Pokémon Identity is a hack of Pokémon FireRed. The developer, VGAura of the PokéCommunity, released the first demo of the hack in January 2010. This review will cover what the (beta) hack is about and its changes from FireRed. Nearing 2011, VGAura was supposed to release the second demo of the hack; however, certain hack-related problems encumbered the process. This resulted in an announcement stating that the second demo could not be released on the promised date of January 2011. VGAura also mentioned that if the hack could not be completed, then a novel will be presented through a writing forum or a fan fiction site to reveal the entire story; that announcement was made in March 2011. Unfortunately, it is now 2013 and I could not find any updates regarding Pokémon Identity nor could I find the novel version.


Gameplay

The battle system of this hack isn’t any different from the main Pokémon series. It still features one-on-one battles with trainer’s Pokémon. They must use moves in order to deplete the opponent’s health points, decrease the opponent’s stats, or inflict status alignments. The battle is done in a turn-based RPG style system.

This hack provides different starter Pokémon than the FireRed game. The starters are: Machop, Ralts, and Seedot. While technically their stats would highly differ from one another, the creator modified their base stats and moves in order to match regular starter Pokémon. This would make battling beginning trainers and wild Pokémon easier.

I would like to mention again that this game is very focused on the storyline and character developments. So to get the most out of the game, talking to everyone is necessary. However, the implementation of dialog selection has not been added in this demo, aside from the occasional ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ options.

[Breakdown]
-Regular RPG turn-based battle gameplay.
-Different starters with changes on stats and moves.
-Reading the dialog is the whole basis of the game.
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Graphics - 8

The graphics are basically the same as FireRed, with some new added character sprites from the Ruby and Sapphire games. The designs of interior and exterior buildings and areas have been altered to VGAura’s liking. The character sprites seem to be put out of their original roles from the FireRed game and into the roles that are assigned to them for the sake of the story. I believe that there are supposed to be some customized sprites, but this demo sadly doesn’t include them.

[Breakdown]
-Same graphics with added sprites from R/S versions.
-Changed interior and exteriors along with customized maps.
-Character sprites given different roles from the original game.
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Sound - 7

There are no changes in music of this hack. They are practically the same as the FireRed game. However, the eerie themes of the original game will be most often used in this hack. This is (in my opinion) to introduce the mysteriousness of the story. I’m a bit ashamed that there isn’t much more to be said on this portion, but since this is only a first demo, it is excusable.

[Breakdown]
-No changes in terms of music.
-Bizarre themes of the original game will be played often for the story.
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Addictiveness - 8

The addictiveness of the game depends on the type of gamer that is playing the game. Someone who loves story rather than actual gameplay will find this hack hard to put down until they reach the end of the demo. I can guarantee that story-lovers will be eager for the next release of the demo. A puzzle solver might find it amusing, but the demo only includes mazes for now. A strategist might not find this fun to play at all. The game is too easy for the common tactician. Since the dialog differs for each gender, people who love the hack will end up wanting to play both male and female main characters to see what kind of changes there are between the two.

[Breakdown]
-Recommended for lovers of stories.
-Might be enjoyable for puzzle solvers.
-Too easy for strategists.
-People who love the game might play both genders for the dialogs.
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Story - 9

In the beginning of the game, a diary entry is presented that states the Pokémon League is going to be held in a place called Aura Town. It also says that it is the Pokémon League’s 100th anniversary that year. After a brief description of the town, the diary entry is suddenly cut off. It will be evident that the starting dialog where players input information has changed. After several cut-scenes had passed, the player will gain control of the main character (we will call him/her ID for now).

ID is awaken in a humungous bed inside a laboratory and will notice that something feels different. ID’s body parts, while not physically different in appearance, became mechanical! A mysterious girl will urge ID to take a Pokémon in the laboratory when a few cut-scenes had passed. The adventure begins after exiting the lab.

Pokémon Identity has several puns and references along with some pessimistic humor. The main goal of the game is to figure out what happened when before the diary was cut off, and why things turned out the way it had. Although I’ve mentioned that there are jokes and gags in the game, there are dark reflections of humanity as well; most notably in ‘The Sewers’.

Since this is only a demo, the story isn’t complete. In fact, the demo will leave the players in a major cliffhanger that will make it impossible to not want more. After the end of the demo, VGAura’s character sprite will talk to the players a bit, and then send them to play in the extra map if they wish. The map currently has no new scripts, but players will be able to battle with Team Rocket in the Celadon Game Corner just like in FireRed.

[Breakdown]
-Puns, references, and pessimistic humor.
-Much darker than the original Pokémon games.
-Extra map added for gameplay, but not story.
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Depth - 5

Being a story driven game, the depth is huge! Especially at the end of the demo; players will be eager to find out what will happen next. There are so many unanswered questions in this hack that many fans will look forward to the answers on the next release.

But what I’ve explained is the potential depth of this game. Right now, it currently doesn’t have much to offer. Pretty much just an introduction story with a cliffhanger, and an extra bonus gameplay to keep the players occupied.

[Breakdown]
-Hack has huge potential if ever finished.
-Not much is offered in this demo.
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Difficulty - 3

In terms of Pokémon battles, the game is way too easy. The starter Pokémon have modified base stats and movepools to match regular starters of the original Pokémon games. Additionally, the beginning trainer battles and wild Pokémon are all lower level than the chosen starter. Their levels don’t increase dramatically like several other hacks have made them. This makes battles unchallenging for the players, but don’t take them too lightly. It would be bad to lose and end up glitching somewhere in the game.

However, there are a few mazes in the game that might confuse the player. They’re not all too hard, but they can be very annoying. Also, the side quests in the demo are very expensive. Since the beginning trainers give a low amount of reward money, it is advisable to not spend too much of it.

[Breakdown]
-Easy battles, but don’t underestimate too much.
-Sometimes confusing mazes.
-Expensive side quests.
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Overall - 8.9

Pokémon Identity is practically the seedling of a potentially great hack. But until it gets watered down with updates, it will only remain as a seedling. Because it is still a demo, the game has several glitches that need to be fixed. There is also about 2 hours (or less) worth of gameplay in the demo, so it can be easily completed in one sitting. It definitely is worth a try for the avid story reader; this is one of the absolute features to look forward to. The game is very easy compared to many Pokémon hacks because it doesn’t over level wild and trainer’s Pokémon. While the sound and graphics unchanged, they have been moved around for the creator’s liking to enhance the mysterious themes of the introduction. Overall, I recommend this to anyone who has time to spare. It won’t take up much and it may be entertaining for those who try it out. Just don’t get your hopes up for updates, at least for now.

[Summary]
-Some glitches can be found, usually not noticeable.
-Can be completed in 2 hours or less.
-Play for story, as it is an excellent aspect of the hack.
-Very easy; doesn’t offer much challenge.
-FireRed graphics and sounds shifted to enhance story.
-Recommended for anyone who loves story or has time to spare.
-Will probably stay a demo until an update is made.

Good job on the research. This review is very well thought out and descriptive.  Isn't it sad when you find a hack that had so much potential but got abandoned instead?

thephantombrain :

Thanks! And I know, right? When I first played the game, I remember that I would google Pokemon Identity every day to see if there were any updates regarding it. It took me a long time, but I ended up giving it up since there weren't any updates in nearly 3 years. It made me so sad because it was practically the perfect game for me. Oh wells.