So I bought myself a DS not to long ago. I think that I have already blogged about my DS and how much time I'm putting into the little beauty. Well I thought that my gaming taste may have matured and that I would of joined the Touch Generation and maybe I was a casual gamer like the legions of Wii and DS owners out there who only have their systems for Wii Sports or Brain Training. It tuns out that I'm hardcore to the core, but my tastes have indeed changed.
First Person Shooters used to be the order of the day, those and role playing games in the form of Zelda and Final Fantasy. The occasional shooter and brick matching or colour matching puzzler would slip in and I will always have room in my heart for button basher friendly fighters (Soul Calibur Anyone?). But now my new thing isn't testing my Brain Age or a quick game of Suduko, no, it's a long drawn out game of Pokemon, the monster collecting game. This game is so ridiculousy in depth that it's cutesy graphics belie the truly overwhelming and stat heavy geekery of the game.
I love this game, is slow paced, it takes place in an open world and allows me the freedom to challenge the game at my own pace, there is a requirement for strategy, planning and dedication that appeals to me, but more than that it's really cute. All the people are represented as these stumpy legged big-eyed Kubrick-eque cartoon characters. The things characters say in the game range from inane to bizare, and insightful to absurd, but are always fun. As a demonstration of usability the interface is good (improvements could be made but not without damaging it's simplicity), easy to navigate and to memorise.
What makes this a hardcore game? It's the fact that so much effort needs to go into it to really play it. It isn't a throw away curio like Brain Training, Pokemon training, the in game characters would suggest, is a way of life, it's a whole world to explore and it's an adventure to be had. This is a game that asks it's players to dedicate considerable time exploring it, something I'm all to happy to give it.
Pokemon Pearl is a fantastic Pokemon game. I reccomend it to people who like Pokemon, although it can work wonders with people who don't. 10/10
ReplyDeletePokemon is fantastic! I'm so happy to see someone saying such good things about it. It's so original and the simplicity is a good point, thank you for writing such nice things.
ReplyDeleteI'm playing at the moment Pokemon Ruby in the PC. I can perfectly understand your point. Games like theese, although labeled as childlike, are a breeze of fresh air in a world of intensive game playing. It has all, as you state: I can lost myself in the strategie of it and, at the same time, laugh with the funniest roleplaying I have ever seen.
ReplyDeleteCongrats for your post!
Im a real fan o pokemon.I like it.I have all the movies.PLS who now a new and 3d pokemon game please tell me at emi_2008_LCD@yahoo.com
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