Throwback Reviews: Pokemon X & Pokemon Y

Pokemon X & Pokemon Y

Platform: 3DS

Reviewed By: Giuliano V, Matteo C, Gino C

Gameplay: 9, 9.5, 8

Giuliano- Battle system feels similar, yet refreshing with the addition of Mega Evolutions and Horde Battles. Implementation of coloured grass allows for a much larger variety of Pokemon to be found in each area, making it much more interesting to "catch them all." Pokemon Amie and EV Training allow for even casual players to create competitively adequate Pokemon. 

Matteo- Mega Evolutions revolutionize the battle system. Super Training appeals to the hardcore crowd. New ways of transportation is refreshing, such as the rollarblades. GTS, Wondertrade and O-Powers are now available from the menu rather than from Pokemon Center, allowing for better implementation. 

Gino- Great gameplay, plays a lot like all the other Pokemon. Horde battles are interesting, adds to chances of finding shinies. Sky battles seem pointless. Mega Evolutions are a great addition, gave spotlight to older Pokemon. Pokemon Amie seemed pointless, while Super Training is a good idea and allows for precise EV distribution. Money can be exploited easily through restaurants. Poke Miles should be able to be converted to buy different items.

Story: 7, 7, 6

Giuliano- Had some of the most forgettable characters of the series, especially the Champion and the Gym Leaders. The two assistants to the Professor were a terrible addition to this game. Most of the rivals aside from the main one lack any depth and seem to serve as comic relief. However, nothing in the story was so awful that it actually hindered the game. It is definitely a step-back from the progress made in Black 2 / White 2.  

Matteo- Team Flare is by far the least interesting villain team in the series, but the leader is one of the better villains in the series. The story is your basic Pokemon story, there is nothing revolutionary or surprising for the series. 

Gino- Reiterating that Team Flare sucked and the King of Kalos plot line was quite silly. The characters friends are awful. The idea of Pokemon fighting in wars was a little darker for the series, but still, nothing too revolutionary.

Sound: 7.5, 9, 8

Giuliano- The main theme of the game, while decent at first, became quickly annoying with over-extensive use in trailers leading up the game's release. While the music was good and fit the game, there was nothing that particularly stood out for me and I felt it was the one generation without a fantastic, memorable piece of music. 

Matteo- They redid the vast majority of Pokemon voices/sounds from the first four generations. They added new sound effects to moves. Each town and routes had their own themes. I personally liked the Champion and Gym Leader themes. I also think the main theme is one of the best main themes in any Pokemon game.

Gino- Redoing all the original Pokemon noises was a refreshing idea, but there was also a lack of nostalgia due to this. 

Presentation: 9, 9.5, 9

Giuliano- 3D visuals are a huge improvement and long awaited addition to the series. While many complain about the small number of new Pokemon, the number was not the problem. Rather, it was the poor design of most of the new Pokemon. However, most of the Mega Evolutions were designed quite well. Customization of the character allows for each player to feel unique. Lumiose City, while a good idea in conception, ended up being one of the worst cities in the series, with very few landmarks to help players navigate through the giant city.

Matteo- Massive step forward for the Pokemon series in terms of visuals, which each Pokemon receiving a fully 3D sprite. Customizing your trainer was a fantastic addition. Though the gap between the first two gyms is very long, there is still tons to do between them, rather than being a barren gap. While Fairy type was a good gameplay addition, none of the new Fairy-type Pokemon looked good enough to actually entice a player to use them. 

Gino- Visual enhancements are a great improvement. Lumiose City's camera angles can be annoying at times, especially when it zooms in and inflates the pixelation. Fairy type was a good addition, but no memorable Pokemon. There is no actual face for the Fairy type Pokemon except for Sylveon and the reclassed Gardevoir. The actual design of most of the gyms are fantastic, they are some of the most memorable locations in the series. 

Lasting Appeal: 10, 9, 8

Giuliano- As with most Pokemon games, the fun really never ends. There is always something to do and I always find myself looking for shinies, finding more Friend Safaris and training new Pokemon despite the severe lack of post-game. Really, Pokemon does not need a post-game other than finding legendaries and having battle institutes, especially with how powerful the online community of this particular entry is. If you enjoy Pokemon, your fun will never end.

Matteo- Though there is only one new city in the post-game, there is still a fair amount to do in the game such as EV Training, levelling up, Friend Safari and completing the Pokedex. I hope in the next Pokemon game that they expand on the post-game further than Battle Mansion, but they should not hide key evolutionary items behind the BP market. Also, it is extremely annoying that Pokemon in the Battle Mansion do not enter your Pokedex data. It's also nice that they brought back something similar to Safari Zone.

Gino- Not much to do but battle outside of main story. BP system can seem unnecessary at times, as it is slow to accumulate enough for anything important. Completing the Pokedex proves to be a challenge as Event-Only Pokemon cannot be transferred over GTS. It is always fun looking for shinies with chain fishing, but if you cannot get the full Pokedex you cannot get the Shiny Charm, as you would have needed to be in the right place at the right time throughout the years to get all the event Pokemon. Elite 4 not getting tougher as they have in previous games we a let-down. Battle Chateau is still fun, but if you did not start it from the earlier in the game it will be a little boring fighting underleveled opponents. 

Final Verdict: 8.9 / 10

Pokemon X and Pokemon Y were a big-step for the series and a must-own title on the 3DS, however, the game still suffers from some flaws that will hopefully be fixed in the third version of the game.