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Pokémon X and Y game review

Whenever a new Pokémon game hits the shelves, there’s a palpable excitement. But in the past few years, the games seemed too much like one another. They were decent but sorely needed a makeover.

POKÉMON X AND Y
(Nintendo for 3DS)
pokemon-box
Gameplay: 9.3
Graphics: 8.0
Sound: 9.0
Replay Value: 9.3
Overall Score: 9.0Pros: Smartly re-imagined; fun online play; 3D battles.

Cons: Dialog can be dull; graphics should be better; not everything is in 3D.

Pokémon X and Y, the two latest games in the series, feel new and familiar at the same time.

While the game makers didn’t reinvent the wheel, they’ve managed to make Pokémon an easier experience that’s still a lot of fun to play because there are tons of things to do.

As you begin your journey to catch ’em all, there’s some stirring orchestral music, like from a Star Wars or Batman movie. You briefly meet Professor Augustine Sycamore, who helps you choose your avatar and shows you a beautiful mural of various Pokémon.

The tutorial here is simpler and smarter than in any of the other games. You’ll be capturing your Pokémon in no time. And you’ll probably level up to 10 within the first hour of play.

I played Pokémon Y and not X because I liked the frog-ish starter character, Froakie. Unless you’re a hardcore fan who wants to catch a few more Pokémon by paying an extra $40 for another game, one purchase should be enough for you. It was for me.

WHAT ABOUT THE 3D?

I did have one disappointment early on: I believed all of this latest Pokémon would be in 3D. It’s mainly the battles, the trading and capturing of the beasts that appear in 3D. And while the 3D comes alive during these moments, it’s still not of the highest quality. The graphics in Animal Crossing, for instance, were better.

pokemon1To be fair, comparing Pokémon Y to Animal Crossing is like comparing a small town to a giant region. Nonetheless, I would’ve loved to have seen it all in 3D, even if it took two game cards to do it.

But there really is so much to do. As just one example, you’ll get roller skates. So you’ll not only go faster, you’ll also get to ride in skate parks and jump on railings. You can also check out TV shows, and while there’s no audio and video, you can learn Pokémon tricks and even Japanese words from reading the text.

Of course, you’ll fight many Pokémon, offline and online. Online, you’ll meet people from around the world and get little gifts from them, like desserts to feed your Froakie. With Wonder Trade, you can exchange your Pokémon online with players worldwide. Online, I saw people from Japan, Thailand, the U.K., Canada and more.

pokemon-300There’s a Tamagotchi aspect to your Pokémon. Not only can you feed him, not only can you pet him via the touchscreen, you can play minigames with him. It’s a breeze to win at the beginning, but then they get harder and harder.

ON YOUR WAY

While the ins and outs of Pokémon are complex, the main ways to play are really simpler than ever. The tutorials are clear. And the game design is precise.

You’ll be taught how to use the touch screen to battle by turns, and how to check out the many potions and powerups in your pocket. You’ll either find these items during your travels, maybe in the tall grass, or be given them as rewards and gifts.

pokemon2-300As you move further on, you’ll check out Lumiose, the big city inspired by Paris (without the crazy traffic jams). The residents talk about more complicated strategies without explaining them. That’s a little annoying.

But it’s also an amazing city with lots of buildings and stores to check out.

Your goal is to collect all eight badges after battling in various gyms throughout the land of Kalos. The first battle for the badge takes place on a massive, dewy spider web. To find residents to battle, you have to navigate a cool maze on the web.

BATTLES AND REPLAY VALUE

Everyone knows Pokémon evolve into other forms fairly quickly. But now you’ll be introduced to Mega Evolution and the ability to battle hordes of, say, Caterpie, at once. As a fight, it’s kind of scary.

pokemon3-300It’s not as huge as, say, a Lego Lord of the Rings battle, but there can be five or six Pokémon against one. (Make sure to take a turn to increase your health to avoid the dreaded fainting.)

You’ll battle high in the sky, too, like a superhero. And you’ll encounter the new fairy Pokémon, which adds a mystical aspect to the game.

The replay value in Pokémon X and Y is very, very high: You can battle others online endlessly if you want to. (Do your homework first, of course.)

Yes, it’s sometimes annoying to get stuck in a battle in the tall grass when you want to move on to the next gym. But think of it as a way to catch all the Pokémon you can.

Pokémon X and Y offer some of deepest play you can get in a game today. If you want value and excitement, this intelligent re-imagining of Pokémon is the way to go this fall.

84 Comments on Pokémon X and Y game review

  1. My comment meant to say “I got” 😅

  2. I have a treecko,chimchar,and a piplup from wonder trade

  3. lvl 100 Greninja! I’m so happy 😀

  4. I got a zigzagon that knows surf from wonder trade

  5. I got a bisharp Lv. 50 in Snowbell city for a jigglipuff

  6. ShrewManChew // January 19, 2014 at 9:40 pm // Reply

    It is still unsure what the next generation of pokemon will be but people think that it is either a hoenn remake, pokemon z, or pokemon plus and minus

  7. ShrewManChew // January 15, 2014 at 9:40 pm // Reply

    SHINY MIME JR. IN HORDE AND THEN EVOLVED TO GET A SHINY MR. MIME!!!!!!!!!!!

  8. they shod make a pokemon ruby and sapphire remake

  9. Why didn’t they make a Hoenn remake in Generation V?

  10. ShrewManChew // January 3, 2014 at 2:26 pm // Reply

    What about the pokemon diancie, hoopa, and volcanion?

    • Pokemaster4488 // January 30, 2014 at 8:32 pm // Reply

      Those are only rumors as of now. It’s not known if those are real Pokémon, yet they look pretty sweet, so lets hope they are.

  11. ShrewManChew // January 2, 2014 at 5:40 pm // Reply

    I got a lv 75 salamance from wonder trade

  12. I do EVs and IVs and got a SPIRITOMB IN MY FRIEND SAFARI!!! ONLY FAIRY TYPES ARE SUPER-EFFECTIVE!(So lucky…)

  13. I GOT POKERUS but then lost it 🙁

  14. ShrewManChew // December 20, 2013 at 9:16 am // Reply

    Shedinja has the most OP (over powered) ability ever
    It protects it from all damage done by the opponent except by status affects, weather, or super affective!

  15. I need to know what the gym leaders are in order first to last😮???

    • Pokemaster4488 // January 30, 2014 at 8:40 pm // Reply

      1.Viola (Bug) 2.Grant (Rock) 3.Korrina (Fighting) 4.Ramos (Grass) 5.Clemont (Electric) 6.Valerie (Fairy) 7.Olympia (Psychic) 8.Wulfric (Ice)

  16. I found a shiny amoongus on my 2nd pokemon in my chain BEAT THAT!!!

  17. ShrewManChew // December 19, 2013 at 8:47 am // Reply

    I GOT A MEWTWO WITH A MEGA MEWTWO!
    (Ps you can find him in a cave in pokemon village)
    (Pss you need surf)

  18. kanto remake

  19. Just a dude with a lightsaber // November 22, 2013 at 5:40 pm // Reply

    Hate how not on DSI…

    • Well, we all wish 3DS games could be played on DSI software, right? The rather crummy selection of DS games is waaaay inferior to 3DS sound and graphic capability, and 3DS games aren’t backwards compatible. But hey, Nintendo has to make money some way!

  20. Pokemon X and Y just kinda stink. Pokemon emerald, sapphire, ruby, fire red, and leaf green clearly were the very bes that no-one ever was.

  21. Pokémon y is better!!!!! They should MAKE A POKEMON Z!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)

  22. Two words. SINNOH REMAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  23. it is cool

  24. I know a hack to get all legendary pokemon in X and Y.

  25. I have no mouth and I must scream for joy! XD

  26. I am a huge fan of pokemon and I still constantly play trying to develop my team, so that I can beat all my friends.

  27. nintendo lover 081802 // November 8, 2013 at 1:48 pm // Reply

    i love this game even tho i beat it in 2 days. and all my others friends like it like sheepshaver supporkchop and slenderman. (code names)

  28. trollingthenewb // November 4, 2013 at 8:04 pm // Reply

    im really having mixed emotions about the game i mean it seems good but bad….. so yeah.

  29. I have never heard of it

  30. my friend wants to get it. heard about the legendary zerneus (X) and upotai (Y)

    • I don’t like the front cover of Pokemon X, that guy sure is a poor excuse for a giant reindeer! 🙂 :-0 (but I have to admit that he does look kinda nice though!)

  31. How many Pokémon games are there? It’s just getting ridiculous!

  32. I think you can get a blue charizard in Y

  33. Gym Leader types: Bug, Rock, Fighting, Grass, Electric, Fairy

  34. Percy Jackson // October 27, 2013 at 2:06 am // Reply

    What happened to Zombietron?

  35. I’d love to play the game sometime!

  36. i got frokie and its on y

  37. very fun!

  38. beat the game

  39. I tried it with a friend, and it is the flat-out best Pokemon game I have ever played.

  40. wierdgamer100 // October 24, 2013 at 5:16 pm // Reply

    i found pedro and entered the xbox one contest

  41. I want to get the legendary deer pokemon

  42. What about AZ?

  43. Actually, you can get any of the three starters in either X and Y so it doesn’t matter which one you get.

  44. No More Girls // October 22, 2013 at 5:48 pm // Reply

    I have X and Y and yes they are making a Z version

  45. Epic game. I got Y version! so much fun. I already beat 3 of the gym leaders. Special torchic Rules! >.>

  46. I think pokemon y is better

  47. I wish i could get a 3DS and Pokemon x/y. They should make a Pokemon z 😀

  48. im going to get the y version and get the mega evolution’s of blazicken

    • You can only get the Blazicken at the special Torchic event. The Torchic is holding Blazicinite ( might not be correct spelling ) and he evolves into Blazicken

  49. I Got X Its Pretty Awesome if i do say so myself Mega Evolution is Really Fun
    MEGA CHARIZARDX FTW

    • I know right it’s a black dragon with BLUE FIRE! OMG! OMG! OMG! Though I gonna get Y so that’s to bad……:(

  50. I’m gonna get Y version, and get the Fox.

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