The golden age of Pokemon (Pokémon Gold and Silver (GB))

Member Name: martial_loh

Product:	Pokémon Gold and Silver (GB)
Date:	23/07/01 (301 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: 100 new critters, improved system - menus, etc

Disadvantages: no squirtle! sob...

I played the Japanese version of Pokemon Silver about a 2 years ago now (December 99). I had no idea what the story line was, nor what half the moves did, but I still managed to complete the main section of the game!!!!!! SO in the course of this opinion, names will not be listed, because they tend to differ from the english edition - and I dont want to confuse you!!
The introduction of the games are almost identical to the original Pokemon. But instead of Professor Oak, you have his assistant and instead of Squirtle, Charmander or Bulbasaur, you have 3 new pokemon to start off with - these 3 new critters are still from the same denominations of water, fire and plant, so the gameplay is still familiar to all you pokemon veterans out there!
Like in the first game, you have a rival. But instead of friendly competition like Gary, your rival is a mean spirited character who is worthy of joining team rocket!!!
You'll also see the difference in your item storage - you now have a proper rucksack, with different pockets - so various items are now assigned to the various compartments of your bag! How handy! You even have a cellular phone (your mum and the professor constantly phone you- it is really annoying!), a radio (which you are supposed to use much later in the game!), a skateboard and some other features which I didnt really figure out due to langage differences! YOur pokedex has been upgraded too! Everyhting is so neat! There is the usual map, "cry", special info, andd the menu system used is a great improvement on previous incarnations.
The actual game itself is the same as before. You walk around, talk to people, heal your pokemon in the pokemon centre, although now there are two floors - one for healing, the other for battles and pokemon swapping.
However, the battle screens have been improved by far! The jump to color has brought pokemon into a totally new dimension! Also there are now many new battle animations - no more seeing
your pokemon just move from side to side - they actually shoot the water, string shots, fire, needles etc. and these elements look really good!
As usual there are lots of new creatures to be caught in the wild grass... but it is the sheer depth that nintendo have gone into that surprised me! At night time (yes there is time of day now!!!) you can catch certain creatures - but they are nowhere to be seen at day!! Some can only be caught by sahking trees or bushes!
Certain stores only open on certain days! This new real time feature is an excellent method of keeping experience players still interested!! It also attracts newer players!
My method of play, was to rush through the game, since I did not understand what was going on! I must say that this game is far easier than the old Pokemon Blue/Red. The end bosses arent too hard, especially if you equip yourself with all those necessary items - potions etc.
THe biggest additon to the game is the featuring of pokemon genders. You can now breed your pokemon in the breeding clinics, and you can get new eggs -that hatch after 2000 steps or so. You are also given an egg at the beginning of the game - this gives you Togepi (who is quite useless..)!
THe new types of pokemon include Dark and Steel pokemon -these are very cool - but somewhat hard to find!!
The LEgendary birds Lugia and HouHou are also available in the game - but you really have to search high and low for them! HouHou is a powerhouse!!!!! even if you get him at the lower level of 40 - gold (in silver he is at level 70!).
There are also legendary dogs - very hard to get! The color, the new characters and improvements to the system make the purchase of POkemon silver/gold a worthwhile transaction! Unlike Pokeon Yellow - these games are TRUE sequels. There is no emphasis on that silly yellow blob called Pikachu - these new 100+ pokemon are far greater an attraction!
My only complaint is that you cannot catch squirtle (my fave!) anyw
here!!!!!!!
Oh well! Go but this game if you havent played Pokemon - unless you are gonna wait for the update - pokemon crystal (its what POkemon yellow was to red and blue, but to gold and silver)!!

Summary: