Pokemon Sapphire Version

"Superb game!"

First let me start out by saying I never thought I would get sooo sucked into a Pokemon game, but this one has me in its grip!

This game has basically everything one could ask for in this type of game; the story, while not of monumental import, does maintain a loose kind of continuity throughout, and adds some compelling elements. Being a Taurus, the whole collection aspect really grabbed me - I literally have to catch them all! There's a subtle reward scheme in the interaction between pokemon and trainer, for keeping the little monsters happy, and getting more out of them when they are happy. I've beaten the basic story line but still find many things available, in the contests, rare pokemon searching, and them even the linkability with FR/LG. The fact that there are many trainers who want rematches with such regularity ensures that even after the game is beaten you can still raise new pokemon to some very powerful levels ( I have recently levelled a Jolteon, Umbreon, and Espeon to levels 50-65 in Mauville alone). The whole Pokeblocks element takes a while to suss out as far as the blending types and the variety of blocks creatable.

Graphics, while not outstanding, are entirely within propriety for the overall feel of the game. I thought they were cute, and worked well for the size format of the GBA. Sound if my only real complaint; it sounds a little too canned and tiny during the underscoring, especially if you compare it to Colosseum, but there again, that's not really a fair comparison. The Audio works relatively well with the game despite the utter "transducer-ness" of the individual tracks, so it's only a minor niggle.

The game doesn't require a massive amount of figuring out, and in this regard is very easy to get into, but the online walkthroughs and cheat boards will be your friends for some of the finer points. All in all, it surprised me, and has passed the resumability test. I can put it down, walk away and come back some time later.

All things considered, if you like the Pokemon universe and general MO, BUY THIS GAME. I am hooked, and am rabidly awaiting a Stateside release of Emerald - Leaf Green is a bit too different on some basic levels, but I am also restarting it to see if I can accomplish it more effectively - I will let you know on that one, but for right now, BUY RUBY/SAPPHIRE! It is responsible for returning a key elemenet of the enjoyment of these kind of small portables which I had thought long gone from me. I give her a 10!

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 02/28/05