Time to buy more pokeballs.. (Pokémon: Ruby (GBA))

Member Name: randomreviews

Product:	Pokémon: Ruby (GBA)
Date:	11/09/09 (24 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: new features to keep players entertained and intrigued

Disadvantages: almost impossible to catch them all

Pokémon Ruby is the first Pokémon RPG for the GBA and 3rd generation of the series. The graphics and colors are much more advanced than previous games. Buildings and characters are more detailed. You're getting a good 30 hours or so of gameplay. Like the second generation, it also brings in a heap of new features that expand on what you can do and also deepens strategic aspects.

*Story*
This time around you're in a whole new region known as Hoenn. Team Rocket may have been the villains in the last 2 generations, but this time around Team Magma and Team Aqua are bent on remolding the world using the legendary monsters Groudon and Kyogre. The total number of Pokémon now available jumps from 251 to 386. In general though you still have the same main experience with the same goals - defeating 8 gym leaders to gain access to the championships where you'll compete against the Elite 4 to be titled champion. You also want to try to complete your Pokédex.

*Compatibility*
The 3rd generation introduces an entirely new stat and battle system. Its not compatible in any way with the Gameboy or N64 games. You can't trade over Pokémon you trained in Red or Silver for instance. These games are only compatible with other GBA titles, Gamecube and the DS games. You can migrate Pokémon from these GBA games onto Diamond or Pearl from the DS.

*Secret Base*
There are various spots hidden around Hoenn where you can built a secret base. Basically its your own personal den - you can add a table, dolls, posters and so on just like you could in your room in the Gold/Silver/Crystal games.

*Events*
By attending various Nintendo Events you can gain access to secret items which allow you to enter special islands to find rare Pokémon. Sadly this also has a negative because players who can't go to those events lose their only chance of completing their Pokédex and fulfilling the "gotta catch 'em all" quest.

*Contests*
Now trainers can also double as coordinators who use their Pokémon not just for battle but to compete in contests that display beauty, coolness, toughness and so on. Using various move combos allow you to impress judges to try to earn special ribbons. Your monster's diet and the item it holds can also enhance its appeal in a contest.

*Battles*
Newly introduced are double battles where you select 2 monsters to function as partners against the enemy duo. Your moves should compliment one another and you have to be careful because in double battles, some moves are less effective and can also damage your partner. Items have much more of a significant impact in battle this time around also. New factors such as weather and the environment can also affect battles and the strength of moves as well - for instance when it is sunny, water attacks deal less damage, and when its raining, fire attacks are weakened. How you train a Pokémon - what you feed it and what enemies you have it battle against mold its stats. You can actually focus on specific stats this time around and try to boost them significantly to make a stronger monster for a particular strategy. It also allows each monster to be more diverse in how they're used.

Summary: Pokémon seems to be the only game where new features only get better.