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| | Customer Reviews: | | | Average Customer Review: ( 21 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
35 of 38 found the following review helpful:
 Just plain fun Oct 09, 2010
By Amanda
I remember the days when Pokemon was new. I was in middle school, part of the target audience, when I heard about these obscure little pocket monsters. At the time (late '90s-ish), it was difficult not to know about them. There was a TV show; numerous videogames; news stories; and of course, the notorious card game. What was so strangely alluring about a children's television show which followed young boy who leaves his mother and, virtually defenseless, embarks on a cross-country journey on which he kidnaps various animals and forces them to fight one another to the death for his enjoyment? The answer: it's Japanese. Because, of course, everything Japanese is cool.
Though my Pokemon cards and GameBoy games are long gone, it's interesting to see how the franchise has continued to evolve and, oddly enough, survive through the years. Frankly, I don't even recognize the franchise now; it's changed so much from its inception. After playing the relatively recent HeartGold (a little closer to my generation of the Pokemon world), I got a little more in tune with the franchise again. I thought it'd be fun to peak in again and see what was going on.
Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs is the third installment in the Pokemon Ranger series, a spin-off of the main-line Pokemon games existing on the Nintendo DS. Guardian Signs. In the Pokemon Ranger series your role is a little different from the typical capture creature, train creature, become the best Pokemon Trainer. Instead, you play as a Pokemon Ranger, whose job is to protect Pokemon, people, and nature in the Oblivia region. Players investigate the horrible Pokemon Pinchers, who have been poaching and selling Pokemon, through several different missions. Rather than the pure adventure feel of the main Pokemon game line, Pokemon Ranger is more of an RPG, revolving around capturing Pokemon and harnessing their power in battle.
At the start, you have the option to play as a male or female ranger, but the storylines are virtually identical regardless of what gender character you choose. You are joined by an irresistibly cute Ukulele-playing Pichu and set out on your missions to battle the Pokemon Pinchers.
The key element of the Pokemon Ranger universe is the "capture styler" feature, which fully utilizes the touch screen and allows players to use of the power of Pokemon to solve puzzles and survive conflicts, and in Guardian Signs, the capture styler allows for drawing "Ranger Signs," which summon previously captured Pokemon. It even powers up as you go through the game. For me, this was the most refreshing take on the traditional Pokemon battle game, plus it's great to see a game utilize the touch screen this thoroughly.
A highlight of the game is the multiplayer capabilities. Up to four players can work together on certain missions using the DS local wireless connection, and even unlock certain areas of Oblivia exclusively in multiplayer.
Pokemon Ranger: Guardian Signs may not have the same appeal as the main line of titles, nor is it anything amazing, but it's just plain fun, and Pokemon fans should enjoy it.
13 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 Fun game Oct 05, 2010
By Hannah
I got this game little while ago (PR) and it's a really great game. If you've ever played an older ranger game, you'll be delighted to see they have kept many old features but have added new ones. The plot is long and a little generic, but fun anyway. The graphics continue to astound me - I've always been a sucker for 3D mixed with 2D. Overall this game is great for Pokemon fans and even people who are newer to the games.
10 of 11 found the following review helpful:
This is the ultimate Pokemon Ranger game around. Nov 17, 2010
By Steven Bonner
Get rid of the other two, this is the only one you need. It's full of awesome gameplay, many many hours will be put into this one. The animations are awesome, really colorful and bright. It's just... fun. If you enjoy video games, Pokemon, or both... then buy this immediately. You will NOT be disappointed.
6 of 7 found the following review helpful:
Easy, but entertaining Oct 19, 2010
By MegMak
This game is very entertaining, but to me it was made way easier than the last Ranger game. But they also added plenty of new features to keep it interesting.
5 of 6 found the following review helpful:
 If you are looking for a ranger game, get Shadows of Almia instead. Feb 18, 2011
By Cassandra C.
"CLC"
I bought Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia after my sister got it, and instantly got completely addicted. The plot was stupendous, and the ranger twist was great.
When I found out a new ranger game was coming out, I was thrilled. I bought it as soon as I got my next Amazon gift card. I started to play as soon as I got it. Most of the new additions were quite fun, for example the primary feature of the game: being able to call back certain Pokemon previously captured. However, there was one feature that I constantly regretted: the change in how Poke assists work. The fact that your only available partner Pokemon was Ukulele Pichu also saddened me.
The game would have met all of my expectations if I had not played Shadows of Almia beforehand. The plot in Guardian Signs is not nearly as intriguing. While Pokemon pinchers offer an exciting opponent, I find the notion of machines controlling Pokemon much more on-the-edge-of-my-seat intense material. Also, there was the fact that you start out as a ranger as opposed to going through ranger school and the trainee process. In this you missed all the fun of exploring the fundamentals of pokemon, rangers, and target clears, and going through the ranger ranks.
The return of Murph was a welcome feature, although he definitely would not be the character of choice to traverse the games. There was one part where Murph attempted a "human target clear" (only shadows of almia fans will appreciate this) and ran at the wall, yelling, "target... CLEAR!!!" After failing, he said, "A ranger I know is really good at that" When he said that, I found myself yelling, "Barlow! Don't say a ranger I know, say Barlow!"
Anyway, if you are the type who skips through all the dialogue, hands down get this product. If you are looking for a more developed plot-line, get Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia.
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