Pokemon Omega Ruby | Game Review

I've got to admit it's quite rare for me to get really excited about a game nowadays.

Especially when I'm lacking the required consoles for any new releases. Secretly every time the Omega Ruby advert graced the TV it pained me inside to watch on. Doomed to know that I'd only play the game years down the line when the 3DS would eventually become obsolete. But everything changed on my birthday when I finally managed to get my hands on it. It was destined to be. And in my opinion so was this game. 

From the moment that beautiful revolving Groudon appeared onscreen I knew this was going to dominate my life. At first I was sceptical that graphics would make a major difference. However as soon as you start flying around the map at night and you see how beautiful the scenery is, I was converted. It still has all the nostalgia you want from the original. The Trick House (although way too easy now in my opinion), Pokemon Contests and the Safari Zone are all there for your enjoyment. Although the new features are what really impressed me. 

Incorporating the use of horde battles, super training and of course the bad-ass mega evolutions makes the title even more addictive. Furthermore the remake opens up more opportunities for different types of gamers. If you crave competitive battle you can challenge any trainer across the globe over the PSS. Whereas if completing the Pokedex is your thing it is made so much simpler through the incorporation of the wonder trade and GTS system. 

The beauty of Pokemon in the newer generations is what you get out of the game is entirely up to you. Not to mention (SPOILERS) the after game is a nice little incentive to get past the Elite Four. That was probably the highlight of the game for me, the apocalyptic showdown that awaits the player at the infamous Sky Pillar. 

The not so good parts of the game for me personally was the lack of difficulty. Half the fun was level grinding till your team is so beast no legendary could stand in your way. Now I would walk in and out of a gym in under five minutes, badge in hand thinking "Well that was easy." It literally got to the point that even against the Elite Four I was a clear 20 levels above their highest Pokemon. The game play was just far too dumb downed for my liking as some gamers breezed through it in under three hours. 

Overall after committing most of my time off to explore the game play of Omega Ruby I don't regret a thing. Mainly due to the fact that it doesn't get old. I still have plenty left to achieve and countless trainers still waiting to be challenged. Besides nothing beats the rush of crushing your friends in a competitive battle. Hopefully next time round Nintendo will amp up the difficulty in order to really challenge players from all generations.

8/10