Pokemon Emerald Version

"A well balanced Pokemon game"

Pokemon is one of the many video game series that is still popular today. While some games decline in quality as more sequels are released, Pokemon seems to get better each time. Although many people say that Pokemon in general is for kids and looks "kiddy," I assure you that the depth of this game is not kiddy. Pokemon Emerald is an expansion to Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire. How does it fare? Pretty darn good.

Gameplay: 9/10
Like in the previous Pokemon games, you're a kid who moved in to a new town. As you try to explore the outside of your town, you see a man being chased by a wild Pokemon. You have to pick one of three Pokemon from the man's dropped bag in order to save him. From there, your journey begins!

The battles of Pokemon are just like any other basic RPG game. Your Pokemon and the enemy Pokemon take turns attacking each other until one of them loses all of its HP and faints. Pokemon can use up to four moves, but you'll have to delete other moves if you want your Pokemon to learn new ones. Each move has a certain amount of Power Points or PP. Each time a move is used, it uses 1 PP. If a move has no PP left, that move cannot be used in battle. Some attacks have special effects that can raise or lower stats like Attack and Speed. Other techniques may cause status ailments like Sleep and Poison, which can hinder a Pokemon's ability to fight. New moves are learned by either leveling up or by the use of TMs/HMs (Technical Machines and Hidden Machines).

Pokemon also have the ability to hold items. Some hold items may increase a Pokemon's power in a particular element or boost its accuracy. Berries are another hold item that can help Pokemon that's in a pickle in battle. For example, a Pokemon holding a Sitrus Berry will automatically use it when its HP runs low. Pokemon can only use Berries on its own. They won't use other items by themselves, like Super Potions. Regardless, a Pokemon can hold any kind of item.

To build a good team, you have to go catch wild Pokemon. Wild Pokemon can be found anywhere, like in caves or tall grass. When you manage to weaken a wild Pokemon, you use a Poke Ball (and other balls like it) to catch it. Depending on the Pokemon and/or its remaining HP, a wild Pokemon may break free from the ball you used.

As you wander in the world of Pokemon, you'll come across other Pokemon Trainers that will challenge you to battles. Beating a trainer nets you money and experience points (EXP gained in trainer battles are worth more than wild Pokemon battles). You cannot capture another trainer's Pokemon. Sometimes, you may have to fight two trainers at the same time! This is where the team battles come into play. In team battles, you use 2 of your Pokemon to fight another team of 2. Some moves may hit both enemy Pokemon or even your own ally! Once a trainer spots you, you cannot back out from a battle. If you lose a battle, whether it's against a trainer or a wild Pokemon, you'll be returned to the the last Pokemon Center you used and half of your money will be taken.

In most towns, there are people to talk to and houses to go into. Each town usually has a Poke Mart (a place to buy items) and a Pokemon Center (a place to fully heal and revive Pokemon for free). Sometimes, there are Gyms in towns and those are the places to keep an eye out for. Each Gym has a Leader and trainers training under the leader. Each Gym Leader has a team of tough Pokemon, but if you beat them, you'll earn a badge, which has various effects. Obtain all 8 badges and you'll earn the right to go to the Pokemon League, which you can become the next champion.

While becoming the champ is your main goal, there's also a side story to it. Team Magma and Team Aqua appear in this game. Team Magma only appeared in Ruby while Aqua only appeared in Sapphire. Team Magma wants to build more land while Team Aqua wants to flood the world with water. Both sides say it's for the benefit of people and Pokemon >_>. However, the way they try to reach their goal is something else and I won't spoil that part. You'll occasionally clash with both teams, so you better keep your Pokemon in top shape.

One of the new things added to this game is the Battle Frontier. The frontier is a place to test your skills and win prizes. Each building makes you battle other trainers with unique rules and settings. For example, the Battle Pike tests your luck as you try to advance from room to room with various events occurring in each room. As you conquer each facility multiple times, you'll earn Battle Points and use them for nifty and rare items.

Of course it wouldn't be Pokemon without multiplayer! Using the wireless adaptor or the link cable, you can trade Pokemon and battle with your friends. You can also play a variety of mini-games with your friends and some of them may help you get some hard to obtain items. You also have the ability to mix records with your friends, which makes some events occur in everyone's games.

Graphics: 8/10
The graphics in this game are surprisingly good. When a Pokemon makes an appearance on the battle field, they actually move around and such, giving it a nice touch. Each Pokemon looks as good as the one before it.

Music: 6/10
The music is pretty medicore, but then again, this isn't a game about intensity like Final Fantasy. Regardless, there are some music pieces that actually sound good.

Overall: 8/10
While Pokemon Emerald is a pretty good game, its replay value seems to dwindle after you beat the game over and over again countless times. If you have friends that play Pokemon, then you'll find yourself making and raising teams to surpass your friends'. Although the Battle Frontier is a nice touch, the way Battle Points are earned is simply way too tedious and the prices for each prize is mostly bizarre. Just like in the other Pokemon games, you might be tempted to catch em' all. Regardless of its flaws, Pokemon Emerald is deep in strategy and you'll constantly change your team around to be the best Pokemon Trainer in the world....or on your block. :P

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 01/19/06