Pokémon X & Y

Pokémon X and Y make up the 6th generation of the series. The latest installment of the franchise is mainly focused on the community. From the very beginning of your journey into the game, there isn’t a moment where you’d feel alone.

Plot (3/5)
This is partly due to the group of NPC friends that you’ll be heading out with. From the start of your campaign, these guys will remain with you at all times along the way. Apart from that the beginning is pretty much how it’s supposed to be; you’ll get to pick your first Pokémon from 3 starters. But the ones that don’t make the cut will be chosen by your team. Similarly, you will be facing such decisions up ahead which will offer small choices but your decisions will have quite an impact on how you progress.

The companionship, like stated before, is indeed a strong feature, but it isn’t just due to your NPC friends. The new player search system is the main ingredient which makes this game all the while interesting. It uses your 3DS’ net/wireless connectivity to give you a list of real life trainers who’d be playing the game near you. They will all be bunched along as passers-by but after interactions, they can also be promoted as acquaintances or friends. The various sorts of interactions that you can do with them including trading, gifting powers and messaging, are the real treat and the main reason why you will feel as if you’re playing with an entire network of trainers.


Gameplay (4/5)
Other than that, another key feature of the game is the fast progression. Unlike the previous installments, you will now be able to progress at a fairly quicker speed. In the very first few minutes of your game, you’ll already secure remarkable achievements such as your first gym badge. You’ll also acquire roller skates, which are a lifesaver that won’t let you die of boredom while you traverse the map.

It’s good to see more new additions in the series such as the Pokémon-amie, an interface in which you can play, pet or feed your Pokémon. This feature is a well-crafted distraction from the main storyline.
The franchise had long been lurking towards full 3D but Pokémon X and Y have at last taken the final step towards it. The switch to 3D has made way for some mesmerizing graphics in the game. Further enhancements include the ability to move diagonally across the world which is a refreshing change from the rather shackled, four directional movement.

Final Thoughts
With a history as rich as the Pokémon franchise’s, it must be very difficult to manage new installments. However, the developers have laid it all down quite well, and the game, instead of being depressed, is rather excited by its rich history. The latest installment is not only just a monster-hunting RPG but is also a decent social networking tool. And these two key features of the game are set to revolutionize the series to an extent where even the fans that had given up on the series wouldn’t mind giving this one a try.