Namohysip's Nominations

This is in the context of reading episodes 1-7: A slow start akin to the canon Mystery Dungeon games allows for intimate familiarity with the main pair (and eventual trio) of the story. Underlying plot elements float about, but nothing fully solidifies, giving hope to a long and winding story as the plot unfolds.

As someone who has never read the original version of this work, this "enhanced" version, of what's been written so far, has been a treat. There's a looming sense of mystery that is centered around an interesting pair in a setting that is reminiscent of the canon games, yet so, so different. I'm eager to read more.

I see a lot of potential here. It's a play on the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon start, a human becoming a Pokemon in a strange new land. The similarities end there. Chimera… is he even supposed to be a hero? Or is he a nobody? He's actively looking for a way to make a name for himself as a second chance at life. Desperate, even. Will it drive him down a dark path? Will someone guide him down the right one again? I'm honestly not sure, and that's why I'm reading.

I'm nominating this one partly because of the author's reputation making, on a meta level, how this story turns out unpredictable. I won't spoil the ending, but everything about this work screams "proof of concept." What are you planning, Canis? What's going on with this setting and the undertones you have gently hidden throughout? I can't wait to see what else comes out of this setting after reading this one.

SAO meets Pokemon? I mean, sure! But that's not where it ends. Crime Noir setting, set in the far-flung future of talking rodents alongside humans, where Pokemon are just a fantasy in the real world–what happens when everyone's dream finally becomes a reality, Pokemon Open World VR? I hope this continues.

I have never been revolted and fascinated at the same time when reading a work. I only read the first two chapters (though to be honest, I'm curious to read more,) but Canis' writing style in getting into the protagonist's head so intimately is mesmerizing.

I don't like urban settings. Cities are boring and gritty and mundane and I like nothing about living in them. Buildings and concrete, cars and gas and lights and… ugh! It's just so unpleasant to think about. Street gangs and street fights, money and corruption. It's just not fun.

…So why do I enjoy this setting so much?!

I mean, that's literally what this fic is doing. It's expanding the established canon of the first four games and making a fifth one! Sure, it may not be in the same tone as those games, but let's face it, very few Mystery Dungeon fics keep it E10 nowadays. As far as making a "Gen 7 Mystery Dungeon" fic, Amby does it very well.

You really feel for Sal in this fic. You can relate to his companions as well, but at center stage, you're really in Sal's fur during this five-shot story. His resignation and yet his determination add to an interesting mix, and his interaction with the Houndoom adds an interesting layer and foil to the mix.

As the titular duo, Curio and Shine interacting with one another in this new version gives me hints of how the old version used to be. I think I like the new version better. It's a struggle between remembering and not remembering, trying to repair bridges that you only vaguely knew existed. I'm eager to find out more on how they develop together, and how they had developed apart.

This is one of the best worst fics I've ever read. A bunch of friends and I had a read-aloud session and we were in stitches.

Unlike my other nomination into this category, The Rainbow Rocket HQ one-shot made for an interesting narrative, despite the meta premise. The deadpan slapstick humor only spoken of through a disgruntled security admin made for a surprisingly relatable experience. I laughed aloud at least twice.

Ambyssin has an interesting way of mingling known tropes of the Mystery Dungeon franchise and adding a dark spin to them. It all opens with Shane, whose arrival into the Mystery Dungeon world is one that is familiar, yet the means of arrival being much darker. The looming threat takes pages from past installments and twists it around in the same way. From as far as I've read, the plot's barely gotten started, but I know that a lot has yet to come.

I don't read very many non-PMD fics. However, when I do, I find that my favorite ones are the ones where humans take a back seat to the titular creatures of the canon we all love. Nebula's handling of Pokemon and their personalities, instincts, and quirks makes for something that, at times, I forget takes place in the mainline world, complete with humans and cars.

Pletora's an odd one. She's hard, but she's soft. She's indifferent, yet she cares deeply. She's content, yet she's restless. And most importantly, she's independent, yet she's lonely.

Two sides of the same Scolipede, all brought out by an innocent child. Reading her story was a fascinating, yet subtle trip down her psyche. I only wish it was capitalized a bit more.

An incredible amount of content pushed out on a weekly basis filled with plot and shenanigans, usually both at the same time.

I've seen Ambyssin leaving long and details reviews, often pointing out both the parts of the piece that worked, and areas that didn't fit, or concerns, and he doesn't hold back when giving them. Yet at the same time, he isn't tactless about it. He's measured and knows how to critique without making it seem like their perception of the work is worse than it actually is–a skill that many self-proclaimed critics forget. Additionally, his regular dose of snark and humor makes even the small jabs a joy to read.