Pokemon Y!

     

OK, I'm a nerdy Pokemon fan who can still remember seeing episode 1 of the TV show and collects the cards, games, toys, and comics. So I was excited to finally get my hands on one of the latest games on release day. (I didn't have a portable game system until I was 16 and bought a Gameboy Advance on ebay. It was like Christmas morning for me when my used copy of Pokemon Ruby Version arrived in the mail. So when I say "excited", we're talking nerdy-fan-dream-come-true here.) The version I reserved at Target was the Y version. I know Pokemon X sounds cooler, but when I saw the legendary pokemon for each game, I thought a predator bird was more appealing than a magical caribou thing, thus my choice. And so, my older bro came over and we spent the day playing X and Y. To celebrate the occasion, we made Pokeball sugar cookies (see below) and fortified ourselves in the family room to eat and play--and, yes, when my brother and I are involved with video games, to scream and laugh on occasion too.

A friend had recently asked me when the Pokemon Company was going to finally change their junky sprite graphics they've been using for years. Well, the answer is here, and I can say I'm highly impressed with the new 3D look of Pokemon. Many details have been added, such as animations for picking up the pokeball items and putting them into your bag, throwing a pokeball out in battle, and even bending down in a patronizing way to talk to the little kids. Pikachu has just become cuter too as his 16-bit static cry is replaced with a talking voice very much like the cartoon. The game's location, based on France, is a charming new region called Kalos. Sadly though, the 3D slider option is only available in certain instances such as cutscenes or battles. I don't think I would have minded if the Pokemon Company waited a little longer to release the games so that the entire game had the 3D option. The game is excellent enough as it is, and it's a shame they couldn't have gone all the way to blow fans' minds.

The new generation also has quite a few new awesome features including customization with your character! Not only can you choose the face your character has, (besides the whole creepy question from the prof. on whether you're a boy or a girl) but later in the game you can change your appearance even more with various clothing articles and even a salon to change hair style/color and eye color. Along with those features, there's the new Pokemon-Amie feature, an interactive tool that helps you bond with your Pokemon more. Players of Kingdom Hearts 3D: Dream Drop Distance will find it very similar to the Dream Eater interaction. New ways of transportation have finally been added! Roller Skates are just one new way of getting around, and they are a blast to use! But they come with a price. The circle pad from the time you receive them can no longer be used for just walking, and if you want to take it slow, you'll be forced to use the directional pad for the rest of the game.

Did Bianca and Cheren annoy you in Black and White versions? Well, this game will make you miss them both now that you've acquired not one or two, but four new weird friends. One of your friends apparently depends on your version or gender choice--not sure which, but the other three are the same for everyone. There's Shauna--an annoying overly cheerful girl who you will NOT be able to get rid of. Seriously, it seems like every time you enter a new area--THERE'S SHAUNA! Then there's Tierno, a balding kid who loves to dance--and you'll find yourself crying for him to stop when he does. Then there's...Trevor, whose hairstyle is frankly too pretty for a boy... And I won't even mention the professor, who my brother commented, could be a model for Banana Republic with his flashy hair.

And now about the new Pokemon. The best thing of any new generation is discovering new Pokemon. Well, after the hideous additions introduced in Black and White versions...the hideousness continues! I literally screamed in horror when one of my once cute pokemon evolved into an ugly cocoon thing. Fortunately, some pokemon are somewhat cute and/or cool, and I love the fact that you no longer receive just one starter pokemon. A little into the game you also get your choice of Bulbasaur, Charmander, or Squirtle! (Charmander is unhealthily pale though... Just saying.) And the new Fairy type is introduced! This makes me very happy, not because I like fairies, but because it means the previously impenetrable Dragon-type has a weakness!

The battles were very impressive this time around! They play out more like the first Pokemon Stadium game. Better animations for attacks, more animated pokemon, and some neat camera movements. This is the first game where I haven't had the urge to turn off the battle animations.

All in all, I'm impressed and find the game a blast! I'm still excited about discovering some more new features of the games, but that about covers my thoughts on what I've seen so far. Well done, Nintendo and Pokemon Company!