Lets start by saying if you come in here to critique the actual review (guaranteed 3+ of you will comment saying something about oh I liked how you did this or you should've added more detail here) and not the game, I will throat punch you. PLAY THE GAME FIRST.Moving on pyrite is a very intricate hack of the GSC era. The move pools of the Pokémon is not altered however the levels they learn moves at is to be more practical and realistic. The evolutionary levels are changed too. Most Pokémon evolve through level up like kadabra. This is phenomenal of course.
The main difficulty hack here is a forced set battle style. Also no items from the pack in battle (opponents will abide by this law as well). Now before you go cry that you cant use 99999 hyper potions to win any match just realize that your ridiculous and no items in battle makes a much more tactical and challenging game. Makes it like a legit competition you'd play online, except with a story mode. Also instead of disobeying you Pokémon are capped at a certain level based on your gym badges which provides a focus on team building rather than power leveling your starter to lvl 99 and destroying everything with one attack over and over and over. Honestly I only hit the cap a few times its nothing to worry about it continues into the kanto region too. Finally gyms are actually a challenge because you cant leave when you enter unless you win or white-out! So stock up on items before hand. (money loss formula for losing is reworked obviously).
There's plenty of map, trainer, and mart tweaks as well. Otherwise it'll unfold similar to a gsc version. Somethings like the move tutor is severely changed. He charges 1000 coins and will teach a Pokémon any compatible move. However you don't pick what move he offers to teach it, the game does through a complex formula. If you don't want it, check back another time and hell have something new for you.
Graphics and Sound need no explanation nothing different there.
Depth - the game is more in depth than gsc in some areas a little less in others. Theres more trainers and events so overall id say its a little longer content wise than gsc
Story - somewhat different from gsc. You explore kanto in the order that you would if you were playing RBY, more events which is nice.
addictiveness - if youre a seasoned player looking to revist GSC youll love it. Its pretty well done and has a lot of changes in AI and Pokémon that makes the game more dynamic/playable
difficulty - ayyy LMAO. The beginning is hard, the middle you can hit a stride and get through without too much bumps. The E4 can be challenging if your team as a whole is lacking in some coverage. Once you reach kanto some gyms will challenge you depending on your team combination. From the 6th kanto gym leader on expect to be in hot water. There Pokémon will be fitted with items like leftovers and use combinations on you like toxic,rest,mint berry etc. Can certainly get difficult. after collecting all 8 badges the rest of kanto is suppose to be difficult but youll be close to maxed so ill let you decide that on your own.
Its fun playing pyrite over all though
WORDS OF WARNINGDo not lose to blaine, you will be unable to rematch him/collect his badge thus ending your quest shortlyDo not enter the gym in viridian city until you know the gym leader is in there (hes the last so youll beat blaine first right!? see above warning )Create a save in the game manually right before challenging the e4, you should do this in every Pokémon game anywaysbe careful with your save states (duhhh) f2 = save f4 = load
Alright now you know! Stop rating this classic so low and give a new challenge a chance!