Pokemon has been around since 1998 (US), with 5 generations to date and the 6th coming to shelves on October 12th. Some fans have played from the black and white pixels beginning, while others may be picking up the game for the first time. For those of us that played the originals and have stayed on top of things throughout the lifetime of the Pokemon franchise, they are looking for a new look on the series that remains true to the spirit of the games. For those of you that are looking for a first time entry into Pokemon, you are looking for game play that provides a personal connection and a lasting experience.
The Pokemon franchise has always been a series of innovation, connectivity and technology. The earliest game allowed for the transfer of characters from one cartridge to another, introducing connectivity and competitive relationships that gaming had never seen before on such a large, marketable level. Despite these features, there has been one glaring feature of the core Pokemon games that had been lacking, until now -the graphics.
Pokemon Stadium first introduced us to the idea of our Pokemon coming to life beyond a pixelated movement on a screen, but until now, the handheld games had never utilized full 3-d elements. Pokemon X and Pokemon Y not only offer 3-D game play, but Game Freak is offering immersive battle graphics that have been fine tuned for the attack and type. More than just the battles have been updated though. The Poke trainer, but the boy and girl variation, have a set of emotions and movements never before seen in the series.
Previously, once you captured your Pokemon, there was not much you could do with it. Fight it, put it in a box, the end. In a similar manner of NintenDogs, you can now play with and pet your Pokemon. Every Pokemon has a personality and this new feature will connect you to the characters more than you ever could before. Even the mic and camera respond to your actions to connect you to the Pokemon universe.
Of course the staple ideas of the franchise will remain with these graphical and connectivity updates. You will have your starter Pokemon and attempt to lead them through the region and collect the badges and fight your way towards becoming the Pokemon League Champion, all while catching as many species as you can.
The battles will implement a couple of new variables in them though. A new fairy type has been confirmed to exist, which will be effective against the often criticized over powered dragon type. Some familiar Pokemon will also get type adjustments to fit into the fairy type, where they should have been the whole time.
In addition to the new types, Mega Evolutions have been shown. Using special stones, select fully evolved Pokemon will now be able to temporarily evolve one more stage into their Mega form. The Mega Pokemon are powered up and will even change their types. Original generation starters have been shown in the Mega form already, and legendary Pokemon such as Mewtwo has already been shown to Mega evolve as well.
With type changes and additional power given on a temporary basis, the dynamic of battles will be changing as one stone could switch the momentum of the battle from one trainer to another.
Pokemon X and Pokemon Y is the same Pokemon game we have enjoyed since 1998, but with updated battle mechanics and a long over due graphical upgrade; this generation will be looked upon as innovative and offer something for fans of all experience levels.