Review for Pokémon X & Y

Pokémon X & Y Poster. Nintendo. Game Freak.

October 12 saw the release of the new addition to the Pokemon gaming franchise. Pokemon X and Pokemon Y happen to be the first Pokemon games made for the 3Ds. There are a lot of new features to check out in the game.

As always, there was the introduction of several new pokemon introduced in this new game but unlike other games this one also bring back many of the old favorites. One fun feature is that after the player select their starter they get to pick another starter from the original three starters from generation one. Through the game the player comes across many chances to capture old pokemon along with the new ones. 

One great feature about the game is its connectivity that allows you to connect to internet and to other players around the world. The friends that you have registered on your 3ds pop on the game as long as they too play one of the new pokemon games. You can trade much easier now and battles online just as easy.  All you have to do is have wi fi and click the wifi button on the on the screen.

The 3ds allows new features to come into play like Pokemon-Amie. Similar to many pet games available for the 3ds this game allows players to interact with their pokemon, to play with them and even feed them. This feature allows the players to grow their friendship with their pokemon. This actually does come into play as the bond the player has with their pokemon can actually make their pokemon stronger. Pokemon-Amie also comes with fun mini games for the player to play with their pokemon.

Super Training is another mini activity that allows the player to strengthen their pokemon's attributes. It comes in the form of small mini games modeled after training exercises. You can literally have your pokemon hitting a punching bag.

There are other features scattered through the game that change up the game. Sky battles are battles in the air that can only be fought with Pokemon with the ability to fly. If you want to get into a Sky battle you have to have something with wings. Horde Encounters are like running into wild Pokemon but instead of running into one or two you run into five at a time. They are not as common but in some area they will pop up in groups so watch out for that. The new Pokemon type, Fairy, changes the type advantages as now there is something to balance out the dragons.

There is also trainer customization. Now the player can change their character and dress them up in different clothes and match their skin color to their own if they want.

One more feature in this game is the mega-evolution, it allows certain pokemon under certain conditions  to evolve during a battle. It's a nice power boost and gives the pokemon a cool look too.

Appearance wise the 3d does give the battles a nice twist letting the player see the attack like never before. The look of the battles is reminiscent of Battle Colosseum and Pokemon stadium games. Though personally I think it is a step up from the 2d battles. The game takes advantage of the new system  even giving you rollers skates that can only be used through the joy stick on the 3ds. Overall the mobility of your character in the game has opened up.  It takes some time to get used to all the new features but once you do they come in handy. It even allows the player to ride certain pokemon on land and not just on the water.

The game was released world wide and though that sounds good there are reports of a glitch. There are reports that is you save the game outside while in Lumiose City the game will freeze and force the player to reset the whole game. To all my readers it is best to be safe than sorry so make sure you are indoors when you save in that city.  But don't worry patches can easily fix these kinds of things and be downloaded like any upgrade into you SD card.

The game overall opens up the series while bringing back some of the old favorites and giving some new fun features. The game series has been around for more than ten years and it is only natural that they have to repeat themselves but the people at Game Freak continues to bring forth new surprises. Though not perfect the game and the rumored glitch can be a little scary  the game does what it is meant to. let the player have fun. Overall I give the game 4.6 out of  5.