Pokémon Ranger's gameplay is much different from other Pokémon games. Specifically made to support the Nintendo DS's release it focuses much more on the use of the touch screen and the stylus. The game is based around drawing loops with your stylus around Pokémon to capture them. Once captured, Pokémon will follow you around and can be used to help clearing obstacles or completing objectives. Different areas contain different Pokémon to find.
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By touching the top left of the screen that says 4/4 (your Styler's health) or by pressing the Start button, you can access the Styler's menu. Here you can see a few different things:
On the top screen you can see a bunch of information, such as your Ranger ID, your Name, your Status, your Styler level along with how much experience you need to level up, your line length and, last but not least, your Ranger Rank, represented by the diamonds at the bottom of the top screen.
On the bottom screen, there are a few different buttons you can press:
- Mission: Tapping this button will show you details of your current mission on the top screen;
- Map: This will show you a map of the region of Fiore;
- Options: This will allow you to change text speed and the style of the windows;
- Release: This allows you to release any Pokémon you have captured;
- Glossary: Allows you to see definitions for a bunch of different things allowing you to better understand the game;
- Browser: Allows you to see the Pokémon Browser, so you can check what Pokémon you've seen and captured.
Map[edit]
Your top screen shows a map of the region you are currently in. This map includes details like Pokémon locations as well as Save Machine locations and places that allow you to exit the area you're in. It also shows you what Pokémon are currently with you.