EPTWell, with StarCraft out of the way we can move on through memory lane unobstructed. I think the zero comments and rating of "1" says it all
Pokémon Gold/Silver
Developer: Game Freak
Platform: Gameboy
Release Year: 1999
Impact on my life: 8/10
Impact on the world: 8/10
Game rating: 7/10
![[image loading]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yVNTk9u7GnQ/TsrmkGrcLLI/AAAAAAAAAmg/F_d8MNIa3Ro/s1600/Pok%25C3%25A9mongold.png)
==== Real men play Pokémon ====
Basic Plot
As with every other Pokémon game ever created, you start as a young boy who lives in a small town with your mum (mom if you're not from NZ). You then get given a Pokémon by a professor, and then (with the blessing of your mother) you venture out alone into the world with your Pokémon for the adventure of a life time.
You find, battle, catch and train Pokémon, battle other trainers, and uncover an evil plot by an organisation with the prefix "Team".
Eventually you battle the Elite Four and become Champion.
(This is literally the story of every Pokémon game).
In this particular generation (generation II) the game includes the new area of Johto as well as the original Kanto from Pokemon Blue and Pokemon Red. There are 109 new species of Pokemon to catch. The player starts in New Bark Town, and the villains are Team Rocket.
Gameplay
Pokémon is a blend of a role playing game with a collection game (like the card equivalent). The world is inhabited by hundreds of species of Pokémon who each have different types and moves, as well as a unique aesthetic and back story. Pokémon can be caught in the wild, or traded with other trainers.
The game pans out in two main views. There is a top town exploration view which most of the game is played out in, and then a special face to face view for battling other Pokémon and trainers.
![[image loading]](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Va0lNeINCOo/TsrmeC38CSI/AAAAAAAAAmY/_MDnbJRPlj4/s1600/Croconaw_screen.png)
A Pokemon battle.
A player can carry around a team of up to six Pokémon at a time. They use this team to engage in Pokémon battles, or to battle wild Pokémon (usually to try and catch them). They can also store a vast number of additional Pokémon in their computer system. That's one of the things about the game - Pokémon can be stored in little balls called Pokéballs, and can also be stored in a computer system. It doesn't really make sense and it breaks the laws of space and time but just go with it.
Pokémon have one or two "types". This essentially makes a Pokemon battle like a vastly complicated games of paper/scissors/rock. For example; a water type Pokémon takes less damage from a fire type attack, but will incur extra damage if a grass type move is use against them. There are many types including water, fire, grass, electric, ghost, psychic, rock, ground, bug, fighting, normal, dark to name a few. On top of that, some Pokémon have two types. For example; Bulbasaur is a dual type grass/poison Pokemon. The strengths and weaknesses are melded together.
It's not as simple as that, however. A Pokemon who tries to use a move which is not their type (for example a water Pokémon using a fire move) does the standard amount of damage for that move. But a Pokémon using a move of their type (for example a fire Pokemon using a fire move) does 50% additional damage.
Pokémon types are not all equal either. For example, the grass type is renowned for being impracticle and weak in the game as it is weak against a lot of types (fire, rock, ice, bug, flying...). In comparison the dragon type is only weak against ice type moves (EDIT: and Dragon type moves, thanks (The Doctor)).
Not all Pokémon are equal either. Pokémon have a certain number of attributes they can obtain by reaching level 100, and some Pokémon can attain much higher levels of these than others. This depends primarily on the species, but there is some random variation
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Berries became quite a big mechanic in other games. I have always hated them.
Another important mechanic in the game is evolution. Many species of Pokémon have one or more evolutions, while some do not. For example; when Bulbasaur reaches level 16 he will evolve into Ivysaur who is like an ugly but stronger version of the original. Again when Ivysaur reaches level 32 he will evolve into Venusaur which is uglier but stronger again. You can stop a Pokémon from evolving if you want.
One of the things that makes the game addictive is the collection aspects. You are given a "Pokédex" which is a list of all the Pokémon you've found in the world. It's human nature to want to complete the list... to catch them all. Doing so, however, is exceptionally difficult, particularly due to the next point.
Another important thing is the concept of "event" and "legendary" Pokémon . Legendary Pokémon are one of a kind Pokémon that are often part of the game's story. You can catch them, but they're difficult to catch and often require breeding special Pokémon who have moves that assist you in the catch (moves that put other Pokémon to sleep, paralyse them, stop them escaping, etc). They are usually extraordinarily powerful and hard to find. Another kind of Pokémon is an "event" Pokémon , which you can't find in the game, but you can obtain by attending a Nintendo event. That is, going in person to a place where a staff member from Nintendo will transfer you the Pokémon. Nowdays they do events over wifi, but at the time of this game it was all in person.
(As a side note; I have a friend who has Pokémon White, and as of a few weeks ago he had traded or caught every single Pokémon ever released by Nintendo... insanity).
Another really interesting mechanic is the idea of "shiny" pokemon. They are Pokémon who are an unusual colour compared to most in the species. There is a very, very low chance of finding one, but if you do they can be a collector's dream come true.
![[image loading]](http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-p3mX3pw9hT8/Tsrm5cm2C3I/AAAAAAAAAmw/_Sjf4lbQ7vI/s320/gfs_15878_2_26.jpg)
Positives
The game is addictive. It has a good multiplayer aspect where you can trade and battle with your friends. From this game I remember there was another kind of interaction where you could use the infrared on your Gameboy to send a version of your current Pokémon team to your opponent, who could then battle you (as an NPC) once a day for experience. Very cool. The collection aspect keeps you playing well after the main story is finished.
The mystery of both event and shiny Pokémon is also a real winner for me. It's kind of cruel, to make this almost unattainable thing, but it also makes you want it so much more.
Negatives
The story is arse. It's cliché and childish, and repetitive. I literally skip past every conversation in every Pokémon game I've ever played. The first thing I do is put text speed to max.
The game itself becomes very repetitive. Training up Pokémon is just like grinding dungeons in World of Warcraft: it's not enjoyable at all, but you do it to obtain something, which is actually just part of a game, so it's pointless.
Memorable Moments
My brother and I both had Gameboy Colours. I had Pokemon Gold, he had Pokemon Silver. We traded, battled, and had a grand time.
My favourite Pokémon was my Kabutops.
What was your memorable moment from Pokémon Gold or Silver? (even Heart Gold or Soul Silver, as they're essentially the same game but updated).
