Abstract:
The long-standing Pokémon series makes an honest attempt to reinvent itself with X and Y, and for the most part, it succeeds.
Pros:
- All the RPG goodness you expect from the series and then some
- Beautiful new 3D appearance adds a new level of immersion
- Great original music that harnesses the improved sound quality of the 3DS
- A multitude of new features, from trainer customization to Mega Evolutions
- Kalos is the most diverse region yet in terms of available Pokémon
Cons:
- Mostly bland, generic characters and writing
- Frame rate issues when transitioning to stereoscopic 3D
- Distantly the easiest game in the main series
Review:
What is there to say about Pokémon that hasn’t already been said? The ultra-popular franchise has garnered a fan following that easily numbers in the millions, and it is one of Nintendo’s most valued intellectual properties. However, many former “Pokémaniacs” have begun to wonder – what has changed? GAME FREAK attempts to provide the answer with their latest entries: Pokémon X and Y. These fresh offerings sell themselves on the novelty of an all-new and fully 3D world, and thankfully, this proves to be more than just a new coat of paint on an old machine.
The game begins in the series’ typical fashion: the Pokémon Professor of X and Y, Professor Sycamore, gives you the usual rundown on the fantastical world of Pokémon. He asks you to state your name and gender, and sends you on your way into the lovely Kalos region. Soon you’ll be selecting your starter, traveling between cities and of course, catching Pokémon. Your character will become embroiled in conflict with the nefarious Team Flare as you earn badges and make your way towards the Pokémon League. Sound familiar? That’s because it is, and therein lies the game’s greatest strength and greatest weakness.
While most fans will immediately recognize the telltale signs of a forthcoming Pokémon adventure, they will also know exactly what that entails: a lengthy and enjoyable journey, filled with the ageless delights of discovering and capturing new Pokémon as you battle and gain experience in the way that only this particular series of RPGs can provide. A wealth of content is packed into the game, as usual, and will keep you chasing Legendaries and searching for Mega Stones long after you have become Pokémon Champion (spoiler… kind of). Mega Evolution is only one of the new features that the game exhibits, though; Trainer customization is now present and has surprising depth, along with the chance to catch Pokémon from all five past generations, as Kalos is the most diverse region yet in terms of available Pokémon.
This journey is not entirely the same one you expect, however - the capabilities of the 3DS have been fully utilized here, and with grand results. Perhaps the biggest change to the aging Pokémon formula comes in the form of a fully 3D world and battles, allowing you a new perspective on your Pokémon and the lands they inhabit. This overarching feeling of immersion becomes evident as soon as you enter your first battle or sit on a bench (yes, you can finally sit on benches!) and get a good look at a local vista from a viewpoint that is not simply top-down. These many areas feel even more alive thanks to the inclusion of an original score, which is very well realized with the enhanced sound quality that the 3DS provides. This new platform presents a few problems of its own, though: the frame rate can drop noticeably when transitioning into a battle or environment that runs in stereoscopic 3D, but most of the time this is not a significant issue.
There are still periods when you can feel tired of Kalos, however. This new region is densely populated with downright boring and lackluster characters that regurgitate the same tired themes throughout the entirety of your travels. Most everyone that you encounter, from friends to enemies, is stagnant in terms of development and the writing that accompanies them is mind-numbingly simplistic and repetitive. Pokémon isn’t exactly known for its storytelling, but this feels like a missed opportunity to create a unique tale among the other elements of the formula that have been changed in X an Y. But hey, at least your protagonist still doesn’t talk.
As another new touch for X and Y, minigames are present and play a much more prominent role than you might think. Pokémon-Amie and Super Training both provide direct benefits to you and your Pokémon when used, despite neither being particularly enjoyable in terms of gameplay. Nonetheless, their benefits remain, and these very benefits contribute to X and Y being the easiest Pokémon games in the main series. Pokémon-Amie enables you to interact with your Pokémon directly and increase their affection for you. This will eventually give them the ability to perform critical hits, banish status effects, and more simply based on how much they love you. Super Training is the more serious offender, as it allows you to give an exponential boost to your selected Pokémon’s stats without any honest effort on your part.
Overall, X and Y should feel like a welcome breath of fresh air after the creative erosion that the series has experienced in the recent past. It still exhibits a few persistent flaws of the Pokémon formula, but one would be remiss to skip on the games as a result of these. This is an intriguing new entry in the series, and one that can be thoroughly enjoyed by long-time fans and newcomers alike.
Final Score: 8.5 out of 10