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  • Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    Gotta Play ‘Em All? Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    It’s been quite some time since a major Pokémon release came to home consoles. The latest Pokémon main series entry, Pokémon Let’s Go Pikachu and Pokémon Let’s Go Eevee, have arrived for Nintendo Switch. Are these more casual-focused entries worth their price tag, or are they just pandering to the Pokémon Go craze?

    Pokémon Let’s Go Review

    pokemon-lets-go
    Nintendo

    Graphics

    As much as some people will tell you graphics don’t matter, they really do. These are video games after all, and the visual element is the most striking. The Let’s Go games look absolutely wonderful on the Nintendo Switch. Brightly-colored, well-drawn models navigate sleek landscapes and the titular Pocket Monsters look better than ever. Battles are bright and frenetic, with strong moves having a ton of flashy on-screen effects.

    Of special note are the wonderful little sprites that indicate your Pokémon in menus and at the Pokémon center. The series’ iconic sprites would have been sorely missed, so it’s nice to see them making an appearance this time out.

    Gameplay

    The major sticking point for some long-time veteran trainers is the updated gameplay of this new entry. The traditional random encounters with wild Pokémon are gone, as are battles with them. Instead, you see wild critters on the overworld screen and can choose to encounter them. When you do, you play a Pokémon Go-style minigame where you throw a ball and try to catch the creature.

    This is a fun, if gimmicky, mechanic. While the ball-throwing with motion controls is very unreliable, it feels fine in handheld mode with normal controls. That said, we’re hoping future releases ditch the ball-throwing mechanic and bring back wild battles. We’re okay with the Pokémon being on the overworld screen, though. Random encounters should stay out of modern RPGs in our opinion.

    Trainer battles are the same as in core games in the series, with the exception of some deeper mechanics from past entries. In all, this version is heavily simplified. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, making this a great jumping-on point for newcomers.

    Bottom Line

    The bottom line is that Pokémon fans the world over and going to love this game. It’s a bit simplified and the series still has a long way to go in terms of tightening the core gameplay. The gorgeous presentation and nostalgic music make this one worth checking out, though, so we can recommend it to even passing fans of the franchise. Now, get out there and capture some cute creatures!

  • Beau’s Number 1 App Review: Pokemon Quest

    Beau’s Number 1 App Review: Pokemon Quest

    Beau’s App series. Each week, I install whatever is the No. 1 bestselling app on the iOS or Android store and review it, to save you the effort in case it’s total waste of life. This week a game called Hole.io is still in the top spot but out of now where Pokemon Quest has jumped to the number 2 spot so today we will look in on the number 2 app.  Why isn’t it No. 1? not sure, its a very simple and basic game but it’s free. So let take a look and see what has this game rocketing to the top of the charts.

    Pokemon Quest

    There has been some hype and anticipation following the announcement of the latest game in the Pokespere. The last Pokemon game Go was a spectacle the likes of which we had never seen in the gaming world before. The first vidoe game bubble?

    Pokemon Quest is a free-to-play action-adventure game in the Pokémon series developed by Game Freak and published by Nintendo. Pokémon Quest features a blocky, voxel-style design similar to Minecraft. The game is set in Tumblecube Island, featuring cube-shaped Pokémon called “Pokéxel”. The Pokémon featured in the game are from the original lineup from the Kanto region in Pokémon Red and Blue. In the game, players control the base camp and the pokémon team. The player’s main task is to complete all the levels on the island, beating the wild Pokémon. The game process can be divided into four parts: base camp management, storyline, the Pokémon‘s training and the attraction of a new ones.

    Taking a left-turn from their typical animation style, the pokémon in Quest have been transformed into cube versions of themselves and inhabit a brightly colored — also 90-degree angled — terrain called Tumblecube Island. After choosing a pokémon companion to begin your quest, trainers are tasked with exploring the island for hidden treasure

    Getting Started

    You start off by selecting your first partner Pokémon: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle, Pikachu, or Eevee. Not sure the effect of your choice will have on the game but i choose Eevee because hes the cutest. you’ll attract new Pokémon to your team by cooking. You can cook by tapping the pot located at the center of your camp and selecting ingredients. The dish you create will determine which Pokémon you’ll attract and how many stages you’ll need to take on before it’s done cooking.

     

    Yes you can evolve Pokémon. All Pokémon that evolve in Pokémon Quest do so by reaching a certain level. There are two different ways to do this. One is by training, which involves sacrificing other Pokémon (don’t worry; they won’t die, they’ll just leave your team) to improve another. Think of it like a support group. Up to four Pokémon can be used to improve another.

    The other way is by using Power and Move Stones that you obtain through Expeditions. Each Pokémon has a Power Charm grid, which holds Power and Move Stones. As the Pokémon levels up, more slots open up.

     

    The Final Thought

    Just scratching the surface of this one and there is alot to this game. It is not the average time killing mindless tap app. I realized it is way to in depth for a app review. Im going to dig a little deeper into this game and for all of you Pokemon fans I highly suggest giving it a download. No this wont have the explosion and bubble pop the last Pokemon game had, that was something of legend. This will still be a very popular game and my define 2018 in itself.

     

  • It’s Happening! Pokemon coming to Nintendo Switch!

    It’s Happening! Pokemon coming to Nintendo Switch!

    Nintendo and the Pokemon Company have finally unveiled some details for their new Pokemon games. Pokemon Let’s Go! Pikachu and Pokemon Let’s Go! Eevee are slated for release on Nintendo Switch on November 16th, 2018. What are the details? What can we expect to see? And does it live up to the hype? 

    A New Look for an Old Adventure 

    For a certain generation, the first few Pokemon games mean a lot. If you’re like me, you have fond memories of Pikachu and the gang running around on your GameBoy screen. Gamers in that camp will be delighted to hear that this new game is a reimagining of Yellow Version, the enhanced GameBoy Color port of the original Red and Blue. 

    Yellow version is fondly remembered for introducing elements from the anime, such as the starter being Pikachu. The new games are set to feature the original 151 Pokemon and the original setting, the Kanto region.  

    Let’s Go! 

    The new games take a cue from the mega-popular Pokemon Go app. Let’s Go! seems to adapt the capture mechanic from the smartphone entry. It seems the new Switch games are set to appeal to the more casual crowd pulled in by the surprise success of Go.  

    Additionally, it seems random encounters in the wild will not be featured in this game. Instead, encounters will be visible in the overworld. Battling wild monsters also seems to be skipping this entry, much like the smartphone-friendly Go. However, the game does feature trainer battles! Though at this time it’s unclear how big a role training and battling will play. 

    Pokeball Plus 

    Nintendo also announced a new controller for the Switch called the Pokeball Plus. The ball-shaped controller is adorable, and also offers new functionality for Let’s Go! The Pokeball Plus allows you to store a Pokemon from the console game and take it for a stroll with you. This functionality echoes the Pokewalker from HeartGold and SoulSilver.  

    What’s more, Let’s Go! promises connectivity with Pokemon Go, allowing you to transfer monsters from your phone to your Switch. Nintendo seems to be viewing these games as onboarding for smartphone-only players. Those who were introduced to the series via Go will have the chance to transfer their faovrite Pokes to their consoles. This could entice them to check out next year’s core entry. What’s that? Oh yeah, there’s more. 

    More Pokemon to Come 

    The best news of all? This isn’t the only Pokemon coming to Switch. While Let’s Go! is aiming to appeal to the more casual crowd, Nintendo promises a new “core” entry in the series in 2019. In the meantime, those craving a fun adventure with their favorite Pocket Monsters have a treat in store for them!