In terms of RPGs, Pokemon and Final Fantasy could be seen as two sides of the same coin, with both similarities and differences between them. For example, Pokemon has its collectible creatures and Final Fantasy has its party members, both varying in performance by stats and acting differently in terms of functionality. Both series could be considered some of the most influential JRPGs out there, and thatnks to that success, The Pokemon Company and Square Enix have allowed their IPs to dabble in many spin-offs over the years.
The Mystery Dungeon spin-off games are one of the more straightforward connections between Pokemon and Final Fantasy. Started by the co-creator of Dragon Quest, Koichi Nakamura, the Mystery Dungeon series is recognized by its titular procedurally generated dungeons that the player navigates alongside a team of AI-controlled teammates. The Mystery Dungeon series serves as a spin-off genre for many RPGs, but Pokemon has managed to change the conversation surrounding it through its own take that turns the player into a Pokemon. However, there’s a window of opportunity for the tides to change and let Final Fantasy capitalize on what Pokemon has left behind.
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Despite how Pokemon has made the Mystery Dungeon series a bit more commonly known, Final Fantasy was quicker on the draw with Chocobo’s Mysterious Dungeon in 1997. Pokemon wouldn’t enter the genre until 2005 with Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Red and Blue Rescue Team. From there, both takes on the roguelikes were allowed to co-exist, with Final Fantasy Fables: Chocobo’s Dungeon releasing in 2007; the same year as Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness. Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon would fall off the map for years soon after, with Pokemon releasing Gates to Infinity and Super Pokemon Mystery Dungeon in its absence.
Super Pokemon Mystery Dungeon is where the entries stop. Interestingly, the two spin-offs once again battled it out with a remaster of Fables, Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon Every Buddy, releasing almost exactly a year before Pokemon Mystery Dungeon: Rescue Team DX. These two rereleases were well-received by Mystery Dungeon fanatics, but there’s still a strong audience of fans who want another brand-new Pokemon Mystery Dungeon at the very least. Despite the demand, Pokemon has been focusing on other spin-off endeavors, which means Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon could surprise fans in the five-year void since Rescue Team and Every Buddy.
Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon May Have Some Growing Pains if it Wants to Take Pokemon’s Place
While games under the Mystery Dungeon moniker follow a specific format, there’s a very good reason as to why Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon hasn’t sold as well as the Pokemon titles in the same genre. It stands out as a Final Fantasy spin-off by including monsters, summons, and class dynamics from the series. Compared to Pokemon Mystery Dungeon‘s careful use and adaptation of the titular creatures’ already simple type and move dynamics, jumping into Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon and expecting it to feel the exact same may lead some players to be easily overwhelmed and confused. After all, Pokemon Mystery Dungeon was designed to be an easier take on the genre from the very beginning.
Of course, there’s room for the Chocobo series to try its best to simplify its own established mechanics to fix the learning curve, but there’s a strong question as to how. There are many avenues Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon could take to be a better competitor to Pokemon, either by introducing more modern Final Fantasy dynamics or possibly taking a page out of World of Final Fantasy‘s book and focusing on the series’ many popular characters. Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon is certainly rooted in more classic FF rules, so adapting may be the key to gaining an advantage over the other Mystery Dungeon options out there.
If the Mystery Dungeon experience is what players are missing, though, they may be happy to know that the genre is still alive and well, just not under Final Fantasy and Pokemon. Shiren the Wanderer: The Mystery Dungeon of Serpentcoil Island was just released last year, earning decent review scores and breaking previous Shiren sales records. Just like the other Mystery Dungeon titles, it follows the same procedurally generated maps and uses similar roguelike mechanics, so it’s certainly worth checking out if fans enjoy the same adventures with Pikachu or Chocobo. At the very least, it’ll be a great thing to bide time with while waiting for Pokemon Mystery Dungeon or Chocobo’s Mystery Dungeon to return someday.
- Released
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March 20, 2019
- ESRB
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e
- Publisher(s)
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Square Enix