On November 21st 2014, gamers worldwide rejoiced at the release of Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire (ORAS) for the Nintendo 3DS. This remake of the beloved Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire games sold a whopping 3 million copies in only three days. I was unable to purchase a physical cartridge of the game because its debut fell on the day of my sister’s wedding. In attempt to appear sane to my family and with proper priorities, I digitally downloaded the title to my N3DS in secrecy. I have been in a Pokémon state of bliss ever since.
Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire debuted in 2002 for the Gameboy Advance. They represented the third installment and generation of the Pokémon gaming franchise. Twelve years later, the classic story is retold reflecting the current technological and gaming advancements of 2014. ORAS is remodeled with nostalgic authority, all the while embracing the changes seen in Pokémon X and Y, which were released last year. Once again I can travel the region of Hoen alongside my Pokémon, but now with stunning graphics and new and improved features. I can’t help feeling a sense of detached Deja Vu reaching back to my childhood, when I held in my hands my Gameboy Advance, it was so archaic it didn’t even include a backlight and took double A batteries as opposed to a charger.
We all know the formula that dictates the story of every Pokémon game for a portable console. It hasn’t changed much since the original Red and Blue versions dating back to 1996. In case you have never played a Pokémon game or need a refresher here’s a little recap. An adventurer is gifted a Pokémon by their town’s Pokémon professor, either a water, fire, or grass type. Your rival will always pick the opposite Pokémon, the one that has the type advantage over you (of course they always get to pick second). You are given a Pokédex and the objective to fill up the encyclopedia-like technology by catching all the Pokémon, a task that gets more dificult as more Pokémon are added throughout the generations. Remember, “Gotta catch ‘em all”? You set off on an adventure, challenging the eight gym leaders and ultimately the Pokémon League, in attempts to become the world’s most powerful Pokémon trainer. ORAS contextualizes some of the best gaming advancements ever, but it is not without its own flaws. As a player, consumer and fan each individual must experience the game, but as a longtime franchise follower myself, here is my review of Pokémon ORAS.
DexNav represents one of the best improvements in ORAS. This device, which can be accessed on the lower portion of the N3DS screen, is like Pokémon radar. This poses several advantages. Pokémon are no longer only randomly encountered when traversing certain terrain (tall grass, caves, water). When a Pokémon sets off the DexNav, a notification appears on the device and some movement and Pokémon appendage gives away its location. Using the circle pad, players must sneak up on the Pokémon or risk scaring it away. These Pokémon are often stronger than conventional ones, with higher level and better stats. These Pokémon sometimes know moves that previously could only be learned through careful breeding which is tedious and time consuming. In the beginning of the game, I was able to catch a Poocheyena that knew Thunder Fang, a move typically unknown to that species. Previously encountered Pokémon can also be searched for specifically, the more you encounter that specific Pokémon the higher its search level. The higher the search level the more you learn about that Pokémon such as its level, special moves, potential and abilities all before you even encounter it. No doubt about it, the DexNav feature represents one of the game’s most successful upgrades.
Mega Evolutions were introduced last year in Pokémon X and Y. It pushes a Pokémon beyond its final evolution, temporarily for the duration of a battle, reverting to its original form after. A mega evolved Pokémon receives substantial powers boost along with a change in appearance. Some Pokémon also receive a secondary type when they mega evolve. For example my Mega Sceptile has both grass and dragon types. A Pokémon can only mega evolve if it is holding its specific mega stone and the trainer has received a mega bracelet. A limited number of Pokémon can mega evolve and all of them are in their final stage of evolution. The player is given the appropriate mega stone to evolve their starter Pokémon in game along with others hidden around the region. In the anime, Pokémon must also have a high friendship and trust with its trainer, but this aspect has not been tied to mega evolution in the games. Mega evolution is a welcome expansion on many Pokémon species themselves.
Gameplay has received substantial boosts. Only two years ago Pokémon games were created using blocky sprites. Movement was confined to only four directions up, down, left and right. ORAS implements the same style and game changes implemented in X and Y. Now the games utilize the N3DS’s three-dimensional features to push previous 2D games into stunning 3D on a portable device. Online features have brought player to player interactions to a whole new level. Players can battle one another when in close proximity or over the internet by sharing your friend code. Other features such as wonder trading and battle competitions have truly utilized the technology in regards to gameplay.
Soar the Sky on Latios and Latios depending on what version of the game you are playing. Every Pokémon game allowed players to fly upon the back of a Pokémon from town to town. This action was defined by a small animation and the movement of the character as picked on a map. This feature is still in play, but flying has been expanded upon greatly. Now the player can control Latios and Latios as they are flying upon their backs in an open aerial map. Players can rise, descend, speed up, slow down and land freely. This feature allows players to access mirage areas that house rare Pokémon and items. The Pokémon can be called upon using an item calling the eon flute. The significance of this means players don’t need to take up a party slot with a Pokémon that knows HM02 fly any longer. When a friend, Emé Bentencr, used this feature he said “I have been waiting for this my entire life”. I would have to agree game makers knew what players wanted and they delivered.
Criticisms small as they are, impact the player in ORAS. Although, the game has been bedazzled, some gameplay mechanics might annoy players. Let’s review some of these road bumps
HMs or Hidden Machines are Pokémon moves that can be used outside of battle to interact with the environment. They have been a staple since the first games. They serve the function of pacing the player by blocking off certain areas of the world, forcing players to adhere to the flow of the story. ORAS is HM saturated which can be cumbersome and tedious. There are seven HMs needed to play the game. These moves can be taught to a Pokémon able to learn the move, but often are not player’s first pick to fill move slots. There is only one way to make a Pokémon forgot an HM, using the move deleter, making teach these moves to a Pokémon a burdensome commitment. Often players utilize “HM slaves”, Pokémon who are used for the sole purpose of carrying as many HMs as possible and often are not part fo a players ideal team. There is nothing more frustrating than seeing an item on the other side of a tree that can be cut down and having no Pokémon in your party to tear down the barrier between yourself and the treasure on the other side.
Water logged anyone? The original Ruby and Sapphire games were thought to be heavily water orientated. The player must traverse through several forms of water to complete the storyline and access different areas. This leads to players encountering a disproportionate amount of water Pokémon, both wild and in trainer battles. This can lead to unbalanced teams with overpowered electric and grass type Pokémon who are strong against the water type. Players must use hidden machine (HMs) to climb waterfalls, surf bodies of water and use dive to submerge themselves into underwater realms. In my opinion the water terrain is boring in comparison to the breathtaking forest trails along route 120.
Character Customization was a huge hit in X and Y. It is with great sadness to report that players can no longer edit their character’s skin color, accessories, clothing and hairstyles. Rather the iconic characters of Brendan and May are the only choices to players, although you do get to change their names. In a Role Playing Adventures is has become expected to be able to customize your player character and the removal of this feature really detracts from a players immersion into the game. In X and Y the player had the choice of skin color, but in ORAS the player is simply asked “Are you a boy or girl?” and both options are Caucasian. It is a shame to see the inclusivity that had appeared previously to be taken back from players. In my opinion, the removal of character customization was one of the largest step back for ORAS
Our Journey together is nearing an end, but that doesn’t mean your Pokémon adventure has too. I stand at the threshold to the Pokémon league, the ultimate test of a Pokémon trainer. I have traveled and grown alongside my Pokémon defeating the eight gym leaders, thwarting a scheming criminal organization that nearly destroyed the world and a myriad of other adventures. It is with great difficulty, I take a break from my version of Omega Ruby to write this article. In regards to ORAS it is definitely worth playing for old time fans and new gamers alike. As my Halloween costume this year proved (I went as the trainer Red, sporting a plush Pikachu upon my shoulder), you are never too old to “be the very best like no one ever was.”