Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire Version

Pokemon: Alpha Sapphire Version​

The 3DS has been very kind to me of late.

"Tyro, m'boy!" It says, "Remember that game you liked on the Gamecube about ghost busting with a vacuum cleaner? I have one of those. You should buy me!"

And then I agreed. And it was glorious.

Then it said: "Tyro! Tyro, Tyro, Tyro. Now that I have you and I've gotten to know you a little, I think I can do my best for you. So, there's extra Streetpass Games. A little pricey but I have a deal on them for you, don't wait around. And how about this Legend of Zelda based on Link to the Past? Looks good huh? If not, how about these Indie Titles just laying around? You've already completed Shovel Knight? Well, there's these other things...Gunman Clive, Demon King Box, Zombie Panic in Wonderland...Those last two? You haven't heard of these? I guess these Japanese games were localised by accident. Oh well, worth a go when you're finished with Mega Man II, ay?"

And, in all honesty, those games mentioned have been pretty fun for the most part. But then I felt like an RPG and...

"Tyro! Oh, Tyro, I heard someone liked Pokemon: Sapphire! Wellity, wellity, wellity..."

"In Tyro's mind, I should be smoking a pipe and looking at people inquisitively while I swirl brandy. But because I can't do any of those, how about another update to the theme store, hmm?"​

"You do know that's my favourite Generation of these games, right?" I reply.

My 3DS scoffs: "The Third Gen? Why?"

"I dunno.." I reply. "I think they cracked the balance of new and old in that one. Like, the bad guys were nuts but struggling towards something epic to thwart. Even though your character is ten."

"Don't look at me." The 3DS chuckles. "You're the one that didn't stop playing these games after, what was it...Yellow version, yes? They're generally intended for kiddywinkles."

"Mmm...Yellow was awesome. It was the first time I'd ever played an RPG to completion. It was a long struggle that I could share with my friends. Now, I'd missed out on the legendary pokemon, defeating every single one. Why? Because I'd gotten a level 100 Pikachu named Sparks. I loved that little guy...Beating up the elite four was hilarious with just this tiny electric mouse electrocuting everything like it was nothing. 'Dragonite? Meh. THUNDERBOLT IT TO DEATH!'"

3DS titters quietly: "So, why are you still playing these games, exactly?"

"They're still pretty appealing RPGs! Sure, they're simple but there's a great deal of depth involved. People have been figuring out the intimate details of how to manipulate these tiny little creatures for years now. We know the algorithms for how a Pokemon is caught in a pokeball. We even figured out how to find and capture a Mew in the original games, even explaining why it happens. We know how to manipulate breeding and eggs to create the ultimate pokemon team. The combinations for a pokemon team are only limited by synergy and what's available within the game immediately. And then there's trading, battling each other, contests, messing around with combinations of Pokemon, their moves, training up to beat the gym leaders. It's pretty enjoyable, as long as you enjoy a simple RPG. Maybe not for everyone but they're consistently enjoyable."

The 3DS raises an eyebrow. Well, the face it has on it's top screen does. Nintendo's eyebrow attachments being as dead as the Wii's heart rate monitor.

"All right, why 3rd Gen Pokemon?"

"I dunno..." I reply, casting my mind back. "I picked it up and played it while on Holiday and...Well, the new pokemon are very powerful and consistently effective. Then the battle to save Hoenn from idealistic maniacs trying to extend the sea for the benefit of Pokemon had be hooked. Somehow that leads to them discovering Kygore, a legendary pokemon that ends up attempting to drown the planet. Until you catch it. That's a huge tale to be at the center of. Then there's Contests that add more to do the game, the legendary pokemon they don't tell you about, the personality of the characters involved, the challenges ahead. Plus, the starter pokemon are pretty decent in this generation."

Even the cart itself stood out with it's see through azure colour, like some kind of jewel you stuck in your Game Boy. Few other Game Boy Advance Game did this. It made Sapphire pretty memorable, even if you didn't play it.​

"That was my thinking, my dear fox. Yes, I have something to show you." And then 3DS showed the new game on it's screen. "Say 'Hello' to Pokemon Alpha Sapphire

And so I played it for a while. I managed to play all the way to the Elite Four, completing the story and defeating the gym leaders, until...

"Tyro! Tyro, why...Your at the Elite Four! Why are you walking out the door? My dear boy, I thought you were enjoying yourself!!" My 3DS asked in surprise.

"I am."

"Then why are you turning around?! The end of the game is right there!"

"I know. I want to see more of this game first."

The 3DS furrows it's pixelated brow: "What? Gosh crikey, Tyro! Dear sweet Tyro! You're wondering away from glory! The reward! The incredible consummation of your incredible journey across this land! Why are you turning around?"

"I want to explore some more. This time round I raised Oscar the Mightyena. Now I want a Gardevoir. And Wally had a Gallade. I want one of them too. I've still got pipes to collect and I want a Raichu."

"Bu-but, there's...You know what? Go ahead. I shouldn't have said anything." And with that, my 3DS remained quiet for a few moments until I broke the silence.

"Why the hell is Cosplay Pikachu in here?"

"Pardon?"

"Cosplay Pikachu." I reiterate. "A Pikachu that can't breed, is always female, can't evolve but is able to wear costumes and learn moves outside of it's move pool. It's not got any extra stat changes or anything. Why is she in this?"

"Well, this generation introduced Contests, so this Pokemon is probably to commemorate that." The 3DS speculated. "She's amazing in all facets of the contest mode. She has max stats, can change herself to suit all modes of the side mission and walks out to applause instantly."

"Yeeeaap!" I said. "That why I only ever use her in battle."

"Yes. Why do you keep doing that?! She's not intended for combat."

I scoff at that, looking at my handheld with a smirk: "Could have fooled me. She's pretty powerful and who wouldn't want a Pikachu firing lightning bolts out of her face while prancing around in a dress borrowed from Cardcaptor Sakura?"

"Come on! Tell me I'm wrong! I dare you to argue this isn't a Pikachu dressed up like she's come from a Pokemon/Magical Girl Anime Crossover Somewhere!"​

"I suppose...But you could do that after the Elite Four is over. Couldn't you...Are you catching a Misdreavus?"

"Yes." I admitted without much remorse. "You missed me catching a little Lillipup too."

"But, I-And a Sandshrew? So, are you looking to fill up your PokeDex? That's an excellent endeavour, ensuring your game is complete 100-"

"Nope." I said. "I'm raising more pokemon for my team. I want these pokemon in case I need more variety. Besides, I like these ones."

"And...You're avoiding the Elite Four to do some more training?" The 3DS was becoming concerned, confusion mounting as to this unplanned reaction. Gamers wanted to win things, right?

"Yeah. You gave me that Exp Share. I might as well put it to some good use."

"Bu-but..." The 3DS struggled to understand. If it had one, it would be furrowing it's brow in frustration, cracking the plastic of the screen like a multi-lane pile up of tectonic plates. It settles for the approximation on the screen. "I gave you that to get you through the game easier! I'm cutting down the time spent grinding. Why are you undoing that? I thought you didn't like grinding?"

"I want my extra pokemon. Besides, I don't mind it if I can find the right places to wander around in. Thankfully, you've given me plenty of places to wonder to train up."

The 3DS nods it's top screen in unconvinced agreement: "Yes. Yes, I guess that's right. But, you're really going to do that at this instant? Why not claim your final reward?"

"Because I never got the chance to explore these places like I did in the original game."

The 3DS fell silent suddenly. Something had clearly gone wrong in it's plans for this game, so I continued.

"That's my problem with this. I like this update in a lot of ways but that's my really big gripe. You've made it so that everyone can play it no sweat but you've gutted the game of it's bite as a result."

"Dear boy, I've made this game visually vibrant. I've given every character some personality. I've allows for sweeping camera angles over this colourful and varied land!"

It had a point. This game did look gorgeous for the system.​

"Difficulty." I said. "You've messed with the difficulty. And the pacing of the game. I want to explore because I've been swept across the Hoenn whenever it's felt I've spent long enough in one place. I missed entire segments of the world map, just because the story dictated it. I missed going to the desert. And the Sunken Wreck. And a chunk of Route 119 where I remember there being some really cool Pokemon. I was even confused about when I was supposed to talk to Wattson in order to explore the Power Plant area underneath Mauville because of the new map. I never got to run all the way through Meteor Falls and travel back on myself to go on route. You just whisked me away to save me the bother. Even though I want to bother. Character's whisking me away to somewhere else cuts out most of the game. I've breezed through this thing."

"But you didn't have to do that. You had the choice to run all the way there." The 3DS said.

"Not on my first run through. As far as I know, I have to follow Brendan back to wherever or the event doesn't trigger. It feels more videogamey to do it that way, if you see what I mean. Nothing else in the game suggested I would miss out on anything by agreeing to the boxes. It's convenient, why would I refuse?"

"But you can make the game harder. Same with the Exp Share. You can just turn it off." My 3DS pleaded.

"But why would I? It makes my pokemon easier to raise. I want that. It doesn't make sense to turn off what's helping me win."

"Then why are you complaining?!"

"Because it's making me win easier!"

The 3DS just huffs. It would tap it's foot if it had one.

"Look, you seem to care quite a bit about rewarding me. That's not a bad thing and I know you're trying to make this game accessible to everyone. It's a good idea in order to ensure that everyone can play." I suck in a lungful of air, regretting having walked down this line of conversation with my 3DS. Ever since having to exchange harsh words with my PS2 over the PS3, I wasn't hoping to do the same to another beloved console. "You just seem so preoccupied with getting me to the reward or the next part of the Super Pokemon Story Rollercoster. You never let me just wander. The original let me meander, because it's an RPG. Exploration nets you extra levels at the very least. But it could also get you new pokemon, more items, all sorts. The Original knew this. Your Older Brother knew this. You're always hurrying me. 'Hey! How about we head on over here? Walking takes time and your attention span can't possibly last!'. Sure, you don't badger me but it doesn't feel like there's much to be gained from the alternative. And seeing as we're talking about the Exp Share, why is it given to you right at the start of the game?!"

The 3DS begins to formulate an answer but manages little that it was confident would sway me. So, I continue.

"It's to make the game accessible. I know! I know, that's fine but it makes the game insultingly simple because your team grows without ever having to have each pokemon see battle. They just have to be in the team and one pokemon does the work of six. Can you not see how that takes out most of the sense of achievement from the game? Sure, it makes a part of the game that's not very appealing less arduous but it makes raising your pokemon facile. The once feared Gym Leaders can be out-levelled without much work. I'd understand if this highly powerful item was something you found after completing a large amount of the PokeDex or at the end of a hard dungeon or at least later in the game than right at the start when you save the Devon Researcher in Petalburg Woods."

"Fear meeeee! For I am powerful! Even if you have a water type! I'll flail you alive little boy! FEAR MEEEEEEEEE!"​

The 3DS attempts a rebuttle: "But you could always turn it off."

"I could, but on your first playthrough, you don't have the knowledge of what the game is like to make that judgement call. You just switch it on because the game just gave you a new toy. Other games would inform the player by asking them questions, the most common being 'What Difficulty Level would you like?'. Or at least, 'Have you played a Pokemon Game before?'. Other RPG's will have systems to tailor themselves to match a player's level. This Pokemon doesn't. In fact, the series never has. So, when it simply hands over an item like the Exp Share, I just assume it's something the developers expected me to use to ensure I can get through the game at all rather than as a handicap I can switch on and off. It doesn't tell me that, only it's function. It makes the design a little patronising."

I pause for a run up: "The worst part of all this is the Cosplay Pikachu! A Pokemon that can stomp through the Contests with every possible advantage and with incredible ease in all contests ever. What's the point of doing the Contests? I have the best Pokemon possible. What's the point? I've already won!

The game has removed most of it's bite. By making things accessible to everyone in the ways that it has done, it's harmed some of it's appeal. I'm all for more inclusive games but you have to let us know that's what you're doing. A little sign or note on the EXP Share could have done wonders for the two groups of people this wants to cater to. One is looking for a good time while the other wants that gauntlet thrown down before them. Catering to both can be done but I don't think the hands off approach is the right way."

"Oh..." The 3DS said. I'd clearly made it rather disheartened. "I'm sorry, I guess it was a mistake to suggest this game for you...Uuh...I'll do better with the next one."

"Oh shush!" I said. "That's one small flaw I found with this game. Otherwise, it's really good. I enjoyed the updated visuals, the pokemon available and the tweaks to the story to make it a little more involved. I mean, the new engine meant what were once static sprites could now act, emote and give a proper performance. That's the biggest appeal I got out of this game. The journey. Not where I was heading but how I got there. It sounds mushy but it's true."

It could always be much, much worse...​

The 3DS nods it's top screen: "All right. That's, that's good. I'm glad you liked it."

"I really liked the story and the characters in this. The difference between the two teams, they're flamboyant personalities that came through really strongly on screen. It was great to run through that."

The 3DS seemed to pick up a little after I'd said that.

"Aaaand, I was a little weary about Mega Evolutions, thinking they were just a symptom of Power Creep. And they might be, but they do have a function as a sort of power boost when you want it. They specialise the pokemon, making them very good at one thing but retaining some of their weaknesses. Some even gain new abilities and alter in their entirety. That's pretty interesting. Plus, it's the only game in the series where I've fought using Pikachu wearing a frilly dress. That's a sight to see as this creature with an adorable little face rains lightning from the sky."

Even if I am reminded rather heavily of another franchise whenever Mega Evolution does occur.​

"Hmm...Well, then. Good." The 3DS beginning to smile. "I'm glad you enjoyed it and my talent for scouting games hasn't vanished quite yet. Now! If I were you, I'd complete the Elite Four and become Champion."

Now, I frowned in confusion: "What did I just say?"

"It was going to be a surprise but...There's another storyline after you beat the game that's centred around Rayquaza?"

I stare at my little device in mild shock.

"Say what? Really? Awesome! When I'm done looking through every nook and cranny of the game for presents, I'll get on that. Right now? Cassy the Gardevoir has just hit level thirty. Twenty more and she'll be ready to try smashing through the updated Hoenn Elite Four."

"All right. Go ahead." My 3DS said, chuckling gently. "The world is your playground. Explore to your hearts content."

"Mm. Better."

And that's without talking about the new PokeNav Functions, the Updates to Secret Bases, the Updates to the Battles, Sneaking up on Pokemon or Hoard Battles. There's just tones of new content in this thing, I'll keep you busy for weeks if you'll let it. It's a thumbs up from me on this.​