Some of the newer additions are absolutely fantastic though, especially the PokeNav Plus feature which introduces AreaNav, allowing you to track which Pokemon you will encounter in each area. While the search for every Pokemon will still take weeks and weeks to complete, it’s a great addition that helps you figure out where you need to be looking. New visual cues have also been added, allowing you to identify and sneak up on Pokemon that leave their tails sticking up out of the grass. It’s a cute trick that actually injects a bit of fun into the ages-old hunting process.
Perhaps the best addition to Pokemon Alpha Sapphire is the post-Elite Four plot that explores the origins of Mega Evolutions, which have also been included. I won’t spoil any of it, but it’s a surprisingly effective story that was an unexpected blast, adding a few more hours of gameplay that I didn’t even know I wanted until I had them.
If you’re an obsessive collector who has dreamed of someday literally catching ’em all, then be ready to squeal until you grow a curly little tail: you can finally catch every single Pokemon in one game. Of course, it will take a bit of trading, training and hundreds of hours, but it has finally become possible to own every single Pokemon. While it’s a feature I’ll probably never get around to unless I find myself on a desert island with a single power outlet, fans will definitely enjoy poring over the map and trying to find others to trade with.
As much as I pick on the series, Pokemon undeniably has a huge amount of appeal in its simplistic combat, adorable creatures and extensive adventures that have been cherished by millions of fans for years. Anybody who has ever loved a game in the franchise will accept Pokemon Alpha Sapphire with open arms, flaws and all. If anything, it’s a step in the right direction for the series, integrating some of the newer features that have worked with some classic concepts that have remained popular throughout the years. Even if you’re a jaded fan long out of touch with the series, this remake serves as the perfect way to throw yourself back into the world Pokemon we all loved so many years ago and still do deep down.
This review is based on the 3DS version of the game, which was given to us for review purposes.
Good
Featuring updated gameplay reminiscent of recent titles while returning to the series' lighthearted roots, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire manages to serve up the best Pokemon title in years, even if it doesn't fix all of the flaws that plague the series as a whole.
Pokemon Alpha Sapphire Review