Not for the die-hard gamers, but Pokemon fans and mystery dungeon fans can rejoice at this twist on the franchise!
I'm not here to explain the gameplay. I'm here to review it. Don't expect an explanation of what dungeons are; read the official reviews for that...
First, the difficulty. I've marked it as just right, not because its just right, but because this game will challenge anybody perfectly. The difficulty level fluctuates from dungeon to dungeon. Some dungeons are depressingly easy (but fittingly so for their position in the plotline,) while others are nearly impossible to beat, bringing even the best players to frustration at times.
But unlike most reviewers here, I don't think this is a bad thing. After the end of the plotline, you can continue to play, to challenge yourself and become better at your own pace. The ranking system accurately represents the difficulties of jobs, once you understand it. If you're a player who wants to play it safe, you can do a whole bunch of level "S" missions, or you could go all-out and take on a star-8 rescue in Zero Island - I wish you luck. So the difficulty, for the most part, is exactly where you want it to be. And if you want it to be lower? Just train a while. It's a very simple but effective way of regulating things. Any gamer, young or old, could play this game.
Now, the dungeons. I've heard it all - boring, repetitive, obvious... The trick with the game is not to dwell on that. This game is what you make it. If you want it to be mediocre, it will appear mediocre. But if you look at each dungeon as a fresh challenge, it gets more interesting. Sure, it's easy to locate the stairs and move to the next level quickly. And yes. That is boring. But what if you give yourself a goal? Try to find every single item on the map before you continue on. Suddenly the difficulty multiplies, and things are more interesting. Just playing through is okay, but you can have a blast and play for hours on end if you play the perfectionist way.
The plot! Oh, the wonderful plot. First, I didn't expect much, of course. This IS a Pokemon game, and it's more about strategy than plot. But! Time and Darkness took me by surprise. Try playing the previous versions, Red and Blue rescue team, and you will without a doubt see what I mean, but you probably will without even playing its predecessors.
The plot takes a new twist in the game. In the previous game it was a calamity approaching, and action needed to be taken before the world was destroyed. Been there, done that... But this game takes a different approach. In this game, your human life actually had a purpose. There is a genuine reason for your change into a Pokemon. There are unforeseen allies, there are betrayals, there are places you never thought the game would dare go. Playing through with no knowledge of what is to come, many twists will surprise you. Some won't. But it's enough to satisfy. The characters have personalities that will send you every which way. You might even be looking forward to whatever happens next!
The only complaint in the plot? You can't evolve your starter Pokemon or your partner until the end of the second, almost unnecessary portion of the plot. By then, you're about level sixty or so. Yeesh. Thank goodness Electivire lets you remember old moves for free, or I'd shudder at the lost opportunities.
Gameplay? Not much to say. It's Pokemon, in the mystery dungeon format. It takes some time to get used to, but it is just as strategic as any normal Pokemon game. The only exception is EVs - there are none, sadly. Still, the items are interesting. There are many different strategies to consider as you work your way through the dungeons. Have fun!
The graphics are the graphics. 2D, unimpressive, but satisfying enough, and they get the point across. I can tell a Charmander from a Charmeleon, and they're pretty good-looking sprites, too.
I think I've covered just about anything. I give this game a solid 9.0 for doing exactly what it wanted to and for making itself a game that anybody could play, if they give it a chance. Try it, and be patient. You might end up with a new favorite game, if you play it with an open mind.