Before I start, I just want to say this is my first review, so I apologize if things are out-of-place or don't make sense.
Graphics: 8
THEY HAVE ANIMATIONS!!! THEY HAVE ANIMATIONS!!! YES!!! I don't know why I got so excited about that, but Nintendo has been ignoring Pokémon animations for a long time up until now, so it feels like you're actually battling creatures instead of flat sprites, although they should add more animations than just at the beginning. Why? Because seeing a Pokémon pulling back it's fist before an attack is awesome, that's why. Take note, Nintendo. And, yeah, I know they had animations in Pokémon Crystal, too, but these look much better (obviously, since this is a next-gen console.). That aside, I must say the Pokémon look beautiful - yes, even their backsides. I've also noticed a few other cool things along the way, for example you can see your reflection in puddles and the ground the Pokémon are standing on changes depending on where you are. However, they should improve a few more things- like making the trees scattered around instead of miraculously growing in perfectly straight rows, so I gave it an 8.
Sound: 7
Although the songs in this game do give it a Pokémon feel, they will never compete with the beautiful sounds of the first Pokémon game I ever played - Pokémon Gold. That aside, they made the music so that if you fly to an area with the same music as the one before, it won't stop abruptly and play the same song over again. Nintendo has still ignored Pokémon voices, which would be great if they added it (excluding a few - I prefer hearing a roar from Dragon types like Charizard), because it would be awesome to hear Pikachu say 'pik-a-chu!'
Story: 7
The story is pretty much the same as any Pokémon game - you're a helpless 10 year old kid, so now it's time to get thrown out into the world of professional animal fighting and gambling. But this time, you're not taking down one global mafia organization - but two. The story is very unrealistic, but hey, who wants that? I gave it a 7 because I guess I'm a sucker for the whole kid-saves-the-world thing.
Addictiveness/Depth: 10
I've beaten this game 5 times, so I think that's enough information about addictiveness right there. This version of Pokémon has way more things to do than the ones before it. Now you have an upgraded concept of the cell phone in the GBC games called the 'Pokénav' (short for Pokémon Navigator), so now your first battle with a trainer isn't your final. The only thing that bugged me about the Pokénav is that you don't have a choice if you want to refer someone or not. I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR POOCHYENA, NOW SHUT UP. Also, they took the idea of the Pokémon Tower and ran away with it, making one of the most time consuming and entertaining games ever. The Pokémon Frontier gives more experienced players the difficulty they can't get from beating the Elite Four. And finally, they added Pokémon contests where you can test your Pokémon in coolness, toughness, smartness, cuteness and beauty. These new additions plus the classic gaming feel is sure to be worth your money (Or Viz, in this case).
Overall, it isn't perfect, but any Pokémon fan would be a fool not to buy this game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Graphics: 8 Sound: 7 Story: 7 Difficulty: 5 Addictiveness: 10 Depth: 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _~Overall: 9.4~_ Before I start, I just want to say this is my first review, so I apologize if things are out-of-place or don't make sense.
Graphics: 8
THEY HAVE ANIMATIONS!!! THEY HAVE ANIMATIONS!!! YES!!! I don't know why I got so excited about that, but Nintendo has been ignoring Pokémon animations for a long time up until now, so it feels like you're actually battling creatures instead of flat sprites, although they should add more animations than just at the beginning. Why? Because seeing a Pokémon pulling back it's fist before an attack is awesome, that's why. Take note, Nintendo. And, yeah, I know they had animations in Pokémon Crystal, too, but these look much better (obviously, since this is a next-gen console.). That aside, I must say the Pokémon look beautiful - yes, even their backsides. I've also noticed a few other cool things along the way, for example you can see your reflection in puddles and the ground the Pokémon are standing on changes depending on where you are. However, they should improve a few more things- like making the trees scattered around instead of miraculously growing in perfectly straight rows, so I gave it an 8.
Sound: 7
Although the songs in this game do give it a Pokémon feel, they will never compete with the beautiful sounds of the first Pokémon game I ever played - Pokémon Gold. That aside, they made the music so that if you fly to an area with the same music as the one before, it won't stop abruptly and play the same song over again. Nintendo has still ignored Pokémon voices, which would be great if they added it (excluding a few - I prefer hearing a roar from Dragon types like Charizard), because it would be awesome to hear Pikachu say 'pik-a-chu!'
Story: 7
The story is pretty much the same as any Pokémon game - you're a helpless 10 year old kid, so now it's time to get thrown out into the world of professional animal fighting and gambling. But this time, you're not taking down one global mafia organization - but two. The story is very unrealistic, but hey, who wants that? I gave it a 7 because I guess I'm a sucker for the whole kid-saves-the-world thing.
Addictiveness/Depth: 10
I've beaten this game 5 times, so I think that's enough information about addictiveness right there. This version of Pokémon has way more things to do than the ones before it. Now you have an upgraded concept of the cell phone in the GBC games called the 'Pokénav' (short for Pokémon Navigator), so now your first battle with a trainer isn't your final. The only thing that bugged me about the Pokénav is that you don't have a choice if you want to refer someone or not. I DON'T CARE ABOUT YOUR POOCHYENA, NOW SHUT UP. Also, they took the idea of the Pokémon Tower and ran away with it, making one of the most time consuming and entertaining games ever. The Pokémon Frontier gives more experienced players the difficulty they can't get from beating the Elite Four. And finally, they added Pokémon contests where you can test your Pokémon in coolness, toughness, smartness, cuteness and beauty. These new additions plus the classic gaming feel is sure to be worth your money (Or Viz, in this case).
Overall, it isn't perfect, but any Pokémon fan would be a fool not to buy this game. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Graphics: 8 Sound: 7 Story: 7 Difficulty: 5 Addictiveness: 10 Depth: 10 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- _~Overall: 9.4~_ |