Game: Pokemon X and Y
Platform: 3DS
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| Like in Pokémon Yellow, Pikachu has a voice actor this time round. I'd like to see all the grainy Pokémon sound effects eased out eventually. |
The changes made in this generation of Pokémon help streamline
the experience more than any previous outing. The battle system has been
updated, the graphics have gone through a complete (and beautiful) overhaul and
the game is even easier to pick up and play. Though most of the decisions are
for the good, the single player story feels like a last minute addition.
The game caters to aiding its competitive players in many
ways. IV and EV training your Pokémon’s previously hidden stats is much simpler.
Mini games and horde battles make improving your Pokémon’s stats quicker,
easier to track and most of all less frustrating. Your Pokémon also now share
experience points after each battle. Features like this can make the game seem too
easy, but it’s a welcome addition to levelling up Pokémon after the main story
has ended.
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| Mega Evolutions offer a 'trump card' like element to battles. Making for more varied battle strategies. |
While the meta-game of breeding and online battling is the
best it has ever been, the story simply re-treads previous Pokémon outings,
especially when compared with Pokémon Black breaking the eight gyms followed by
elite four model. The end result is a great game with improved online
capabilities (the wonder trade is an amazing new feature), but the game doesn’t
really feel like it’s begun until after you’ve beaten the elite four.
The game will be succeeded by Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and
Omega Ruby in the coming months. With such a solid
engine in place it will be interesting to see what these remakes add to the
series.
Overall Score: 8/10, in ways it's the best in series, but in other ways it's just more of the same.
