Pokemon X Review: The Ultimate Pokemon Experience

I have put over 140 hours into Pokémon X, so I figured it is time I write a review. Never have I been so engrossed in a game that I literally play nothing else for over a week. Ever since Pokémon X was released I have played it day and night. This is mostly because Pokémon is my favorite game series, but it is more than that. Everything that this game has to offer, adds up to be an amazing experience that is hard to put down, and there are still things I have yet to experience.

Story: 7/10

The story is not much different from previous games. The premise is the same: go around the region defeating the eight gym leaders to collect their badges, stop a nefarious organization, defeat the Elite Four and become Champion. There are a little surprises along the way though and there seems to be a bit more character depth.

It would have gotten a lower score, but there was a bit more story I found after beating the Elite Four. I won’t spoil anything, but there is another story that is done in chapters starting in Lumiose City. I actually found it to be pretty entertaining and better than the overall story you see in every Pokémon game.

This is Team Flare, the criminal organization in Pokemon X and Y.

Graphics: 9.5/10

For the simple fact that not every part of the game uses the 3D effect, I give it a 9.5. It does not take away from the graphics or the game though. The battles and the main part of the game do use the 3D feature, and it is great. The graphics themselves are full 3D models and landscapes. This is a first for the main Pokémon games on handhelds.

Fans of the series will appreciate this more than newcomers most likely, but the graphics are still great. Each Pokémon is given great detail and the battle effects are top-notch. The world itself looks gorgeous and there are even certain spots that allow you to take photos.

You have the chance to get a “Horde” in the wild now.

Sound: 8/10

The music is great, especially if you are a fan of the series. Familiar tunes can be heard in places like the Pokémon Center or when you win a battle. New music can also be heard throughout the game and certain parts of the story has fitting music for the mood.

The quality of the overall sound and music is solid, but it can get repetitive if you stay in the same areas for a long time. There is also a very familiar tune during a battle after you’ve beaten the game. I won’t give it away, but fans of the original Pokémon games from 1998 will recognize it.

I admit that the score might be higher since I have played the previous games and it seems that a lot of things were put in the game that only fans of the series would recognize and appreciate.

Game Play: 9/10

This is one of the most important part of the game. The reason Pokémon is so popular and so good is the game play. The object is simple, fight wild Pokémon, catch them, and train them. There are over 700 Pokémon, each can only select 4 moves, and there are several moves to choose from, depending on the Pokémon.

There are 18 different types:

• Normal
• Fire
• Water
• Grass
• Electric
• Ground
• Rock
• Ice
• Bug
• Ghost
• Fighting
• Dragon
• Psychic
• Dark
• Steel
• Flying
• Poison
• Fairy

On top of that, there can be up to two type combinations, such as Rock/Ground.

Each type has their own strengths and weaknesses against other types, so there can be a lot of strategy involved.

Sky Battles are another new feature.

I just love catching new Pokémon and training them the way I want. It is so fun finding out the potential of each Pokémon and with over 700 to choose from, I won’t be bored anytime soon.

Multi-player: 9/10

The multi-player is amazing in Pokémon X and a great improvement from the last games. There is a new feature called, Player Search System. Anyone on your friends list will show up under Friends if they play the game. You can connect to the internet and see a long list of players under the Passerby section. Anyone you fight or trade with under Passerby can be selected as an Acquaintance. Acquaintances can be seen at anytime, like Friends, but you did not add their Friend code.

You can battle and trade with people in the Player Search System at anytime and anywhere just by clicking on their icon. You can also use Battle Spot to be randomly matched up with players in normal or rated online battles.

This is great because you don’t have to go back to the Pokémon Center and go through a long process to battle and trade like in previous games. You can also do 4 player battles, which are 2v2 double battles, for the first time in the series.

There is even an option to team up with another player to do double battles in the Battle Maison, which is available after you’ve beaten the game. There is no shortage of things you can do with other players in Pokémon X.

Replay Value: 10/10

The replay value is definitely the highest aspect of the game. After you’ve beaten the Elite Four and the Champion, the game is technically finished. There are so many new things you can do afterwards though.

Several new Pokémon can be captured only after the Elite Four. A new city opens up that has the Battle Maison, a place where you can fight a marathon of trainers to receive Battle Points. These points can be used to buy several unique items only available at the Battle Maison.

As mentioned earlier, there is a new story line, which I find more enjoyable than the normal one. New areas open up after the story, such as restaurants in Lumiose City.

Just training and catching new Pokémon is enough to keep coming back for more in this game. The replay value is pretty much unlimited, until the next game comes out.

Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are amazing games. They are great for long time fans of the series and new players. If you like Pokémon or even remotely curious about it, I urge you to pick this up as soon as possible.