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|caption = North American cover art with ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky''
|caption = North American cover art with ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky''
|developer = [[Chunsoft]]
|developer = [[Chunsoft]]
|publisher = [[Nintendo]]<br />[[The Pokémon Company]]
|publisher = {{vgrelease|JP|[[The Pokémon Company]]|WW|[[Nintendo]]}}
|director = Seiichiro Nagahata<br />Hironori Ishigami
|director = Seiichiro Nagahata<br />Hironori Ishigami
|producer = [[Koichi Nakamura]]<br>Hiroaki Tsuru<br>Mikiko Ohashi<br>Kunimi Kawamura<br>Hitoshi Yamagami
|producer = [[Koichi Nakamura]]<br>Hiroaki Tsuru<br>Mikiko Ohashi<br>Kunimi Kawamura<br>Hitoshi Yamagami
Line 14: Line 14:
|composer = [[Arata Iiyoshi]]<br />[[Hideki Sakamoto]]<br />Keisuke Ito<br />Ken-ichi Saito<br />Yoshihiro Maeda
|composer = [[Arata Iiyoshi]]<br />[[Hideki Sakamoto]]<br />Keisuke Ito<br />Ken-ichi Saito<br />Yoshihiro Maeda
|series = ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]''
|series = ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon]]''
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 18, 2009|TW|April 18, 2009|NA|October 12, 2009|AUS|November 12, 2009|EU|November 20, 2009}}
|released = {{vgrelease|JP|April 18, 2009|NA|October 12, 2009|AUS|November 12, 2009|EU|November 20, 2009}}
|genre = [[Roguelike]]
|genre = [[Roguelike]], [[role-playing game]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|modes = [[Single player]]
|platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
|platforms = [[Nintendo DS]]
}}
}}


'''''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team'''''|ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊|Pokémon Fushigi no Danjon Sora no Tankentai|lit. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}}} is an enhanced version of ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]'' released for the [[Nintendo DS]] in 2009. As a sister game, and sometimes referred to as the definitive edition to ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness'',<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221282_1124.html?newwindow=true|title=『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン』シリーズ最新作発売決定 『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊』|language=ja|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022}}</ref> additional features include the addition of the missing Generation IV Pokémon, further development for a few side characters, and more options, items, and features.
'''''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky'''''{{efn|Known in Japan as {{nihongo|'''''Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team'''''|ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊|Pokémon Fushigi no Danjon Sora no Tankentai|lit. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team|lead=yes|group=lower-alpha}}}} is an enhanced version of ''[[Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness]]'' released for the [[Nintendo DS]] in 2009, developed by [[Chunsoft]] and published by [[The Pokémon Company]] and [[Nintendo]]. As a sister game, and sometimes referred to as the definitive edition to the aforementioned games,<ref>{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/game/news/1221282_1124.html|script-title=ja:『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン』シリーズ最新作発売決定 『ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊』|language=ja|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|date=January 15, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022}}</ref> additional features include the addition of the missing Generation IV Pokémon, further character development for a few side characters in content known as Special Episodes, and a few quality of life improvement for options, items, and other gameplay related features.


In terms of gameplay and premise, ''Explorers of Sky'' is largely similar to its predecessors, where a human-turned-Pokémon joins an exploration team, explores shifting dungeons, and fights hostile Pokémon through turn-based combat. The three games had accumulated worldwide sales in excess of 5.9 million copies in 2010, then 6.37 million copies after 2010.<ref name="whitepaper">{{cite book |title=CESA Games White Papers |publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]] }}{{ISBN missing}}</ref> Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews from critics, in opposition to the fans' reception which was notably more positive, with many considering it a [[cult classic]] and one of the best games in the ''[[Mystery Dungeon]]'' series overall.
In terms of gameplay and premise, ''Explorers of Sky'' is largely similar to its predecessors, where a human-turned-Pokémon joins an exploration team, explores shifting dungeons, and fights hostile Pokémon through turn-based combat. The three games had accumulated worldwide sales in excess of 5.9 million copies in 2010, then 6.37 million copies after 2010.<ref name="whitepaper">{{cite book |script-title=ja:2020CESAゲーム白書|trans-title=2020 CESA Games White Papers|publisher=[[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]|year=2020|isbn=978-4-902346-42-8}}</ref> Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews from critics, in opposition to the fans' reception which was notably more positive, with many considering it a [[cult classic]] and the best game in the ''[[Mystery Dungeon]]'' series overall.


==Gameplay==
==Gameplay==
{{See also|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness#Gameplay{{!}}''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' § Gameplay}}
{{See also|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness#Gameplay{{!}}''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' § Gameplay}}


Serving as a sister game to ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', a lot of new content was added in ''Explorers of Sky''. As with its predecessors, the game follows the story of a human who is mysteriously transformed into a [[Pokémon]], determined by a personality test at the game's start-up. Along with the starters from the previous game, five more are included as playable choices; [[Phanpy]], [[Riolu]], [[Shinx]], [[Eevee]], and [[Vulpix]]. Some, however, are only available to certain genders; Eevee, Skitty, and Vulpix are always female, while Riolu, Phanpy, and Shinx are always male. Moreover, 2 starters, [[Munchlax]] and [[Meowth]] were removed from the playable roster and can only be picked as the partner.
Serving as a sister game to ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', a lot of new content was added in ''Explorers of Sky''. As with its predecessors, the game follows the story of a human who is mysteriously transformed into a [[Pokémon]], determined by a personality test at the game's start-up. Along with the starters from the previous game, five more are included as playable choices; [[Phanpy]], [[Riolu]], [[Shinx]], [[Eevee]], and [[Vulpix]]. Some, however, are only available to certain genders; Eevee, [[Skitty]], and Vulpix are always female, while Riolu, Phanpy, and Shinx are always male. Moreover, 2 starters, [[Munchlax]] and [[Meowth]], were removed from the playable roster and can only be picked as the partner.


===New features===
===New features===
Lookalike items will start to appear early in the game; they have different effects from their original counterparts, and are distinguished by having a letter swapped or changed in its name (for example, while an Oran Berry heals 100 HP to its eater, an Or''e''n Berry deals 10 damage). A new location appears during the story's progression named Spinda Café. It serves as a location to make drinks, recycle items, find new optional dungeons, obtain rare items and new missions, and see team members and recurring Pokémon hanging around. After completing the game's main story, the remaining Generation IV Pokémon that were not present in ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', for example, both forms of [[Shaymin]], the Origin form of [[Giratina]], available only for a few dungeons, and [[Arceus]] in the form of a statue in Destiny Tower, have returned since their in-game debut in ''[[Pokémon Platinum]]'', which was released the year after the original games. Throughout the entire game, the player is able to unlock music tracks in the Sky Jukebox, which allows players to play the game's entire soundtrack. This feature was recycled in the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Steam (service)|Steam]] port of ''[[Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate]]'' in 2020, then for its [[smartphones]] port in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1292448.html|title=Nintendo Switch/Steam「不思議のダンジョン 風来のシレン5plus フォーチュンタワーと運命のダイス」本日発売|language=ja|website=Game-watch|date=December 3, 2020|author=Midorisato, Takayuki|access-date=September 9, 2022|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909190218/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1292448.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Lookalike items will start to appear early in the game; they have different effects from their original counterparts, and are distinguished by having a letter swapped or changed in its name (for example, while an Oran Berry heals 100 HP to its eater, an Or''e''n Berry deals 10 damage). A new location appears in the only town during the story's progression named Spinda Café. It serves as a location to make drinks, recycle items, find new optional dungeons, obtain rare items and new missions, and see team members and recurring Pokémon hanging around. After completing the game's main story, the remaining Generation IV Pokémon that were not present in ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', for example, both forms of [[Shaymin]], the Origin form of [[Giratina]] available only for a few dungeons, and [[Arceus]] in the form of a statue in Destiny Tower, have returned since their in-game debut in ''[[Pokémon Platinum]]'', which was released the year after the original games.


''Explorers of Sky'' expands on the plot of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness''. One such is the event Pokémon [[Shaymin]], located in a new location called Shaymin Village, and a new side story for Shaymin available after finishing the main story and graduating from the Guild.<ref name="sora06"/> One of the new locations, Shaymin Village, along with its dungeon, Sky Peak Mountain Path, references ''[[Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer]]'' and its main dungeon Table Mountain, as the progress from a village to the top of the mountain. Checkpoints spread throughout the main dungeon, and a boss at the mountain's peak function equally in both games.<ref name="sora06">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.co.jp/special/dungeon_sora/episode/06.html|title=あたらしいエピソード <nowiki>|</nowiki> そらのいただき <nowiki>|</nowiki> 特集：ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊 <nowiki>|</nowiki> ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト|language=ja|website=pokemon.co.jp|date=April 15, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|archive-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101230025/https://www.pokemon.co.jp/special/dungeon_sora/episode/06.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
Throughout the entire game, the player is able to unlock music tracks in the Sky Jukebox, which allows them to play the game's entire soundtrack. This feature was recycled in the [[Nintendo Switch]] and [[Steam (service)|Steam]] port of ''[[Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate]]'' in 2020, then for its [[smartphones]] port in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1292448.html|script-title=ja:Nintendo Switch/Steam「不思議のダンジョン 風来のシレン5plus フォーチュンタワーと運命のダイス」本日発売|language=ja|website=Game-watch|date=December 3, 2020|author=Takayuki, Midorisato|access-date=September 9, 2022|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909190218/https://game.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/1292448.html|url-status=live}}</ref>


Through completing the main storyline of ''Explorers of Sky'', five new Special Episodes will be gradually unlocked at certain points of the game which add unique stories expanding on side characters of the game, and explores the background of several other characters, sometimes new to the plot. They involve playing as the specified characters of the episode as opposed to the player's protagonist and partner; namely [[Bidoof]], Wigglytuff (as [[Igglybuff]]), [[Sunflora]], Team Charm (as [[Lopunny]]), and [[Grovyle]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.serebii.net/dungeonsky/specialepisodes.shtml|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Special Episodes|website=www.serebii.net|access-date=2019-04-11|archive-date=2019-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411115902/https://www.serebii.net/dungeonsky/specialepisodes.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="4gamer_0109"/>
''Explorers of Sky'' expands on the plot of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness''. One such is the event Pokémon Shaymin, located in a new location called Shaymin Village, and a new side story for Shaymin available after finishing the main story and graduating from the Guild.<ref name="sora06"/> One of the new locations, Shaymin Village, along with its dungeon, Sky Peak Mountain Path, references ''[[Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer]]'' and its main dungeon Table Mountain, as the progress from a village to the top of the mountain, checkpoints spread throughout the main dungeon, and a boss at the mountain's peak function equally in both games.<ref name="sora06">{{Cite web|url=https://www.pokemon.co.jp/special/dungeon_sora/episode/06.html|script-title=ja:あたらしいエピソード <nowiki>|</nowiki> そらのいただき <nowiki>|</nowiki> 特集：ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊 <nowiki>|</nowiki> ポケットモンスターオフィシャルサイト|language=ja|website=pokemon.co.jp|date=April 15, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|archive-date=November 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221101230025/https://www.pokemon.co.jp/special/dungeon_sora/episode/06.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

Through completing the main storyline of ''Explorers of Sky'', five new Special Episodes will be gradually unlocked at certain points of the game which add unique stories expanding on side characters of the game, and explores the background of several other characters, sometimes new to the plot. They involve playing as the specified characters of the episode as opposed to the player's protagonist and partner; namely [[Bidoof]], [[Wigglytuff]] (as [[Igglybuff]]), [[Sunflora]], Team Charm (as [[Lopunny]]), and [[Grovyle]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.serebii.net/dungeonsky/specialepisodes.shtml|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Special Episodes|website=www.serebii.net|access-date=2019-04-11|archive-date=2019-04-11|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411115902/https://www.serebii.net/dungeonsky/specialepisodes.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="4gamer_0109"/>


===Version exclusives===
===Version exclusives===
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{{See also|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness#Plot{{!}}''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' § Plot}}
{{See also|Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness#Plot{{!}}''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' § Plot}}


Long ago, prior to the main story, Igglybuff, later known as the head of the guild [[Wigglytuff]], became an explorer by meeting [[Armaldo]], and began his journey as one. From that moment, he shows his prodigious talent for exploration by succeeding in one difficult expedition after another. However, Armaldo gets arrested for being a criminal in hiding, leaving only a Defend Globe as a memento. Igglybuff, now evolved as Wigglytuff, meets Team Charm in one of his explorations. The treasure hunter team, formed by [[Lopunny]], [[Gardevoir]], and [[Medicham]], have previously heard of a treasure in the south of the continent. After confronting numerous foes, they find the rumored treasure, which turns out be a dud made by Ditto. The real treasure was none other than a Time Gear that was previously seen in the background of ''Explorers of Time''’s title screen.
Long ago, prior to the main story, Igglybuff, later known as the head of the guild Wigglytuff, became an explorer by meeting [[Armaldo]], and began his journey as one. From that moment, he shows his prodigious talent for exploration by succeeding in one difficult expedition after another. However, Armaldo gets arrested for being a criminal in hiding, leaving only a Defend Globe as a memento. Igglybuff, now evolved as Wigglytuff, meets Team Charm in one of his explorations. The treasure hunter team, formed by Lopunny, [[Gardevoir]], and [[Medicham]], have previously heard of a treasure in the south of the continent. After confronting numerous foes, they find the rumored treasure, which turns out be a dud made by [[Ditto (Pokémon)|Ditto]]. The real treasure was none other than a Time Gear that was previously seen in the background of ''Explorers of Time''’s title screen.


Long after these events, Bidoof, one of the members of the Wigglytuff Guild, originally wanted to become a first-class explorer. As such, he left his hometown and started training at the guild, with unfavorable results. In an exploration of a rumored treasure, he meets [[Jirachi]], who grants him the wish of having someone to tutor. That ends up being the protagonist and their partner. During the chase against Grovyle in the main story, Sunflora, a senior member of the guild, gets a request on arresting a group of [[Haunter (Pokémon)|Haunter]].
Long after these events, Bidoof, one of the members of the Wigglytuff Guild, originally wanted to become a first-class explorer. As such, he left his hometown and started training at the guild, with unfavorable results. In an exploration of a rumored treasure, he meets [[Jirachi]], who grants him the wish of having someone to tutor. That ends up being the protagonist and their partner. During the chase against Grovyle in the main story, Sunflora, a senior member of the guild, gets a request on arresting a group of [[Haunter (Pokémon)|Haunter]].


As Grovyle sacrifices himself to drag [[Dusknoir]] back to the future in the main story, they and Celebi are forced to wander through the land, as Primal Dialga's defeat in the present grows closer and it gets increasingly agitated. Dusknoir betrays Grovyle, but is himself betrayed by Dialga before getting to possess Grovyle's body, forcing them back together. At the end, they fend off Primal Dialga's attack while the protagonists beat it in the present, and have their disappearances undone by Dialga when the Time Gears are returned to Temporal Tower. The trio chooses to enjoy their time in the revitalized world.
As Grovyle sacrifices himself to drag [[Dusknoir]] back to the future in the main story, they and [[Celebi (Pokémon)|Celebi]] are forced to wander through the land, as [[Dialga|Primal Dialga]]'s defeat in the present grows closer and it gets increasingly agitated. Dusknoir betrays Grovyle, but is himself betrayed by Dialga before getting to possess Grovyle's body, forcing them back together. At the end, they fend off Primal Dialga's attack while the protagonists beat it in the present, and have their disappearances undone by the power of a being which Dialga states is higher than himself. The trio chooses to enjoy their time in the revitalized world.


After the team graduates from the Wigglytuff Guild, Spinda's Café discovers a village inhabited by Shaymin at the east of the continent. By the time the protagonists get there, numerous explorers are already traversing the nearby Sky Mountain. Its peak, once a lush environment from where the continent could be viewed, had been taken over by a band of Grimer and Muk. The protagonists drive them out, and a Shaymin purifies the area, returning its old luster and using the peak's Gracidea flowers to change into its Sky Forme.
After the team graduates from the Wigglytuff Guild, Spinda's Café discovers a village inhabited by Shaymin at the east of the continent. By the time the protagonists get there, numerous explorers are already traversing the nearby Sky Mountain. Its peak, once a lush environment from where the continent could be viewed, had been taken over by a band of [[Grimer]] and [[Muk (Pokémon)|Muk]]. The protagonists drive them out, and a Shaymin purifies the area, returning its old luster and using the peak's Gracidea flowers to change into its Sky Forme.


==Development==
==Development==
With the success of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' worldwide, and the ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon'' series selling over 10 million copies sold by the end of 2008, a sister game was announced half a year after the release of ''[[Shiren the Wanderer (2008 video game)|Shiren the Wanderer 3]]'' for the [[Wii]] in Japan.<ref name="4gamer_0109"/>
⚫
With the success of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' worldwide, and the ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon'' series selling over 10 million copies sold by the end of 2008, a sister game was announced half a year after the release of ''[[Shiren the Wanderer (2008 video game)|Shiren the Wanderer 3]]'' for the [[Wii]] in Japan. On January 20, 2009, 4gamer teased ''Explorers of Sky'' with a pending release date set for Spring 2009. Like ''Pokémon Platinum'' was the sister game of ''[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl]]'' at the time, ''Explorers of Sky'' was shown as the sister game of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', and featured additional content such as additional Pokémon available at the start and side stories centered for a few side characters in "Special Episodes".<ref name="4gamer_0109">{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090120014/|title=新エピソードを収録，主人公＆パートナーポケモンが増えた「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」が2009年春に発売|language=ja|date=January 20, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180014/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090120014/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nearly a month after its teasing, the game received a release date set for April 18, 2009 in Japan, in addition of a website dedicated to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090216001/|title=「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」の発売日が4月18日に決定！ パッケージイラストにはシェイミの姿も|language=ja|date=February 16, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180014/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090216001/|url-status=live}}</ref> A day before its initial release, more info were dropped for the game, along with the presence of Shaymin and its new location, Shaymin Village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090417069/|title=「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」は4月18日発売＆「ポケットモンスター プラチナ」でシェイミに出会える"どうぐ"を期間限定配信|language=ja|date=April 17, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180045/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090417069/|url-status=live}}</ref>


⚫
On January 20, 2009, few video game related news teased ''Explorers of Sky'' with a pending release date set for Spring 2009.<ref name="4gamer_0109"/> Like ''Pokémon Platinum'' was the sister game of ''[[Pokémon Diamond and Pearl]]'' at the time, ''Explorers of Sky'' was shown as the sister game of ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'', and featured additional content such as additional Pokémon available at the start and side stories centered for a few side characters in "Special Episodes".<ref name="4gamer_0109">{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090120014/|script-title=ja:新エピソードを収録，主人公＆パートナーポケモンが増えた「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」が2009年春に発売|language=ja|date=January 20, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180014/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090120014/|url-status=live}}</ref> Nearly a month after its teasing, the game received a release date set for April 18, 2009 in Japan, in addition of a website dedicated to the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090216001/|script-title=ja:「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」の発売日が4月18日に決定！ パッケージイラストにはシェイミの姿も|language=ja|date=February 16, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180014/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090216001/|url-status=live}}</ref> A day before its initial release, more info were dropped for the game, along with the presence of Shaymin and its new location, Shaymin Village.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090417069/|script-title=ja:「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊」は4月18日発売＆「ポケットモンスター プラチナ」でシェイミに出会える"どうぐ"を期間限定配信|language=ja|date=April 17, 2009|access-date=September 9, 2022|website=4gamer|archive-date=September 9, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220909180045/https://www.4gamer.net/games/082/G008299/20090417069/|url-status=live}}</ref>
A trimester after its Japanese release, on July 29, 2009, ''Explorers of Sky'' received a North American release for October 12 of the same year, confirmed by Nintendo of America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/29/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-3-us-date-set|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 3 US Date Set|date=July 29, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911111254/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/29/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-3-us-date-set|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in September 2009, a European released was confirmed for November 20,<ref name="pocketgamer"/> and in October 2009 an Australian release for November 12.<ref name="gonintendo"/>

When the game was first revealed in Japan, western media expected to see an overseas release by the end of 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cubed3.com/news/11470/1/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-the-sky-screens.html|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky Screens|author=Joshua Callum Jeffery|date=January 17, 2009|access-date=August 11, 2023|website=Cubed3}}</ref> A trimester after its Japanese release, on July 29, 2009, ''Explorers of Sky'' received a North American release for October 12 of the same year, confirmed by Nintendo of America.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/29/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-3-us-date-set|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon 3 US Date Set|date=July 29, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|website=[[IGN]]|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911111254/https://www.ign.com/articles/2009/07/29/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-3-us-date-set|url-status=live}}</ref> Later in September 2009, a European released was confirmed for November 20,<ref name="pocketgamer"/> and in October 2009 an Australian release for November 12.<ref name="gonintendo"/> This game was the last time Nob Ogasawara worked as a translator in both the ''Pokémon'' franchise, and ''Mystery Dungeon'' series before his departure.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://stealthoptional.com/news/og-pokemon-translator-crystal-cruel-and-unusual-punishment/|title=OG Pokémon Translator calls Crystal a 'cruel and unusual punishment'|author=White, Lewis|date=August 2, 2023|website=Stealth Optional|access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref> Prior to this event, he had worked as a translator in the latter series with ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team'', but also in ''[[Torneko: The Last Hope]]''.<ref>{{cite web|author=King, Austin|url=https://geektogeekmedia.com/geekery/dragonquestaustin/dragon-quest-translation-localization-interview-with-nob-ogasawara/|title=DRAGON QUEST TRANSLATION & LOCALIZATION: INTERVIEW WITH NOB OGASAWARA|website=Geek to Geek Media|date=15 September 2020 |access-date=August 6, 2023}}</ref>


==Release==
==Release==
''Explorers of Sky'' was released in Japan and Taiwan on April 18, 2009; North America on October 12, 2009; Australia on November 12, 2009;<ref name="gonintendo">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=101468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110918/http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=101468|url-status=dead|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky dated for Australia|website=Go Nintendo|archive-date=July 11, 2011}}</ref> and Europe on November 20, 2009.<ref name="pocketgamer">{{cite news|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DSi/Pok%E9mon+Mystery+Dungeon:+Explorers+of+the+Sky/news.asp?c=15872|author=Spanner Spencer|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky gets European DS and DSi release date|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=2009-09-29|access-date=2018-01-03|archive-date=2012-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329063009/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DSi/Pok%E9mon+Mystery+Dungeon:+Explorers+of+the+Sky/news.asp?c=15872|url-status=live}}</ref> No release date for South Korea was even announced throughout 2009, even if its predecessors had one. It was later re-released on the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on July 20, 2016, in North America on June 23, 2016, and in the PAL region on August 18, 2016.
''Explorers of Sky'' was released in Japan and Taiwan on April 18, 2009; North America on October 12, 2009; Australia on November 12, 2009;<ref name="gonintendo">{{Cite web|url=http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=101468|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110711110918/http://www.gonintendo.com/viewstory.php?id=101468|url-status=dead|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky dated for Australia|website=Go Nintendo|archive-date=July 11, 2011}}</ref> and Europe on November 20, 2009.<ref name="pocketgamer">{{cite news|url=http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DSi/Pok%E9mon+Mystery+Dungeon:+Explorers+of+the+Sky/news.asp?c=15872|author=Spanner Spencer|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky gets European DS and DSi release date|website=[[Pocket Gamer]]|date=2009-09-29|access-date=2018-01-03|archive-date=2012-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120329063009/http://www.pocketgamer.co.uk/r/DSi/Pok%E9mon+Mystery+Dungeon:+Explorers+of+the+Sky/news.asp?c=15872|url-status=live}}</ref> No release for South Korea was announced throughout 2009, even if its predecessors had one. It was later re-released, along with ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team'', on the [[Wii U]] [[Virtual Console]] in Japan on July 20, 2016, in North America on June 23, 2016, and in the [[PAL]] region on August 18, 2016.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/20/three-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-games-coming-to-wii-u-virtual-console|title=Three Pokemon Mystery Dungeon Games Coming to Wii U Virtual Console|author=Van Allen, Eric|date=June 20, 2016|website=[[IGN]]|access-date=June 24, 2023}}</ref>


==Reception==
==Reception==
Line 72: Line 76:
|Fam = 35/40<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-43/|title=Famitsu review scores|website=Nintendo Everything|date=2009-04-08|access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=2020-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406155520/https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-43/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|Fam = 35/40<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-43/|title=Famitsu review scores|website=Nintendo Everything|date=2009-04-08|access-date=2020-04-06|archive-date=2020-04-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200406155520/https://nintendoeverything.com/famitsu-review-scores-43/|url-status=live}}</ref>
|JXV = 13/20<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011865-pokemon-donjon-mystere-explorateurs-du-ciel-test.htm|title=Pokémon Donjon Mystère Explorateurs du Ciel|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|language=fr|author=dharn|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911111243/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011865-pokemon-donjon-mystere-explorateurs-du-ciel-test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|JXV = 13/20<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011865-pokemon-donjon-mystere-explorateurs-du-ciel-test.htm|title=Pokémon Donjon Mystère Explorateurs du Ciel|website=[[Jeuxvideo.com]]|date=November 20, 2009|access-date=September 11, 2022|language=fr|author=dharn|archive-date=September 11, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220911111243/https://www.jeuxvideo.com/articles/0001/00011865-pokemon-donjon-mystere-explorateurs-du-ciel-test.htm|url-status=live}}</ref>
|NLife = {{Rating|7|10}}<ref name="life">{{cite web|url=https://www.nintendolife.com/reviews/wiiu-eshop/pokemon_mystery_dungeon_explorers_of_sky_ds|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky Review|website=[[Nintendo Life]]|date=September 11, 2016|access-date=August 11, 2023|author=Vogel, Mitch}}</ref>
|RPGFan = 83%<ref name="rpgfan">{{cite web|url=https://www.rpgfan.com/review/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-sky/|title=Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky|website=RPGFan|date=August 27, 2022|access-date=June 24, 2023|author=Gann, Patrick}}</ref>
}}
}}
⚫
''Explorers of Sky'' received mixed reviews, with the game receiving a score of 54 out of 100 on Metacritic.<ref name="MCsky">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-sky|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky for DS Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=2020-03-10|archive-date=2019-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128042752/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-sky|url-status=live}}</ref> However, fan reception has been notably more positive, with many considering it a [[cult classic]] and one of the best games in the series, many praising the game for its gameplay and story-writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Trahan|first1=Philip|title=A History of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series|date=16 January 2020|url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-development/|publisher=GameRant|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128040954/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-development/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview held in 2022, [[Shin-ichiro Tomie]] claimed he was not aware of the western fanbase, but was able to receive messages from Japanese fans of the series via letters, with some of them claiming the trio as his "[[magnum opus]]".<ref name="interview2022">{{cite web|url=https://seafoamgaming.com/2022/04/17/interview-with-shinichiro-tomie-from-spike-chunsoft/|title=The Meeting of Destiny: An Interview with Shinichiro Tomie from SPIKE CHUNSOFT|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 20, 2022|author=Seafoamgaming|archive-date=April 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419141316/https://seafoamgaming.com/2022/04/17/interview-with-shinichiro-tomie-from-spike-chunsoft/|url-status=live}}</ref>


In its initial release in 2009, ''Explorers of Sky'' received mixed reviews with the game receiving a score of 54 out of 100 on Metacritic.<ref name="MCsky">{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/game/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-sky/critic-reviews/?platform=ds|title=Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky for DS Reviews|publisher=Metacritic|access-date=2020-03-10|archive-date=2019-11-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191128042752/https://www.metacritic.com/game/ds/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-explorers-of-sky|url-status=live}}</ref> However, more recent reviews rated this game with slightly higher scores than average.<ref name="life"/><ref name="rpgfan"/> In the video game magazine [[Famitsu]], the game obtained the Platinum Hall of Fame, with a total of 35 points out of 40 by the writers.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.famitsu.com/cominy/?m=pc&a=page_h_title&title_id=3844&redirect=no|script-title=ja:ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊|magazine=[[Famitsu]]|access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref>
⚫
1.40 million copies of ''Explorers of Sky'' had been sold by March 31, 2010, bringing the total sales of the three games to over 5.90 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Co. Ltd. Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2010|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100507e.pdf|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=2018-01-03|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721202103/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100507e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, combined worldwide sales for the three ''Explorers'' games passed over 6.37 million copies according to [[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]; 4.88 million for ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' and 1.49 million for ''Explorers of Sky''.<ref name="whitepaper"/> They are currently the best-selling games in the ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon'' series, surpassing their predecessors. They are also the best-selling games in the ''Mystery Dungeon'' series in general; surpassing [[Squaresoft]]'s ''[[Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon]]'' and [[Enix]]'s ''[[Torneko: The Last Hope]]'', both accumulating 1.34 million and 759,000 copies respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/1998_ne_fa/index.php |title=1998年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP100 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024025827/http://geimin.net/da/db/1998_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="geimin99">{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/1999_ne_fa/index.php |title=1999年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP300 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024090438/http://geimin.net/da/db/1999_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="geimin02">{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2002_ne_fa/index.php |title=2002年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP300 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024025109/http://geimin.net/da/db/2002_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

⚫
Fan reception has been notably more positive ever since its initial release, with many considering it a [[cult classic]] and one of the best games in the series, praising the game for its gameplay and story-writing.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Trahan|first1=Philip|title=A History of the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series|date=16 January 2020|url=https://gamerant.com/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-development/|publisher=GameRant|access-date=31 December 2020|archive-date=28 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128040954/https://gamerant.com/pokemon-mystery-dungeon-development/|url-status=live}}</ref> In an interview held in 2022, [[Shin-ichiro Tomie]] claimed he was not aware of the western fanbase, but was able to receive messages from Japanese fans of the series via letters, with some of them claiming the trio as his "[[magnum opus]]".<ref name="interview2022">{{cite web|url=https://seafoamgaming.com/2022/04/17/interview-with-shinichiro-tomie-from-spike-chunsoft/|title=The Meeting of Destiny: An Interview with Shinichiro Tomie from SPIKE CHUNSOFT|date=April 18, 2022|access-date=April 20, 2022|author=Seafoamgaming|archive-date=April 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220419141316/https://seafoamgaming.com/2022/04/17/interview-with-shinichiro-tomie-from-spike-chunsoft/|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2018, through exchanges with a fan via e-mail, one of the main composers of the series, [[Arata Iiyoshi]], wanted to release an [[original soundtrack]] based on his works on the two first ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon'' games but could not due to rights issues.<ref>{{cite web|title=The composer of the first two Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games is hoping to release an official OST|url=https://nintendowire.com/news/2018/08/22/the-composer-of-the-first-two-pokemon-mystery-dungeon-games-is-hoping-to-release-an-official-ost/|author=Fruzzetti, Amelia|date=August 22, 2018 |publisher=Nintendo Wire|access-date=August 11, 2023}}</ref>

Some characters from this game later returned in the [[Nintendo 3DS]] game, ''[[Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon]]'', as non-playable characters; they appear in the Connection Orb.

⚫
1.40 million copies of ''Explorers of Sky'' had been sold by March 31, 2010, bringing the total sales of the three games to over 5.90 million copies.<ref>{{cite web|title=Nintendo Co. Ltd. Financial Results Briefing for Fiscal Year Ended March 2010|url=https://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100507e.pdf|publisher=[[Nintendo]]|access-date=2018-01-03|archive-date=2011-07-21|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721202103/http://www.nintendo.co.jp/ir/pdf/2010/100507e.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> Later, combined worldwide sales for the three ''Explorers'' games passed over 6.37 million copies according to [[Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association]]; 4.88 million for ''Explorers of Time'' and ''Explorers of Darkness'' and 1.49 million for ''Explorers of Sky''.<ref name="whitepaper"/> They are currently the best-selling games in the ''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon'' series, surpassing their predecessors. They are also the best-selling games in the ''Mystery Dungeon'' series in general; surpassing [[Squaresoft]]'s ''[[Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon]]'' and [[Enix]]'s ''Torneko: The Last Hope'', both accumulating 1.34 million and 759,000 copies respectively.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/1998_ne_fa/index.php |script-title=ja:1998年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP100 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024025827/http://geimin.net/da/db/1998_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="geimin99">{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/1999_ne_fa/index.php |script-title=ja:1999年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP300 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024090438/http://geimin.net/da/db/1999_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="geimin02">{{cite web |url=http://geimin.net/da/db/2002_ne_fa/index.php |script-title=ja:2002年テレビゲームソフト売り上げTOP300 |website=Geimin.net |access-date=August 20, 2020 |language=ja |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161024025109/http://geimin.net/da/db/2002_ne_fa/index.php |archive-date=October 24, 2016 |url-status=dead }}</ref>


{{Clear}}
{{Clear}}


==Anime tie-in==
==Anime tie-in==
{{More|List of Pokémon special episodes#Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (2007-2009)}}
⚫
A sequel episode, {{Nihongo foot|''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness'',|ポケモン不思議のダンジョン　空の探検隊　時と闇をめぐる 最後の冒険|extra={{lit.}} "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: The Final Adventure Crossing Time and Darkness"|group=lower-alpha}} was first broadcast in Japan on April 12, 2009, also as part of Pokémon Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pokeani.com/news/2009_03/0903_pokenews14.html|title=アニメ版「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン」の新作 ポケモン☆サンデーで4月12日放送|publisher=Pokéani|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314022916/http://pokeani.com/news/2009_03/0903_pokenews14.html|archive-date=2009-03-14|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>

⚫
A sequel episode, {{Nihongo foot|''Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness'',|ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊 時と闇をめぐる 最後の冒険|extra={{lit.}} "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: The Final Adventure Crossing Time and Darkness"|group=lower-alpha}} was first broadcast in Japan on April 12, 2009, also as part of Pokémon Sunday.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pokeani.com/news/2009_03/0903_pokenews14.html|script-title=ja:アニメ版「ポケモン不思議のダンジョン」の新作 ポケモン☆サンデーで4月12日放送|publisher=Pokéani|language=ja|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090314022916/http://pokeani.com/news/2009_03/0903_pokenews14.html|archive-date=2009-03-14|access-date=2020-03-10}}</ref>


==Notes==
==Notes==
Line 93: Line 106:
*[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Mystery_Dungeon:_Explorers_of_Sky Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky at Bulbapedia]
*[http://bulbapedia.bulbagarden.net/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_Mystery_Dungeon:_Explorers_of_Sky Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky at Bulbapedia]


{{Pokémon Generation 4}}
{{Pokémon spinoffs}}
{{Pokémon spinoffs}}
{{Mysterious Dungeon series}}
{{Mystery Dungeon series}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}


Line 105: Line 119:
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video game sequels]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games developed in Japan]]
[[Category:Video games featuring protagonists of selectable gender]]
[[Category:Video games with gender-selectable protagonists]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Arata Iiyoshi]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Arata Iiyoshi]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hideki Sakamoto]]
[[Category:Video games scored by Hideki Sakamoto]]

Revision as of 12:47, 11 June 2024

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
North American cover art with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky
Developer(s)Chunsoft
Publisher(s)
Director(s)Seiichiro Nagahata
Hironori Ishigami
Producer(s)Koichi Nakamura
Hiroaki Tsuru
Mikiko Ohashi
Kunimi Kawamura
Hitoshi Yamagami
Designer(s)Hiroshi Nakamura
Fujimi O-nishi
Shinya Yada
Programmer(s)Yuji Fukuda
Artist(s)Fuyuhiko Koizumi
Writer(s)Shin-ichiro Tomie
Emiko Tanaka
Composer(s)Arata Iiyoshi
Hideki Sakamoto
Keisuke Ito
Ken-ichi Saito
Yoshihiro Maeda
SeriesPokémon Mystery Dungeon
Platform(s)Nintendo DS
Release
  • JP: April 18, 2009
  • NA: October 12, 2009
  • AU: November 12, 2009
  • EU: November 20, 2009
Genre(s)Roguelike, role-playing game
Mode(s)Single player

Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky[a] is an enhanced version of Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness released for the Nintendo DS in 2009, developed by Chunsoft and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. As a sister game, and sometimes referred to as the definitive edition to the aforementioned games,[1] additional features include the addition of the missing Generation IV Pokémon, further character development for a few side characters in content known as Special Episodes, and a few quality of life improvement for options, items, and other gameplay related features.

In terms of gameplay and premise, Explorers of Sky is largely similar to its predecessors, where a human-turned-Pokémon joins an exploration team, explores shifting dungeons, and fights hostile Pokémon through turn-based combat. The three games had accumulated worldwide sales in excess of 5.9 million copies in 2010, then 6.37 million copies after 2010.[2] Upon its release, the game received mixed reviews from critics, in opposition to the fans' reception which was notably more positive, with many considering it a cult classic and the best game in the Mystery Dungeon series overall.

Gameplay

See also: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness § Gameplay

Serving as a sister game to Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, a lot of new content was added in Explorers of Sky. As with its predecessors, the game follows the story of a human who is mysteriously transformed into a Pokémon, determined by a personality test at the game's start-up. Along with the starters from the previous game, five more are included as playable choices; Phanpy, Riolu, Shinx, Eevee, and Vulpix. Some, however, are only available to certain genders; Eevee, Skitty, and Vulpix are always female, while Riolu, Phanpy, and Shinx are always male. Moreover, 2 starters, Munchlax and Meowth, were removed from the playable roster and can only be picked as the partner.

New features

Lookalike items will start to appear early in the game; they have different effects from their original counterparts, and are distinguished by having a letter swapped or changed in its name (for example, while an Oran Berry heals 100 HP to its eater, an Oren Berry deals 10 damage). A new location appears in the only town during the story's progression named Spinda Café. It serves as a location to make drinks, recycle items, find new optional dungeons, obtain rare items and new missions, and see team members and recurring Pokémon hanging around. After completing the game's main story, the remaining Generation IV Pokémon that were not present in Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, for example, both forms of Shaymin, the Origin form of Giratina available only for a few dungeons, and Arceus in the form of a statue in Destiny Tower, have returned since their in-game debut in Pokémon Platinum, which was released the year after the original games.

Throughout the entire game, the player is able to unlock music tracks in the Sky Jukebox, which allows them to play the game's entire soundtrack. This feature was recycled in the Nintendo Switch and Steam port of Shiren the Wanderer: The Tower of Fortune and the Dice of Fate in 2020, then for its smartphones port in 2022.[3]

Explorers of Sky expands on the plot of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness. One such is the event Pokémon Shaymin, located in a new location called Shaymin Village, and a new side story for Shaymin available after finishing the main story and graduating from the Guild.[4] One of the new locations, Shaymin Village, along with its dungeon, Sky Peak Mountain Path, references Mystery Dungeon: Shiren the Wanderer and its main dungeon Table Mountain, as the progress from a village to the top of the mountain, checkpoints spread throughout the main dungeon, and a boss at the mountain's peak function equally in both games.[4]

Through completing the main storyline of Explorers of Sky, five new Special Episodes will be gradually unlocked at certain points of the game which add unique stories expanding on side characters of the game, and explores the background of several other characters, sometimes new to the plot. They involve playing as the specified characters of the episode as opposed to the player's protagonist and partner; namely Bidoof, Wigglytuff (as Igglybuff), Sunflora, Team Charm (as Lopunny), and Grovyle.[5][6]

Version exclusives

Many new locations are available in both the main story and its special episodes, along with new items, lookalike items, and Pokémon which were previously exclusive to Explorers of Time or Explorers of Darkness. With Explorers of Sky having noticeable differences with the original games, content such as Wonder Mail, now named Wonder Mail S, were not cross compatible. Other minor version exclusives include new background artworks for the game's main menu, faster saving time, and more ways to obtain exclusive rescue quests.[6]

Plot

See also: Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness § Plot

Long ago, prior to the main story, Igglybuff, later known as the head of the guild Wigglytuff, became an explorer by meeting Armaldo, and began his journey as one. From that moment, he shows his prodigious talent for exploration by succeeding in one difficult expedition after another. However, Armaldo gets arrested for being a criminal in hiding, leaving only a Defend Globe as a memento. Igglybuff, now evolved as Wigglytuff, meets Team Charm in one of his explorations. The treasure hunter team, formed by Lopunny, Gardevoir, and Medicham, have previously heard of a treasure in the south of the continent. After confronting numerous foes, they find the rumored treasure, which turns out be a dud made by Ditto. The real treasure was none other than a Time Gear that was previously seen in the background of Explorers of Time’s title screen.

Long after these events, Bidoof, one of the members of the Wigglytuff Guild, originally wanted to become a first-class explorer. As such, he left his hometown and started training at the guild, with unfavorable results. In an exploration of a rumored treasure, he meets Jirachi, who grants him the wish of having someone to tutor. That ends up being the protagonist and their partner. During the chase against Grovyle in the main story, Sunflora, a senior member of the guild, gets a request on arresting a group of Haunter.

As Grovyle sacrifices himself to drag Dusknoir back to the future in the main story, they and Celebi are forced to wander through the land, as Primal Dialga's defeat in the present grows closer and it gets increasingly agitated. Dusknoir betrays Grovyle, but is himself betrayed by Dialga before getting to possess Grovyle's body, forcing them back together. At the end, they fend off Primal Dialga's attack while the protagonists beat it in the present, and have their disappearances undone by the power of a being which Dialga states is higher than himself. The trio chooses to enjoy their time in the revitalized world.

After the team graduates from the Wigglytuff Guild, Spinda's Café discovers a village inhabited by Shaymin at the east of the continent. By the time the protagonists get there, numerous explorers are already traversing the nearby Sky Mountain. Its peak, once a lush environment from where the continent could be viewed, had been taken over by a band of Grimer and Muk. The protagonists drive them out, and a Shaymin purifies the area, returning its old luster and using the peak's Gracidea flowers to change into its Sky Forme.

Development

With the success of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness worldwide, and the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series selling over 10 million copies sold by the end of 2008, a sister game was announced half a year after the release of Shiren the Wanderer 3 for the Wii in Japan.[6]

On January 20, 2009, few video game related news teased Explorers of Sky with a pending release date set for Spring 2009.[6] Like Pokémon Platinum was the sister game of Pokémon Diamond and Pearl at the time, Explorers of Sky was shown as the sister game of Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness, and featured additional content such as additional Pokémon available at the start and side stories centered for a few side characters in "Special Episodes".[6] Nearly a month after its teasing, the game received a release date set for April 18, 2009 in Japan, in addition of a website dedicated to the game.[7] A day before its initial release, more info were dropped for the game, along with the presence of Shaymin and its new location, Shaymin Village.[8]

When the game was first revealed in Japan, western media expected to see an overseas release by the end of 2009.[9] A trimester after its Japanese release, on July 29, 2009, Explorers of Sky received a North American release for October 12 of the same year, confirmed by Nintendo of America.[10] Later in September 2009, a European released was confirmed for November 20,[11] and in October 2009 an Australian release for November 12.[12] This game was the last time Nob Ogasawara worked as a translator in both the Pokémon franchise, and Mystery Dungeon series before his departure.[13] Prior to this event, he had worked as a translator in the latter series with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team, but also in Torneko: The Last Hope.[14]

Release

Explorers of Sky was released in Japan and Taiwan on April 18, 2009; North America on October 12, 2009; Australia on November 12, 2009;[12] and Europe on November 20, 2009.[11] No release for South Korea was announced throughout 2009, even if its predecessors had one. It was later re-released, along with Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team and Red Rescue Team, on the Wii U Virtual Console in Japan on July 20, 2016, in North America on June 23, 2016, and in the PAL region on August 18, 2016.[15]

Reception

In its initial release in 2009, Explorers of Sky received mixed reviews with the game receiving a score of 54 out of 100 on Metacritic.[16] However, more recent reviews rated this game with slightly higher scores than average.[27][28] In the video game magazine Famitsu, the game obtained the Platinum Hall of Fame, with a total of 35 points out of 40 by the writers.[29]

Fan reception has been notably more positive ever since its initial release, with many considering it a cult classic and one of the best games in the series, praising the game for its gameplay and story-writing.[30] In an interview held in 2022, Shin-ichiro Tomie claimed he was not aware of the western fanbase, but was able to receive messages from Japanese fans of the series via letters, with some of them claiming the trio as his "magnum opus".[31] In 2018, through exchanges with a fan via e-mail, one of the main composers of the series, Arata Iiyoshi, wanted to release an original soundtrack based on his works on the two first Pokémon Mystery Dungeon games but could not due to rights issues.[32]

Some characters from this game later returned in the Nintendo 3DS game, Pokémon Super Mystery Dungeon, as non-playable characters; they appear in the Connection Orb.

1.40 million copies of Explorers of Sky had been sold by March 31, 2010, bringing the total sales of the three games to over 5.90 million copies.[33] Later, combined worldwide sales for the three Explorers games passed over 6.37 million copies according to Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association; 4.88 million for Explorers of Time and Explorers of Darkness and 1.49 million for Explorers of Sky.[2] They are currently the best-selling games in the Pokémon Mystery Dungeon series, surpassing their predecessors. They are also the best-selling games in the Mystery Dungeon series in general; surpassing Squaresoft's Chocobo's Mysterious Dungeon and Enix's Torneko: The Last Hope, both accumulating 1.34 million and 759,000 copies respectively.[34][35][36]

Anime tie-in

Further information: List of Pokémon special episodes § Pokémon Mystery Dungeon (2007-2009)

A sequel episode, Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky - Beyond Time & Darkness,[b] was first broadcast in Japan on April 12, 2009, also as part of Pokémon Sunday.[37]

Notes

  1. ^ Known in Japan as Pokémon Fushigi no Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team (Japanese: ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊, Hepburn: Pokémon Fushigi no Danjon Sora no Tankentai, lit. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Sky Exploration Team)
  2. ^ ポケモン不思議のダンジョン 空の探検隊 時と闇をめぐる 最後の冒険, lit. "Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Sky: The Final Adventure Crossing Time and Darkness"

References

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  2. ^ a b 2020CESAゲーム白書 [2020 CESA Games White Papers]. Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association. 2020. ISBN 978-4-902346-42-8.
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  13. ^ White, Lewis (August 2, 2023). "OG Pokémon Translator calls Crystal a 'cruel and unusual punishment'". Stealth Optional. Retrieved August 6, 2023.
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