Pokémon X and Y: A Game that Truly defines Evolution

The new and highly anticipated Pokémon games have finally been released to the world. And let me say.... it is amazing! There are scores of new features that instantly make this game fantastic.

Lets begin with the good stuff.

Pokémon X and Y are both newbie games. They are the first in he handheld series to incorporate 3D Models for everything! Your pokemon are Models, your waking character is a model, the buildings and camera angles are all 3D. The game also takes place in the Kalos Region, a region that includes all generations and is based off of France. A new type, Fairy, and new double type moves are also put into the game. Super Training is also a neat little trick. You play mini games to level the base stats of your pokemon (not level). New pokemon are always a good thing, especially the new legendary Pokémon.

Now, no game is ever perfect. All new games, especially one like X and Y which use a tone of new features never before seen, will have some issues. The most noticeable issue (To me) would be the lack of 3D models. Not everyone has a battle model. For example, you run into a trainer, but when you go into battle his model is not used, only a picture. This gave me the sense of incompleteness and I began questioning why. But I got over it quickly (very quickly). The only battle models are you, your friends, Sycamore, and the Pokémon (no gym leaders, but Elite 4 is unknown to me). Another problem which bummed me out is the massive lag and frame rate drop when using the 3D function in battle. The games becomes jumpy and the frame drops greatly, but instantly restores when the switch is turned off. Only 2 problems that are completely understandable sincec this is the first handheld 3D pokemon game and also because the 3DS cartridge can only do and handle so much.

A slight problem that I find very frustrating is the Fairy type and double type moves. Some moves now have two types (like fighting and flying). One move that I found extremely off balanced was Flying Press. A fighting and flying type. Fighting and Flying mixed together is quite unfair. Both affect a good amount of types (Grass, Fighting, Bug, Normal, Ice, Dark, and Steel). If you have any of these types of pokemon, expect a frustrating one-hit kill (All encountered battles are leveled where your pokemon are not too high above your opponent). Also Fairy throws the balance system off slightly. A whole new method and strategy needed to master the game (but that's part of the game, so no biggie).

Aside from those the game is fantastic. A total buy and worth the 40 dollars. Regardless of the understandable lag, and new balance system the game is absolutely beautiful and superbly executed.

5/5