ranks climb faster and four new Master ranks are added. All of this makes the postgame, already huge, more enjoyable.
Huge amounts of content
Some 490 Pokémon can be encountered, and most can be recruited. Legendary Pokémon from four generations await at the bottom of the postgame dungeons. Sky adds Shaymin Village and its Sky Peak, as well as Destiny Tower, often cited as the hardest dungeon in the series. The dozens of hours of the story are only an introduction for anyone who wants to do it all.
What has aged
The dungeon presentation, already plain in 2009, looks austere today. Rescue jobs quickly become repetitive, and repeating the same dungeons can get tiresome, especially in the postgame. The Nintendo DS online features also disappeared with the shutdown of Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection in 2014, but passwords still let you rescue each other among friends.
Should you play it today?
Yes, without hesitation, if you like strong stories and turn-based puzzle-like games. If you own Explorers of Time or Darkness, Sky is still preferable for its additions. The game was re-released on the Wii U Virtual Console in 2016, but the Wii U eShop closed in 2023. It can therefore only be found as a DS cartridge, which is also playable on a Nintendo 3DS.
Our verdict
The best version of the best story in the Mystery Dungeon series. Its presentation has aged, but its story and depth haven’t aged a day.
What we like
- A moving story, served by a memorable ending
- Five Special Episodes that enrich the tale
- A huge postgame, with legendary Pokémon and Destiny Tower included
- Welcome tweaks: ranks, knockouts, Spinda’s Café
What we like less
- Visually poor dungeons
- Repetitive rescue jobs
- A story identical to Time and Darkness
Our 2009 review remains online.
