Ahh the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Spin-off series.
In case you are not Really into Gaming terms. A Spin-off is basically an Excuse for the Developers to make a Game in a series that's not like the Main Series in many different ways(Usually different in Gameplay).
An Example of a Spin-off is games like Mario Kart.
There are Rare Examples of a Spin-off Being More Popular then the series it is Supposed to be a Spin-off of. Like the Case of the Persona series.
But today I want to say my Thoughts on one Spin-off Series, the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Series.
This spin-off series were developed by Chunsoft, who Merged with Spike to Form Spike Chunsoft. If that Name Sounds familiar, they are the company that made the Danganronpa Visual Novel Series.
The Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Sub-Series Currently has 4 Games(Technically 7 is you count different Versions of the same game). And I have Played all of them(Not Counting the different Versions)
So, What Did I think of these games?
Personally, I really Like them, These Games has what the Main Series Lacked at the Time, An Engaging Story with Relatable Characters. The Story in these games is more of what you would Expect from a JRPG, usually a Duo of Heroes setting out to save the world.
Each Mystery Dungeon game Usually has the Same Story Formula, But they add new elements to make it interesting.
In Each Game, you have our Protagonist, Who used to be Human but by Mysterious Reasons, was Turned into a Pokemon and Sent into a World Filled with nothing but Pokemon.
Then we also have the Partner, a Friend that the Player Meets, who has their own Noble goal. In the First game, the Partner wants to be a Part of a Rescue team, in the Second game, the Partner wants to be an Explorer, in the Third, the Partner wants to make a Perfect Paradise, In the Fourth game, The Partner wants to Solve Problems in the World.
While there are many Cliches here, some are not that noticeable. and I Really like for fourth Game for trying to break these Cliches, Especially the Ending.
Most Endings in these games End with a Tear Jerker. Which I REFUSE to Spoil.
So my Opinions on these games.
Rescue Team: Alright, not the best game as some say
Explorers: Pretty Good, not the best one in the series to me, but still pretty good
Gates to Infinity: Definitely the Worst in the Series, it's Not a "Bad" game. But it's not Amazing
Super Mystery Dungeon: The best one in my Opinion.
Overall, I REALLY like this Sub-Series, While I dont like it as much as the main series, It is definitely a Game Series I Replay often.
Thats about it.