E3 2008: First details on Pokemon Ranger: Shadows of Almia DS

Nintendo announced its latest Pokémon game earlier today and while we were quick to tell you about it, we didn't actually know any details.

Well, sit yourselves down and get comfortable because now we do.

The Ranger bit should be familiar by now - you get to protect nature, rescue people and help Pokémon in need. That sometimes means putting them out of their misery.

That last bit's not true, actually.

Anyway, the plot. You start off as a Student Ranger who's just turned up in the new area of Almia and your aim is to become Top Ranger. You do this through the completion of missions.

Like the rest of the Ranger series Shadows of Almia is an action-adventure that features a different way to catch Pokémon using the stylus - you circle the one you want to catch on the touchscreen.

When you complete certain quests you get rewarded with power-ups which add new upgrades and functions to your Capture Styler, getting you closer to becoming a Top Ranger. Only then can you shoot Pokémon.

Again, that's a lie.

Your journey to reach that elevated position takes you to Almia. This is a larger gameworld, with more missions and things to do than the previous Ranger title. You get explore areas such as oceans, forests, deserts and others with your Partner Pokémon.

Ah yes, I ought to mention you can partner up with a variety of different Pokémon of each type to complete missions, which effectively gives you numerous ways to approach the various challenges you face on your journey. So expect to be fighting wildfires, rescuing those in trouble and delivering an important package. (That'll be the spiky Poketrap. Sorry.)

Lastly, for now, is the revelation that this is the first in the Ranger series to feature Pokémon from the Diamond and Pearl games.

When we know more, so will you. It's the kind of game that's hardly going to rock the Pokeboat, let's be honest, but if something relevant and interesting turns up you'll find it here.