Pok?n XD: Gale of Darkness
Developed by Nintendo
Designed by Genius Sonority Inc.
Rated E for Everyone
1, 2, or 4 Players; 43 Blocks

The sequel to Pok?n Colosseum, this game is a LOT better. Taking place 5 years after Colosseum, this game brings back the conspiracy known as Shadow Pok?n. Cipher, an evil organization that wants world domination, attempt to create these Shadow Pok?n in a way where Evice, the previous leader of Cipher from 5 years ago, went wrong. Normally, you'd be able to Purify these Pok?n and bring them back to normal. Cipher is now attempted to make Shadow Pok?n that CAN'T be Purified, starting with the prototype Pok?n, Lugia, Codename: XD001.

This time, you do not control Wes, the main character of Colosseum, but instead control Michael, an amatuer trainer that loves Battle Sims and lives at a Pok?n Labratory run by Proffessor Krane. Krane is attempted to build the Purification Chamber, a special mechanism that acts as the Relic Stone in Agate Village, only you need not open the Pok?n's heart in battle. Vefore his research is finished, some Cipher henchmen kidnap him and take him to their lab in the middle of Orre. You must rescue him while the rest of his team attempt to finish his work without him. You're introduced to a new Snag Machine, this time being slim in appearance, and carries a Shadow Monitor, which replaces the purpose Rui had in Colosseum: Finding out what Pok?n are Shadow Pok?n. You start of with a Level 10 Eevee, and snag a Level 11 Teddiursa near the beginning. You can also evolve your Eevee in one of the 5 Evolutions it has with the items you can receive at Gateon Port, but choose wisely (I myself went with Jolteon). Unlike last game, there's 83 Shadow Pok?n in this game, compared to the 48 in Colosseum. There are also a few in-game trades, along with the Wild Pok?n and Prize Pok?n at Mt. Battle, totalling to a even 100 obtainable Pok?n in this game, some being Lugia, the Birds, and Dragonite!

The music in this game is stunning. Not only are some themes reused from Colosseum, such as the city themes and some battle themes, but there's new themes as well, such as Miror B.'s new rocking Battle Theme, the rodeo-esque battle theme for Wild Pok?n Battles, and the Cipher Admin theme, which is hard to describe, truth be told.

The Trainers you come across are mostly ones you've encountered in Colosseum, such as Chasers, Riders, etc. But there's some new faces you'll see, namely the Cipher Admins and Peons, whom got a costume makeover. There are 5 Admins in all: Lovrina, Snattle, Gorigan, Ardos, and Eldes, followed with the Grand Master, Greevil. You'll also see some familiar faces in the game. As stated previously, Miror B. returns as well as Justy of Phenac City. And who could forget Eagun and Belha? Team Snagem also returns as well as the Kids Grid, who now run the Orre News Broadcast System (ONBS). Sadly, some areas are removed, such as The Under. As always, there's trainers to battle, including the Colosseum challenges and Mt. Battle.

The graphics look much better compared to Colosseum. Thunder actually looks like Thunder, Psychic looks a LOT better now, etc. Why couldn't Genius Sonority do this good in Colosseum?

All in all, this is a superb game, and it PWNs Colosseum in all ways possible.

Final Score: 96/100


Example of the Purification Chamber


Spheal is Purified, and learns a brand new move!


Snorlax used Hyper Beam!

Nice review, removed last pic you added as was abit too big

I figured as much. No biggie, though.

Nice Review Mage, it tipped me over the edge of whether to buy it or not. *is going to*

Idd nice review! This game looks like fun but I already own Colosseum ^^ That's why I'm not buying it. I need to get a hold on my money for the revo and the new legend of zelda of Nintendo ^^

Thanks for the feedback guys. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to:

1. Get the remaining Shadow Pokémon I missed
2. Write a review for Yu-Gi-Oh The Falsebound Kingdom
3. Write a review for Yu-Gi-Oh Nightmare Troubadour

It looks like a good game. I hope the area is much larger than the previous game.

Some of the things that make a good reveiwer are also the ability to pick out flaws within the game. I've seen a bit of a lack of this in the reviews I've read so far.

Gale of Darkness did have quite a few things that I felt 'missing' from the overall pokemon gameplay mechanics.

But slowly and surely they seem to be re-intoducing the 'wild-capture' system... if only very sparsely.

The main character didn't give off the 'Dark n' cool' vibe that the trainer from Colesseam did either, I missed looking at a trainer that didn't look like he'd just popped outa magical sunshine land. (*cough* Ash, May, Brandon, Kenta, etc)

Annyways, dispite my misgivings on it, Gale of Darkness WAS a pretty nice game. I don't give it the same rating however.

83% Would be my score.

~RC

Well most of the stuff changed though, including the graphics. And you don't need flutes.

Nice review=D
Unfortunately being a stubborn person...i won't buy it. Im totally OVER my pokemon phase!!! but if you asked me 5 years ago, i would of pre-ordered it!!!

Well, you could've copied and pasted it.

Pokemon XD was indeed a worthwile game. The whole Shadow Pokemon idea is a little more appealing than the general catch/train/evolve method used in previous games.

I tried that one...after POkemon Crystal came out i said i wont play the new pokemon gams with all new pokemon. So i didnt get Ruby or Saphire or Colessium...

but i am weak and bought emerald and colessium...and i prob get Gale of Darkness soon too...thanks to its shining review

Bumping is bad
Warning Raised since its pretty old
Locked until I get something verified

Thanks to verification from Immortality, warning removed and topic is opened. I apologized, ComputingCloud for my mistake.

~Namonaki~

Can't wait to get it cuz i heard it was better than the other ones.