Vgame rates this game: 5/5Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is the second game to allow the capture of another person's Pokemon (referred to as "Snagging" in this games series.) In a quest to do what is right. These Pokemon however have been mistreated and had their hearts shut, creating an invisible dark aura and allowing them to unlock latent and unruly hidden powers from within.
Your goal as the protagonist of this game is to capture these Pokemon and purify their hearts with your love and determination! You start off the game with a single Pokemon, an Eevee, which later you can evolve into any of the first three evolution's from generation 1, and the 2 additional evolution's that were introduced in generation 2. With your partner Eevee, and your sister Jovi you will hunt down the evil syndicate and give the poor Pokemon that they've neglected a proper home and a brighter future.
This game, as did the predecessor focuses on the double battle system, in which you have two Pokemon out at once on each side of the field, making things difficult for your side of things, sometimes facing situations in which you have to capture the Shadow Pokemon quickly otherwise the enemy will end up killing their own Pokemon in an act of sheer savagery trying to win against you, or using moves like surf accidentally taking down the shadow Pokemon in the process of taking down the other opposing Pokemon. The game itself is straightforward and you won't find yourself getting lost or not knowing where to go for it has great direction and knows just how to direct you around the many beautiful landscapes.
This game allows you to snag 84 Pokemon away from their cruel trainers, including 4 of the 5 legendary birds. Featured in this game unlike Colosseum is a wild bait system in which you can set out a cake like substance made for Pokemon to lure them into an area for capture. While there's a very small amount it's still a fun mechanic that I hope is expanded on in later games.
Overall the game play is as any Pokemon game- fairly simple and easy to grasp. Someone that has never heard of Pokemon before can jump in and get started with a good handful of Pokemon to collect and train, the new system to purify Pokemon is a fun change as well, allowing you to put unused Pokemon to use in a circular like chamber in which they dance and sing to a lone shadow Pokemon in the middle. Making purification faster and more streamlined, allowing you to enjoy the other features of the game even more. All the characters make you smile and have their own quirky natures and views on things. I believe Pokemon XD is one of the better Pokemon games in general, not shoving too much down your throat at once like some games while not holding your hand and allowing you to pick and choose paths for yourself. It's refreshing and makes things feel a bit more open, which is what a 3D version of Pokemon should do and this accomplishes that.
5/5 from me for good music, fun game play, an interesting plot and a satisfying ending.
Loreli rates this game: 5/5A fun and well though out game, in my opinion. The plot moves along well and the game has an easy concept to understand.
aerodynamic.xx rates this game: 5/5It's a really good game on the GC system or the emulator. It is like a full version of the DS Pokemons but it's better as you can steal Pokemon!
Rodrioftheshadows rates this game: 4/5Pokemon XD: Gale of Darkness is a game where you play as a (probably) ten year old child and go through the world of Pokemon. A game that is very similar to the main games but with a few twists. Here are some:
1. No routes! In this game, you just go from place to place on a motor bike.
2. It's 3D! (Battles and overworld) I don't think this needs to be explained.
3. A follower system! For those of you who have played Colosseum (This game's prequel) and hate the follower's AI, don't worry. This gimmick really isn't used much.
4. Puzzles! Like the main games, there are some puzzles. But unlike the main games; No HMs!
5. A unique story! The story formula in the main games can get pretty boring. So here we have XD: GoD (And Colosseum) to mix things up!
And that's it. That's all I can tell you without spoiling anything. The rest you have to find for yourself.
Enjoy the game!
Pontinho rates this game: 4/5Pokémon XD is an RPG game for the Gamecube that is a follow-up to the previous Gamecube Game, Pokémon Colosseum. In this game you play as a trainer who has to protect the lab from Cipher. Once this is done he is drawn into a huge conflict involving Cipher & Shadow Pokémon across the world.
It has a long RPG mode that has almost 100 Pokémon obtainable in aswell as many new features and allowing for old Pokémon to learn new attacks. Graphics on the game have improved quite a bit from Colosseum, being sharper and the attacks have been totally redone. Unlike in Colosseum you are able to capture some Wild Pokémon in it. You're also capable of seeing 2 of the new 4th Generation Pokémon!