pokémon omega ruby and alpha sapphire review

Omega Ruby is a good Pokémon game, but essentially yet another slight variation on very familiar tropes. The ever-increasing sense of familiarity may be disappointing to longstanding fans of the series, but when you consider the core target audience was probably in nappies when Ruby and Sapphire first rolled around, you begin to understand the continued retreads. The most appropriate way to describe these entries is Omega X and Alpha Y: last year’s gameplay with a 12-year-old story. New Mega Evolutions, the ability to cosplay Pikachu (although, surprisingly, I never had the temptation to dress up mine) and other minor tweaks that don’t change anything in a meaningful way have also been added. There are also some brand new features, like Secret Bases – glorified storage closets for players to showcase trinkets collected throughout their adventure – make a return to the series, but with a few new tweaks such as allowing players to share their hideouts, either via StreetPass or QR codes, where you can chat or challenge fellow trainers to a battle. The game has naturally been given a graphical update, bringing it in line with later instalments. Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, for those unaware, tell the same core narrative as the 2002 entries they’re based on (aside from adaptations to incorporate Mega Evolutions of later games and some post-Elite Four bits, which I won’t spoil here). I’ve played every Pokémon game over the past 15 years, and Omega Ruby, despite it being an enjoyable entry into the series, has made me realise what used to be youthful excitement and anticipation for the newest entry is now juxtaposed with a nagging familiarity. Disturbing overtones aside, I find myself relating to this guy. “Hey! I’m not weird or anything” says an elderly gentleman working at a children’s school to my 11-year-old character as I investigate one of Pokemon: Omega Ruby’s early towns.

Pokémon omega ruby and alpha sapphire review