Pokemon X and Y Reviews
Pokemon has been a big part of my life since it first arrived on US shores in 1998. It is a game that has captured the imaginations of children and adults alike. For the first time in the series\’ history, Pokemon X has made the full transition to 3D. It also offers advancements to the series as never before seen, changing the battle formula and how we battle each other online.
It's the same old Pokemon that you know and love, but shinier than ever thanks to the graphics. X and Y doesn't shake the age-old formula up when you examine it closely, but it really doesn't need to as it shifts the franchise into a more modern age.
Pokémon X and Y isn't quite an impassioned love letter to the series, but it's damn close. Players can finally experience this world in full polygonal 3D, and despite its remaining grid-based roots, the sense of freedom and openness is tangible and real.
Pokemon X/Y doesn't change how it plays over Black/White, Diamond/Pearl, and so on, but it looks great and is still a fun, satisfying time-sink for your 3DS.
Welcome to the Kalos Region, where Pokemon has truly evolved.
For the most part, it's another fantastic entry to the series. Moreover, it's a great game to re-introduce old fans of the series with its graphical and mechanical upgrades. If Pokemon X or Y interests you, consider picking it up; unless you're completely turned off of the franchise, you'll find much to enjoy in this 3DS game.
Revitalizes the aging franchise and breathes new life into old mechanics.
Pokemon X & Y set a new standard for Pokemon games to come. The advances in this game are well worth the $40, and if you’re interested in the online aspect, I’m happy to say that it is booming and has hours of entertainment to offer. It has improve upon the series in almost every way, so if you’re a fan who has been dragging your feet to buy X or Y, because they’ve been waiting for one of the games to finally break the monotony and change the series in some major ways, then this is the game you’ve been waiting for. There has never been a better time to set out on the never-ending quest to Catch ‘Em All.
It’s freakn Pokemon. On the 3DS. Hell yes.
Pokémon X and Y is an enjoyable but uneven experience.
Outside of the new social features Pokemon Y and its counterpart do largely stick to the traditional JRPG formula and mechanics that have made the series the global phenomenon it has become. Hardcore Poke fans will still find a lot to like in this instalment and even players who may have lost their way with the series might find the new features and major visual upgrades worth jumping back on the wagon for. It may be iterative and lacking in radical innovations but Pokemon Y is still immensely fun, even if catching them all from a fresh start does feel more than a little daunting.
The core Pokémon franchise has largely remained unchanged, both graphically and mechanically, since its inception with Pokémon Red and Blue. While Game Freak has kept adding on various elements to keep the games fresh, each new title didn’t really present a whole lot in terms of variety. I also admit that both Pokémon Black and White 1 and 2 completely lost my interest. I never even got past the second gym. It was Pokémon fatigue at its worst. Pokémon X and Y changed all of that. I was a fan again. I couldn’t stop playing. I couldn’t stop catching and collecting.
Rather than being weighed down by it’s own lengthy history, the game is uplifted by it. Pokémon X/Y is part monster-hunting RPG, part social networking tool, and the two mesh nicely together. Not a revolution for the series, but enough of an improvement that even the most jaded fan might regain that old twinkle in the eye.
This game is absolutely stellar. The new visuals and additional features result in an incredibly immersive adventure. The longer lasting story line (depending on gameplay) this time around, complete with the "end game content", will leave even the most skeptical fan wanting more. With everything that is packed into this game, a $40 purchase should definitely be considered. This game comes at the highest recommendation, and will be a powerhouse on the Nintendo 3DS consoles.
At a glance Pokémon X and Pokémon Y did seem like a standard leap in numbers and a new look, but upon diving into the new world, it's more than just a pair of new Pokémon games. Developed, refined and streamlined, the new 3DS titles are a testament to Game Freak's ability to maintain the core Pokémon strengths but keep the action fresh and still exciting after fifteen years. If you've yet to play a Pokémon title, are a lifelong fan or dipped out several generations back, this is the generation to embrace. Pokémon X and Pokémon Y are a tantalising pair of games that simply must be played on the 3DS and 2DS.
I'll have more to say when I beat it, especially because these third-version games always seem to load the super-cool, crazy stuff into the back half. Right now, Pokemon Ultra Sun comes across as the same game as last year with a bunch of new stuff on top. I dig it.
Pokemon X and Y set a brave new standard for the series on its new platform, delivering a host of new features, expressive 3D visuals and sensational online functionality for future games to build on.
I also spent far too much time with character customization after I beat the game, pouring thousands of dollars into a better wardrobe. Overall, though, this generation didn’t quite live up to my, perhaps high, expectations. Yes it was very fun and enjoyable, and will undoubtedly be a great time sink as I strive to complete my Pokédex. But it also had its share of small problems that could have been fixed. If nothing else, however, Pokémon Y should serve as a wonderful new starting point for the series. It may not have been the definitive experience I was hoping for, but it did a lot of work modernizing the series for future generations. That makes Pokémon Y a must-buy game for any Pokémon fan. Now, to finish Super Training my Gourgeist!
"3D models are welcome."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Despite the nagging feeling that something's missing, Pokémon X and Y make some huge leaps forward for both the competitive and casual crowds. I just wish these games felt as complete as their predecessors.