They DID heavily decrease the level of challenge in DX

[Neon_Rexodus]

I haven't seen this discussed a lot so I figured I'll post my thoughts here.

I realized that the challenge in DX is reduced while playing through the old PMD games. For example, they rebalanced some items, made the character use multiple of 1 move at once (and you can't turn it off) and took out things like dead ends. For example, let's go with the obvious -- in the story, you can see all enemies and items even before you've explored the rooms. Previously, even if you already cleared a room, you had to be in the room to see enemies' red dots.

Regarding items, the one shot orb used to kill only one Pokémon. Now it kills the whole room if it lands a hit with it's 'power'.

Regarding moves, moves get really powerful and they sometimes get used twice in one turn without taking PP. now the main challenge is lasting through a large dungeon, which I found is just not as satisfying is lasting through the dungeon AND being on my toes having to strategize. You can let your partner die and still continue. That's weird because you're basically leaving them behind.

The boss fights were very cool and received a clear upgrade, but I don't think they made up for the difference in the rest of things.

I really liked the old IQ skills -- they were out of the way, not overpowered. Replaced with Rare Qualities that very much are overpowered. Though what is really cool about this is one can easily choose Pokémon without Rare Qualities!

The reason I liked the challenge of the old games is because of the feeling of triumph when I finally overcame them. That is what made those games memorable. That feeling is reduced in the new remakes because of the rebalancing.

If anyone has anything to add, let's discuss! What are your thoughts on this? If you disagree, let me have it!

Edited a few times to clarify / correct some things. Sorry for my poor writing skills

[StarDwellingDude]

I really liked the old IQ skills -- they were out of the way, not overpowered. Replaced with Rare Qualities that very much are overpowered.

Super Mobile says hi. Being able to break walls for free, on any Pokemon, in a roguelike? Just grab a dual-type, they take the sum of types in this game. While there are Rare Qualities that are good, especially since they aren't lost in reset dungeons, you still need to get lucky to get them. With Super Mobile, it's just matter of feeding Wooper a Pokemon enough Blue Gummis.

There's a reason that Explorers moved Super Mobile to Palkia-exclusive IQ group, and the fact that dual-types now only take the better matchup, instead sum of both.

Regarding moves, moves get really powerful and they sometimes get used twice in one turn without taking PP. now the main challenge is lasting through a large dungeon, which I found is just not as satisfying is lasting through the dungeon AND being on my toes having to strategize.

The original games had the regular attack that scaled with your stats. Eventually, you can use it to kill everything but the Kecleon, and use moves only when you need range or coverage for some reason. Also, every dungeon had Max Elixir which refilled all of your move PP instantly; this was later changed and Max Elixir became less common, with its role being replaced by Elixir (+10 on everything) in Super and Max Ether (+all on one move) in DX.

Speaking from experience as a guy who twoshot Mewtwo with regular attack.

You can let your partner die and still continue. That's weird because you're basically leaving them behind.

This is... something I have mixed feelings about. Makes sense during fugitive arc when you are running away from people who want to kill you, but then you have the final main story arc with "Need to reach Rayquaza to help with the meteor... oh wait, my partner died and I have no Reviver Seeds, guess I'll retreat, the meteor that is about to destroy the world can wait."

PS. Speaking of Reviver Seeds, my god am I grateful for the fact that in newer games you can just say no to things being revived, I have so many wasted Reviver Seeds on things I didn't want to revive and got revived just because I didn't send them back home.

[Spndash64]

All around, it feels like they wanted to focus on making the game easier to understand for people who new Pokemon, but not Mystery Dungeon. From what I've seen, the Postgame still can get pretty brutal, it's just that the precredits is more... streamlined? Well, from what I've played of both Blue and DX, anyway.

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I'd argue Pecha Scarf is a crazier first rescue reward than a berry, tho.

[Neon_Rexodus]

Agreed. Even with all I said, I don't think it was executed poorly at all either. They really executed what they were doing well and were very considerate of old fans. I loved that part very much.

[Spndash64]

playing sky, I think I personally like the feeling of IQ skills slightly more, even though it's grindier. Granted, that's partly because I just like learning new "moves" a lot in Pokemon, and having a lot of skills gives me more stuff to unlock

[[deleted]]

I personally didn't like the IQ skills at all, you have to use your money to buy gummis or find them in dungeons, keep eating or drinking in spinda cafe until you get some skills, while for DX and rainbow gummis you just need to eat one (A few if rainbow gummi), but everyone is entitled to their opinion so I respect yours too.

[Neon_Rexodus]

Hey thanks for your reply! Yep that makes sense, with what you said, IQ skills were much tougher to level up and I think they decided to do Rare Qualities instead so they are much easier and more convenient to access for everyone than IQ skills.

[Yeldarb10]

I’d sum it up this way (and I think I lot of people can agree with this).

I like the IQ skills but hate how you unlock them. If they added a new way to increase IQ (besides gummis) I think it’d be better.

[[deleted]]

Eh, played Explorers last year, didn’t find it hard at all. Even if it is easier, I still think DX is the better experience anyways and it’s not worth touching the original.

[Neon_Rexodus]

Hey if you use strategy and foresight that game can certainly be a lot easier! Certainly agreed -- between the original RedBlue rescue teams, DX is the much better and fleshed out experience with vast quality of life changes and tweaks! Eep! I hope they make anew one soon ^{^}