October 12th, 2013. For the first time a game of the Pokémon main series has been released simultaneously woldwide. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y the two most recent installments of the franchise were set to „revolutionize“ the series. Maybe not in case of the basic principle because that is the same old song and dance as ever but there are indeed a lot of elements introduced in these two games that are close to a „revolution“ of the franchise, or the main series , to be more precise. If you kept track of all the information, be it official or not, you might know what I am talking about. If not, let me briefly summarize for you what is new so you can see for yourself how much of a „revolution“ Pokémon X and Y are.
Let me start with the biggest and most obvious new element the games introduced: the new style of graphics. Instead of the „old“ 2D sprite and tile graphics the games have, just like the GameCube spin-offs, 3D grapics and render models which also has an impact on the controls. Again, just like in Colosseum and XD, the player can move around in eight directions and even in a 360° fashion while using the bicycle or the roller skates. … Wait a minute, „roller skates“? What happened to the running shoes? Don’t worry, you can still run by holding down B and moving around using the D-Pad. If you want to use the new roller skates you just have to use the 3DS’s slide pad. You may have to get used to it at first but it is a welcome new element and it is fun just skating around the new Kalos region. Speaking of the new region. As you may or may not know, the new Kalos region is based on Europe – France to be more precise. And that has a severe impact on the looks of the various locations. For example the Parfum Palace which is based on the famous Palace of Versailles. The designers went even so far as they included stereotyped japanese tourists and honeymooners to emphasize the whole „the region is based on Europe“ thing. Of course, there are some more nods and references to France and the French language but those are too many to write them all down here. Let’s just say, you really get a „being in Europe“ feeling when playing the games.
So, what else is new besides the graphics and location? Well, there are some more useful features emphasizing interaction with other players around the world and with your own Pokémon. For one, there is the Player Search System, PSS for short, which lets you interact with any other trainer using the system at the same time. And then, there are Pokémon-Amie and the Super Training. The first one being a tuned-down version of Nintendogs with Pokémon and the latter being a simple method to easily increase the EVs of your Pokémon by playing little mini-games which is mostly interesting to competitive players. Those are the biggest of the new elements introduced in X and Y and, frankly, it really is fun just challenging some random other trainer from across the world, believe me.
Now, is that all there is or are there more new features in Pokémon X and Y? Well, there is indeed a little more and I still haven’t talked about the new Pokémon. But first, I need to mention something that might apply more to the female playership than to the male one. Yes, I am talking about shopping. Clothes. Do I need to say more? The protagonist is fully customizable from hat to shoes. You can even change hair style and color and the color of your eyes. Fascinating, huh? Believe me, it is. At last, you can have you own, unique protagonist and they differ in more than just name and ID number.
So, should you go and buy the new Pokémon games? Well, if you are a Pokémon fan and you still haven’t gotten the games then WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU WAITING FOR?! No, seriously, Pokémon X and Y are the best Pokémon games and even some of the best games released for the 3DS so far. I guess I haven’t been the only person who completely forgot about Animal Crossing: New Leaf when he got the new Pokémon game. The new graphics, the new region, the protagonists and even Team Flare, the antagonists… everything, just everything in this games is worth every cent you spend on them. Okay, there may not be that much post-game content, but the PSS can compensate that pretty well. So, to make a long story short: I love the new Pokémon games and I can recommend them to any fan of the series. But not only to them. Maybe you are new to the franchise and you are hesitating to buy the games. If that is the case, let me assure you, you will not be disappointed. Okay, there are a few things that can be critisized, such as the lack of post-game content or the sparingly used 3D effect (only in battles and specific locations) but still, Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are the best Pokémon games out there. In every aspect. Period. And just you wait until you heard the awesome soundtrack. Amazing, simply amazing.
P.S.: And sorry for not saying pretty much anything about the story of the game. I really didn’t want to spoil you. Having finished the game one could be tempted to say too much about it just because of how amazed he is. Let’s just say, the story is also the best ever to be seen in a game of the Pokémon main series. In my eyes it even beats the story of Pokémon Black and White. But enough now. Go and see it for yourselves. You really should.
– King Madness (~Benji)
