It's hard to really determine what I actually like about Pokemon Masters EX mainly because the game as changed so much and yet not at all through out the course of it's lifetime. Despite this though, I can't help, but think the way the game actually operates now is by making you not wanting to actually play the game.
Maybe auto battling was always apart of the game or maybe it just wasn't as good or my team wasn't as good, but at a certain point, Pokemon Masters EX stops being a real time strategy type game, and more like a simulator for all your fancy new gacha gains. I really don't say this lightly nor do I say it as a way to diss the game. I think that both the way it uses active turn based battling is one of the best ways it was ever been implemented; while at the same time this game incorporates and demands so much of you that it's hard to not opt-in for usage like skip tickets or simply auto battling at higher speeds to get done with the content you are playing while doing something else. It's not like the gameplay is particularly bad either as a lot of it is simply standard JRPG buffing/debuffing and attacking opponents in a more stressed and time matter. The limited amount of moves makes menu-ing a far easier task compared to Final Fantasy's system, and it works in a regenerative mp like system that makes burst of attacking manage able while optimizing your attacks. In essence, it's a battle system that keeps you engaged while not overwhelming as long as you pay attention.
That being said Pokemon Masters EX is kinda shameless with it constantly needing you to power up your characters before a fight even starts, and even being at the right level can mean nothing if you don't also take advantage of other systems of power it uses like it's sync grinds (these act as skill trees) and move levels (a prestige like system). This all effectively means that either you are in for a long grind to get usable teams, or the option the devs want, buying currency to spend in their game. While I can't say much about my luck as either good or bad compared to others, I will say that getting a gacha character you want here, really isn't that bad. I've gotten plenty that I wanted to get, and some that I just got through it's free pulls. The main problem with the gacha isn't obtaining trainers you want, the problem comes with it's move level system. While the game does a good job to give you plenty ways to power up your characters through some grinding methods, overall most characters don't start becoming good till their 3rd move level, and that makes it rather frustrating when you have nearly hundreds of trainers that are competing for those types of power ups. Add that together with a bunch of new games and designs coming out, multiple different types to take advantage of in battle, and the various geared styled of move sets can make the biggest grind of them all being the gacha system. It really isn't like Fate Grand Order or Fire Emblem where a single character can carry you, you need multi-characters able to do that with various types that can be your ace in their better match ups, then if you are really dedicated, have all their bonuses match up for even greater power boost. Ultimately, what a lot of this game comes out to is how stacked is your whole gallery of characters over actual strategy options.
Pokemon Masters EX does have a lot more to offer than just it's battle system and fancy character designs tho. I can't express enough how this game just kinda gives us some of the most compelling writing for various pokemon characters out there that even some of it's games just don't touch. The main story is surprisingly endearing, and gives insight for the new characters introduced, as well as a spot light for some older characters to boot. It's honestly a bit jarring because you either get a whole lot of development for a character or none at all, and pending on who you like, that coin flip could be a bad result for you. Still there is absolutely one thing that anyone can enjoy from this game, and that's the soundtrack. The sheer amount of remixes, new, and old songs is just amazing. I really can't explain just how good this games soundtrack is, and if there is anything I'm grateful for this game for, it's that.
With all that being said, Pokemon Masters EX is honestly kinda average. The main attraction of having all the pokemon characters together is neat. It has led to a lot of interesting interactions and designs, but it's really hard to justify anyone getting into it that just doesn't have a bunch of time to waste.
Maybe auto battling was always apart of the game or maybe it just wasn't as good or my team wasn't as good, but at a certain point, Pokemon Masters EX stops being a real time strategy type game, and more like a simulator for all your fancy new gacha gains. I really don't say this lightly nor do I say it as a way to diss the game. I think that both the way it uses active turn based battling is one of the best ways it was ever been implemented; while at the same time this game incorporates and demands so much of you that it's hard to not opt-in for usage like skip tickets or simply auto battling at higher speeds to get done with the content you are playing while doing something else. It's not like the gameplay is particularly bad either as a lot of it is simply standard JRPG buffing/debuffing and attacking opponents in a more stressed and time matter. The limited amount of moves makes menu-ing a far easier task compared to Final Fantasy's system, and it works in a regenerative mp like system that makes burst of attacking manage able while optimizing your attacks. In essence, it's a battle system that keeps you engaged while not overwhelming as long as you pay attention.
That being said Pokemon Masters EX is kinda shameless with it constantly needing you to power up your characters before a fight even starts, and even being at the right level can mean nothing if you don't also take advantage of other systems of power it uses like it's sync grinds (these act as skill trees) and move levels (a prestige like system). This all effectively means that either you are in for a long grind to get usable teams, or the option the devs want, buying currency to spend in their game. While I can't say much about my luck as either good or bad compared to others, I will say that getting a gacha character you want here, really isn't that bad. I've gotten plenty that I wanted to get, and some that I just got through it's free pulls. The main problem with the gacha isn't obtaining trainers you want, the problem comes with it's move level system. While the game does a good job to give you plenty ways to power up your characters through some grinding methods, overall most characters don't start becoming good till their 3rd move level, and that makes it rather frustrating when you have nearly hundreds of trainers that are competing for those types of power ups. Add that together with a bunch of new games and designs coming out, multiple different types to take advantage of in battle, and the various geared styled of move sets can make the biggest grind of them all being the gacha system. It really isn't like Fate Grand Order or Fire Emblem where a single character can carry you, you need multi-characters able to do that with various types that can be your ace in their better match ups, then if you are really dedicated, have all their bonuses match up for even greater power boost. Ultimately, what a lot of this game comes out to is how stacked is your whole gallery of characters over actual strategy options.
Pokemon Masters EX does have a lot more to offer than just it's battle system and fancy character designs tho. I can't express enough how this game just kinda gives us some of the most compelling writing for various pokemon characters out there that even some of it's games just don't touch. The main story is surprisingly endearing, and gives insight for the new characters introduced, as well as a spot light for some older characters to boot. It's honestly a bit jarring because you either get a whole lot of development for a character or none at all, and pending on who you like, that coin flip could be a bad result for you. Still there is absolutely one thing that anyone can enjoy from this game, and that's the soundtrack. The sheer amount of remixes, new, and old songs is just amazing. I really can't explain just how good this games soundtrack is, and if there is anything I'm grateful for this game for, it's that.
With all that being said, Pokemon Masters EX is honestly kinda average. The main attraction of having all the pokemon characters together is neat. It has led to a lot of interesting interactions and designs, but it's really hard to justify anyone getting into it that just doesn't have a bunch of time to waste.