Price: $39.99
Rating: E
Genre: Role-playing, Adventure
Modes: Single Player, Multiplayer Battles
Platforms: Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo 2DS
Released by: Game Freak
Release Date: November 21, 2014

Initial Rating: 9/10
Final Rating: 8/10

+ Clean Graphics
+ Multi-directional moving
+/- Remake
-Rinse and repeat feeling
-Step down from last game
-No player customization

If you’re a true Pokemon fan then you know that Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire have been released to the U.S. last Friday. Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire are remakes of the famous Pokemon Ruby and Sapphire with updated graphics and some new side stories. I really think Alpha and Omega are a huge step in the right direction for the Pokemon franchise. Sure, they might give you that rinse and repeat feeling but that’s what makes the game so much better. That blast from the past with new graphics should already be enough to fuel your hunger to launch back into the world of Pokemon. Furthermore they’ve added a boatload of new side quests and features that make your Pokemon journey a brand new experience.

At the start of the game you’re in your standard truck that’s moving into your new town of Littleroot. With the new multi-directional movement you already know it’s going to be a lot better than the 4-way movement system. Now everything doesn’t feel as blocky as the first games but it doesn’t really take away the original feel of the games. The introduction is literally the exact same as the first titles but with better graphics. A lot of the storyline is just flat out better because of the updated graphics.

The thing about Pokemon is that every time they release a Pokemon game, whether or not if it’s a remake, you still get sucked in. And almost more than half the time each new game has a new story line, but the mechanics stay the same. Only big game changing features have occurred in Diamond and Pearl when you could mine with friends. What makes Pokemon so special is that it can use the same material over and over and fans still won’t care because it’s such an addicting game.

Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby feature the all new Primal Kyogre and Groudon. These similar versions of Pokemon X and Y’s Mega Evolution will now allow regular Groudon and Kyogre to perform “Primal Reversion”. This is Kyogre and Groudon’s transformation into their ancient/old forms. You can perform Primal Reversion on either one of your legendaries as soon as you get a Red or Blue orb. In battle Groudon’s type turns into ground and fire instead of just ground type.

Both Groudon and Kyogre’s special abilities as soon as they transform are pretty overpowered, Kyogre’s is called Primordial Sea and Groudon’s is called Desolate Land, each ability has it’s own special effects. Desolate Land activates a harsh sunlight that causes water type moves, Sunny Day, Rain Dance, Hail, and Sandstorm to fail. It also disables the abilities Drought, Drizzle, Sand Stream, and Snow Warning. The same is for Kyogre but instead he disables all fire type moves by the use of an extremely heavy rain.

Since the release of Pokemon, the Pokemon Company have not stopped releasing ways you can connect with people all over the world. Some might say that they already integrated that into the old Pokemons but because Alpha and Omega are on the Nintendo 3DS, it allows players to connect to other people a lot easier than before. From trading with someone in Spain or to battling another person in France, Pokemon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby can be a great way to meet people all over the world.

Is Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire worth it? I would say yes. Both are great presents for the kids and even for the adults! The updated graphics really stand out making this game really worth it, especially for those who played Pokemon as a kid.