Pokemon Rumble 3D Blast may not have been the game 3DS owners originally wanted, but with enough depth and over 50 hours of gameplay, Streetpass and two-player options galore, the game is exactly what the system needed. It’s certainly not the best Pokemon game ever released, but with its beat-em-up feel and colorful graphics, it’s a game fans of the series will grow to love.
With the new additions to the Pokemon franchise reportedly being released on the DS, this title, more than six months after its release, is the only exclusive title in the series available on the 3DS.
The story is weird and full of silly twists and turns which will make the average Pokemaniac scoff. At the same time, you don’t need any prior experience in the series to enjoy this game, making it perfect for youngsters who missed the prime years of the franchise.
But hardcore fans of the series will find it annoyingly different- at first. The fact that Pokemon only have two moves robs some of the gameplay depth originally, but after a few hours, it won’t be as big of a deal anymore. Rather than even try to put this in the same league as a traditional Pokemon RPGs, Pokemon Rumble 3D Blast should be appreciated for what it is– a “Guantlet” clone that uses Pokemon. At its core, it’s a button-masher with a host of unlockables and secrets that cashes in on an adorable license.
After the original frustration wears thin, the simple gameplay and amount of levels make for a game you won’t be able to put down. Unlike other games in the series, there are no trainers. Taking place in another world, Pokemon are actually sentient toys. Yeah, don’t try and figure that one out. You’ll have a seizure. Speaking of seizures, the 3D effects in this game will drive you batty. When Pokemon are defeated, they either turn into coins or are “befriended,” or caught, cough, cough. When this happens, the toys or coins will fly at the screen. With multiple enemies on-scree,n this can be an optical disaster. Some of the Pokemon don’t look too much different from the coins themselves as well, which can cause gameplay issues on tougher levels. Because of this, for most gamers, playing in 2D will be just fine.
Aside from those graphical glitches, the game, once beaten, becomes incredibly difficult. Chances are it’ll take you longer to finish the extra levels than the main game. In spite of that, there is no other game on the 3DS that offers this type of playability. For a console starved for more RPGs and titles gamers can really sink their teeth into, Pokemon Rumble 3D Blast does a solid job of filling a necessary niche.
If you accept the game for its differences from the main series, you’ll find it a fun time killer. If you’re looking for a new Pokemon role-playing game which takes advantage of the 3DS’ abilities, you’re going to be waiting for a while. Rather than torture yourself, you can at least solve some of your problems with this title.
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