Pokémon Y

This game had so much hype over the last few months... And it definitely deserved it! Although this may be since I am a Pokémon fanboy, I absolutely loved the constant references to older games and the extremely well-made music all throughout this game. The 3D models were stunning, especially since it was the first time 3D models were used in a mainstream Pokémon game, and it made the battles so much more dynamic. The story was lacking however, and though I do not want to spoil too much, try not to expect any major plot twists or anything like those seen in Pokémon Black, White, Black 2, and White 2; but then again, Pokémon is less about the story and more about the adventure anyway, so this is not too huge a flaw. Overall, I adore this game and although I did not cover some other amazing features in it (Mega Evolution, the friend system, customizing your character, etc.), it is absolutely beautiful and I would love to see all Pokéfans, old and new, to play this game and enjoy it as much as I did.

After Pokemon Black and White 2 launched last year, I was concerned for the future of Pokemon games. I knew theyd eventually return their former glory, but it was a question of when. The time has come. Pokemon X/Y reinvents the franchise by removing tedious grinding(game progression being tied to spending excess hours doing similar battles) and adding in new game mechanics, such as mega evolution. The game also features a much improved 3D world. The game feels similar to Pokemon Colosseum, which I absolutely loved. If you have been waiting for a point to jump back into Pokemon or want to give it a go for the first time, this is a great entry point.

For the most part, its the quality Ive come to expect from a Pokemon game, but it still has a few glaring flaws. -First and foremost, they force you to pay a monthly fee to be able to transfer your Pokemon from the 5th gen games. Yes, I know the first month is free, giving you ample time to transfer everything that you cant catch in X or Y.. But its the principle of the thing: there is no reason that we shouldnt have been able to do with this new game what you could with the 5th gen games. What I mean to say, is that here isnt even a technical limitation: 3DS to DS communication IS possible, despite whatever the idiots defending this obvious cash-grab may tell you. Dont beleive me? The most recent Dragon Quest Monsters title, a Japan-only 3DS release, allowed you transfer monsters from previous titles for the DS, This isnt a case of using a 3DS in DS mode, like you might have done with your 5th gen games to transfer Pokemon over from 4th gen games... its true, undisputed, 3DS to DS communication. Nintendo could have done the same thing with X and Y, but chose not to. I could understand setting up this online transfer thing as an option for people who dont still own a DS, but the rest of us got fleeced. Hopefully, enough people will catch wind of this fact, and Nintendo will fix the problem for Pokemon Z or whatever they call the inevitable third version. -After you defeat the Elite 4, theres very little left to do other than to complete the Pokedex. The post-game hasnt been this pathetic since Red, Blue, and Yellow. For a game that I dropped $40 on, I should be getting a lot more. -Only one new evolved form of an old Pokemon (Sylveon)? Really? You can slap however many extra spikes on Charizard that you want, it doesnt change the fact that we still dont have evolved or pre-evolved forms that weve been requesting for a long time. Its not like you couldnt have made room for them. Did we really need an all-new family of moths/butterflies? Werent the FOUR we already had (Butterfree, Beautifly/Dustox, Mothim, Volcarona) enough? -While you have to give Game Freak credit for trying something different with Team Flare, I still feel that their story was really rather rushed. And what happened to AZ after your battle with him? Both issues could have been fixed with a better post game. In summation... the game lives up to a lot of the things Nintendo promised us (the visuals, trainer customization, Mega Evolution, etc), but it also suffers in a lot of other areas. Long time fans like myself will enjoy it (theres even a lot of little references to older games in it), but if you can only buy one Pokemon game this generation, I think Id recommend waiting for Z or whatever they call the third version. I have a feeling that it will expand on the story a bit, give us more of a post game (as usual), and maybe even give us a free transfer option. This is assuming, of course, that its more of a traditional third version and not a straight up sequel like Black 2 and White 2, but either way, you might want to wait.

I played the game

Fun game that I enjoyed thoroughly, but I was upset with the friend obtaining process for friend safari and the way one has to obtain legendary bird pokemon. There is no tier system for PVP pokemon battles, so someone with all legendary pokemon can challenge a new player that only has basic pokemon. Of course, one can decline the fight, but one needs to interact with others in order to obtain their friend safaris. So its like a mandatory one-sided pokemon slaughter sometimes. I would say this game is really more like a 4.5/5 stars, but alas it does not let me give that rating. Overall, it is well made and I would definitely recommend it.

Ive played most of the past Pokemon games and they keep getting better with each iteration, and Pokemon X/Y makes the greatest leap forward in terms of interface and graphics, while continuing to follow the standard formula for core gameplay of this great series. The interface is now more intuitive than ever with little tweaks that make everything from inventory to game world easier and more efficient to navigate and manage. Youll wonder how you ever managed to get through some of the older titles without all the improvements that are to be found in X/Y. The updated graphics of the 3DS really bring all the pokemon to life, and the game world itself has never before been more breathtaking nor more beautiful to behold. There really has never been a better Pokemon game to play, for veterans and for new fans alike.

What I liked: -Nice graphics -Small improvements that make the game easy and more play friendly (for example you can not see if a TM can be learned by a Pokemon in your team without having to select use.) -return of berries and improved berry system -It took me 70 hours to finish the game. (Long gameplay) -Nice new little features such as O-powers that allow you to refill your local friends pokemons HP for example -All Pokemon benefit from the expshare -Most of the new Pokemons look GREAT (except Doublade and Klefki) WHAT I DISLIKED: -very bad sound track compared to the previous games -VERY BAD 3D... Worst I have seen... Shin megami tensei 4, Kid Icarus and Fire Emblem had good 3d Graphics but Pokemon X and Y has very bad 3d effects. When 3d is tuned up all the way you still hardly notice it... And the framrate drops A LOT!. Only battle are in 3d but the double battles or horde battles are viewable in 2d only -Nothing to do after the defeat of the Pokemon League... In black and white there was a tone to do.. I played my black version 320 hours. But my Y version only 77 hours and it took me 72 hours to beat the game... There is no place to train your pokemons except for the Pokemon league but they dont grow stronger after you completed the main story -very bad story (Had lots of potential... Mega mewtwo! What a waste of not using it in the story... The return of team rocket! Giovanni still has DNA from Mewtwo left [He should.. He created him. While mewtwo was still in development Giovanni toke DNA from Mewtwo just in Case] and tried to create a more powerful clone and created Mega Mewtwo... All other Mega Pokemons are a result of Giovanni changing their DNA to create more Powerful Pokemons... Now that is a idea... But instead they went with team flare... I would mind team flare if the story behind them were good Overall: A very fun game and wont disappoint newcomers but People like me that played every single game in the series will feel a little disappointed overall... But I still had lots of fun.. Just... I like Pokemon Heartgold, XD or Black more because of endless content after you completed the game

I decided I wanted to buy Pokemon Y because I hadnt played a Pokemon game in forever and I wanted to bring back the nostalgia of Pokemon Blue back from when I was in elementary school. The Pokemon franchise has come a long way since its initial debut in the 90s but for its time I still think the original games were better. Having said that, this game is still great and if youre a Pokemon fan Im sure youll enjoy it. Graphics and individual moves have come a long way since the last time I played one of these games and its refreshing. The game play is similar to most Pokemon games. You collect badges by beating different gym leaders in various towns around the map with the intention of eventually beating the Elite 4. I like the fact that this game has the old classic Pokemon like Squirtle and Pikachu as well as new ones Ive never seen before. The only negative thing I can see about this game is that it seems a little too easy to me and thats why I gave it 4 stars.. To be honest, I dont know all the strengths and weaknesses of each Pokemon type but even still I felt like I didnt have any trouble getting through most of the game (I will say that I am not through the game completely, but I am near completing the main story). I kind of miss back in the old days where I had to grind for a while to level my Pokemon up or get a certain type in order to beat a certain gym. I never had to do that in this game.

For longtime Pokémon players the series’ debut on the 3DS is like a dream come true. This is in almost every way the Pokémon game my 12 year old self was waiting for. The most important change is that Pokémon are rendered in full 3D models, finally moving away from the series’ traditional sprites. Battles immediately remind me of Pokémon Stadium on the N64 only shrunk to the palm of your hand (not to mention the superior graphics). I had the pleasure of visiting France the Summer before Pokémon X/Y came out so immediately I was able to appreciate the Kalos Region’s design. This new cultural aesthetic really feels like a breath of fresh air. A small, but appealing feature is the ability to customize your character’s in-game appearance through skin color, hair, and clothes. This may seem like no big deal, but ever since I first played Pokémon Blue I’ve wished I could edit the appearance of my sprite. Game Freak has finally brought that feature and we can only hope they give us more choices in future titles. If Pokémon X/Y has one weakness it has to be the story. I know, I know, no one really plays these games for the story, but this game’s antagonists, Team Flair, really are a step down in quality. While the teams have always been Saturday morning cartoon villains at least they threatened the protagonists. Team Flair comes across as a group of incompetents rather than a group dead-set on changing the course of history. The game’s single-player campaign is also ridiculously easy. A beefed up Exp. Share makes level grinding a thing of the past and more often than not you walk into every gym and Team Flair battle with a team that towers over the competition. In short, I understand Game Freak wanting to cut back the hours typically spent on grinding, but if this device is going to become a mainstay in the series they’re going to have to level up the boss battles. Another thing that will bother veteran players is the lack of post-game content. Once you’ve beaten the Kalos Region Pokémon League there really isn’t much to do other than continue filling your Pokédex. Those small problems aside, Pokémon’s leap into the 3DS is a spectacular success sure to entertain old and new fans alike with its 3D recreation of the creatures we know and love. For that it receives my highest recommendation.

Ive played both X and Y, and, as with most other Pokemon games, they are essentially the same game with a few differences in available Pokemon. This definitely isnt my favorite Pokemon game, but thats not saying much. This game focuses much more on the story and adds an interesting deviation from the classic rivals from the previous games. Being the first game for the 3DS, its graphics are, of course, an immense improvement from Gen 5. While Im not super critical on aesthetics for portable games, the animations definitely add a great deal to the overall feel and immersion. Overall a great game, and while I do enjoy Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire more, X/Y offer enough to deserve a place in any Pokemon fans collection.