Game | | Pokemon Ruby | Format | | GBA | Publisher: | | Nintendo | Release date: | | Out now |
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It has been a while since Nintendo released a brand new Pokemon RPG. Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire have been hyped as two of the most anticipated games of the year for GBA. To simply put it, this game really exceeded my expectations. Having never played a Pokemon game before I wasn't really sure what to expect. In my head I was imagining it to be something a five-year-old would enjoy but I couldn't have been more wrong. I found this game incredibly easy to get into and almost impossible to put down. I've already knocked up 40+ hours of game play and I'm not even close to completing my Pokedex! The most significant changes in gameplay is probably the ability to go on a two-on-two battle. This makes battle a lot more strategical and this feature will be a great challenge for those who love battling. The addition of the new Pokemon in the game also helps to make this game an excellent one. You can capture a greater variety of Pokemon, and you start your new adventure in a completely new continent.  If like me you want to capture every Pokemon, every item and every Easter egg then this game will last you a LONG time. It's almost on par with the Final Fantasy series for longevity.  | | Neon Sighs |
Storyline has never been the strongest point of a Pokemon game. However, this game does have a decent plot with the presence of Team Magma/Aqua (depends on which game you choose). It shows two conflicting ideas from both of the team, and this is certainly a refreshing change from Team Rocket, which have been in the previous two series of games. Of course as before, the typical Pokemon storyline applies. You need to win eight badges in order to win the league. At first glance, the graphics are amazing. I would say the graphics are among the cream of the crop for a GBA game. Everything is captured vividly. From the rustling of the bushes to the reflection of yourself in the water, it's these kinds of touches that make the graphics so appealing. This is a big improvement compared to G/S/C version.
It depends on what are you looking for. If you are someone is more interested in playing an RPG for storyline, Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire might come short of your expectation. However, if like me you want to capture every Pokemon, every item and every Easter egg then this game will last you a LONG time. It's almost on par with the Final Fantasy series for longevity. Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire is a game that will appeal to both old and new fans alike. It is not an exaggeration to say with such a captivating graphics and fun gameplay, the game is among one of the best games for GBA up to date. It has its strength on gameplay and graphics areas. 9/10 Neon Sighs | 
