Have you ever had that urge to just draw a bunch of circles and be part of an organization similar to PETA, well Pokémon Rangers: Guardian Signs is the game for you. In Guardian Signs you play as a ranger who's sole goal is to protect wild Pokémon from dangers such as poaching or enraged Pokémon. You are also accompanied by a Pichu with it's own ukulele which makes for an adorable companion as well as helpful in combat as it calms other Pokémon with it's music.
Guardian Signs separates itself from most Pokémon games as it removes the battle system and applies a new method of combat which may prove itself to be repetitive. The combat usually involves a Pokémon (or group of) running around the screen shooting out attacks, you are tasked with drawing a complete circle around the Pokémon in order to catch them. Although you must avoiding getting hit by the attacks as you draw them, this formula is repeated throughout the game. However, you are also able to place your own Pokémon onto the screen to help you with your capture which may prove useful in some cases. Capturing Pokémon also serves as a way to progress the story and explore new locations due to the fact that every Pokémon adds in an ability that'll help you overcome certain obstacles. Although a majority of the "combat" involved drawing circles I still managed to have some with it, although I do recommend using a stylus due to the fact that drawing circles with your fingers may be annoying at times.
Guardian Signs does a great job with it's upbeat soundtrack, as well as it's dialogue which can be fairly goofy at times. Sure the combat is repetitive I didn't really feel like it took anything away from the game, and still oddly gives a sense of progression as you go further into the game. Playing Guardian Signs when I was younger was always a blast for me and also sparked my love for Pokémon games, however, I'm going to have to give it 7/10 Staryus.
-Nolan
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