Pokemon FireRed Version

"How could they destory it?"

Introduction-
If you have ever played any Pokemon game you they all follow the same concept. The whole idea of a kid taming monsters fighting villains and trying to become the best Pokemon trainer is cool, but at some point Pokemon went wrong. The show started to lose its action and become one of those lets all just be friends and with constant repeated battles and same attacks over and over again the show was heading nowhere. The games on the other hand were making it. When Pokemon red and blue where released the world was took by storm with what they did. It had a challenging part since opponents where able to pretty much do anything to take you down and it was just cool. They continued the series with Pokemon Yellow, which was even harder. They then made the next series Gold, Silver and Crystal. The games were good, but way too easy and once Ruby and Sapphire came around it just lost its touch. I am not sure why the makers didn't just combine the sets and make one great game, but instead they come out with Fire Red and Leaf Green remakes of the wonderful original Pokemon games.

Gameplay- 4/10
The game has great control and is easy to use since they added in tons of new features to the game that were not in the first, but it is just way too easy and boring. In my opinion they personally were trying to make it easy to beat since at points when you are about to die the computer will make a stupid move and help you win. For example at one point I sent out a Blastoise and finished off one of his Pokemon. I knew he had a thunder type left so I was all ready to switch Pokemon when he sends out a fire type instead. Come on don't say it is a smart move since everyone knows WATER BEATS FIRE!! Besides that the game is easy, either they think Pokemon lovers are dumb or they want to make it easier for younger kids. Though it takes out most of the enjoyment of the game if you can win every battle in a turn or two.

Story- 4/10
The story as I have mentioned in the introduction is you are a boy (or your a girl pretending on what you pick) out to become a Pokemon master. On your quest you need to defeat gym leaders and stop the evil team rocket from trying to take over the world. That sounds good, but it is not good if it is an exact copy of the first game. Every phrase except for one or two new added things is exactly the same. The game was cool the first time, but what is the point of buying it if you are not going to get tons of new things added to the story. Oh yeah they added in the 9 new islands that have their very own special quest. That still does not take away from the same old boring story.

Graphics/Sound- 9/10
This is probably the high point of the game. The graphics and sound are most likely the best of any game for game boy advance. It may not look real, but it gives you something most games miss. It has colors and great music (even if some of it is from the old game) that can just kind of put you in the game and make you feel good. The sprites are great not on error and even though the battle sequences could use a little work they still work fine. The game also makes each town look and sound unique so you know when you are in a different town and you can just pick it up and realize where you are by either the music or the sound. This in my mind is the only good thing about this game.

Play Time/Replay ability- 3/10
The game is really short since they made it less difficult, because you used to have to work so hard to get good now you can fly through the game so easily. The actual story itself is only about 7-25 hours long depending on how well you play games, but there is no reason you can't get through in less then 10. If you are an expert at the game you may even be able to get through in 5 hours even thought the fastest I beat it in was 7 hours and 20 minutes. The game is not like most Pokemon games in which you replay it once or twice to try to play it in a different way since trust me after one play of this you will realize how much it is like the originals and how it is not as good. If you are as displeased as me you may wind up playing the old version since it is way better.

Final Recommendation-
The only people who really should buy this game are Pokemon fanatics. If you are picking it up to have a good time that will not happen since you will probably end up like a lot of people angry and you will have maybe wasted 10 hours of your good life. So if you get as a gift I say play it since you didn't waste money on it, but don't go out and waster your own hard earned money on it unless you want to have a stroke.

Reviewer's Score: 5/10, Originally Posted: 09/27/04