Pokémon Shuffle (Nintendo 3DS)
User Review
Product Information:
- Release Date (NA): February 18, 2015
- Release Date (EU): February 18, 2015
- Release Date (JP): February 18, 2015
- Publisher: Nintendo
- Developer: Genius Sonority
- Genres: Puzzle,Free to Play
Game Features:
Single player
Local Multiplayer
Online Multiplayer
Co-operative
Review Approach:
Just tried to write a review of my experiences with the game.
Review of the game and if the DLC is worth it.
Unless you live under a rock, then you probably have noticed that there is a growing trend of games with micro transactions/DLC from apps on your phone to AAA games like Evolve.
Also Nintendo has slowly been evolving to where they see DLC as a valuable way to get money and along comes Pokemon Shuffle. If you don't know shuffle is a Free to Play game that allows you to purchase in game items with real money(I'll get into it later). It should be noted that I'm playing the game for free while not spending any money.
The game is a relatively simple puzzle game in which you have to complete puzzles by matching 3 of a kind Pokemon in a certain amount of moves in order for the chance to capture a Pokemon who is the reward of said puzzle. As you move on the puzzles become more difficult and the amount of moves allowed lower. You are guided by Amelia. You capture Pokémon and use them for Support. Each Pokémon has a different ability that is activated when it is matched in a battle. Pokémon have a set capture rate that is added to depending on how many moves a player has left at the end of a battle. Pokemon can be moved anywhere on the board, but cannot be moved if it does not cause a match. The gameplay is quite fun, even if it is on the simple side.
The way I'd describe the game is a mix of Candy Crush and the Pokemon Puzzle games. However the one issue is like Candy Crush it also has multiple in game currencies including Hearts. You see whenever you attempt a battle you lose one heart no matter the outcome and then it will take 30 minutes to replenish. Now that may not sound that bad but considering you only can have 5 hearts and that most of the early stages are very short makes it unbearable.
Note I said try to capture it as even when I played pretty well in the game I could only get certain Pokemon to a 45 capture rate. Now this means if I want the Pokemon I'll have to use more hearts to try again and then will eventually have to wait the ridiculous 30 minutes. However I could spend 2500 coins for a great ball and capture it automatically BUT I'd have to spend $1 to buy a 3000 coin pack to get the great ball!!!!
Now you may be asking if spending the money is worth it and my answer to that is no. While the game is relatively fun when you get to play, it is not worth the money considering that you could get some fun games on the 3ds for under 5 dollars (2 bucks for Gunman Clive is a lot better than a buck for a great ball) and if you want a Pokemon puzzler on the go you could just get Pokémon Battle Trozei for 8 bucks or Pokemon Puzzle Challenge for 5 bucks are both much better deals.
Also Nintendo has slowly been evolving to where they see DLC as a valuable way to get money and along comes Pokemon Shuffle. If you don't know shuffle is a Free to Play game that allows you to purchase in game items with real money(I'll get into it later). It should be noted that I'm playing the game for free while not spending any money.
The game is a relatively simple puzzle game in which you have to complete puzzles by matching 3 of a kind Pokemon in a certain amount of moves in order for the chance to capture a Pokemon who is the reward of said puzzle. As you move on the puzzles become more difficult and the amount of moves allowed lower. You are guided by Amelia. You capture Pokémon and use them for Support. Each Pokémon has a different ability that is activated when it is matched in a battle. Pokémon have a set capture rate that is added to depending on how many moves a player has left at the end of a battle. Pokemon can be moved anywhere on the board, but cannot be moved if it does not cause a match. The gameplay is quite fun, even if it is on the simple side.
The way I'd describe the game is a mix of Candy Crush and the Pokemon Puzzle games. However the one issue is like Candy Crush it also has multiple in game currencies including Hearts. You see whenever you attempt a battle you lose one heart no matter the outcome and then it will take 30 minutes to replenish. Now that may not sound that bad but considering you only can have 5 hearts and that most of the early stages are very short makes it unbearable.
Note I said try to capture it as even when I played pretty well in the game I could only get certain Pokemon to a 45 capture rate. Now this means if I want the Pokemon I'll have to use more hearts to try again and then will eventually have to wait the ridiculous 30 minutes. However I could spend 2500 coins for a great ball and capture it automatically BUT I'd have to spend $1 to buy a 3000 coin pack to get the great ball!!!!
Now you may be asking if spending the money is worth it and my answer to that is no. While the game is relatively fun when you get to play, it is not worth the money considering that you could get some fun games on the 3ds for under 5 dollars (2 bucks for Gunman Clive is a lot better than a buck for a great ball) and if you want a Pokemon puzzler on the go you could just get Pokémon Battle Trozei for 8 bucks or Pokemon Puzzle Challenge for 5 bucks are both much better deals.
Verdict
What I Liked ...
- Game is "Free"
- Simple gameplay makes it easier for people who are new to the genre or want to relax
- Gameplay is also fun despite how simple it is
What I Didn't Like ...
- The game has way to many pay to play moments
- The 30 minute wait period to play happens to often and is too long
- The DLC is overpriced compared to what else is in the E shop for the money
7
Gameplay
Simple puzzle game style is fun, however its simplicity may hurt the game play's appeal many who seek a puzzle game that makes them think.
7
Presentation
The touch screen works well for working on the puzzles and the 2d graphics are sharp even if nothing really stands out to you.
1
Lasting Appeal
The game forces you to buy DLC at high price and the fact that your hearts take half an hour to regenerate kill the lasting appeal this title will have.
4
out of 10
