Pokemon Finally Takes a Huge Leap with Pokemon X and Y [UPDATED]

Pokemon Finally Takes a Huge Leap with Pokemon X and Y [Updated]

by Menashe

As much as a focus there is on evolving your Pokemon through the course of the games, the Pokemon franchise itself has never been known for its fast rate of evolution. While millions of fans have proven their loyalty despite the baby-steps, there have been a significant amount of gamers who stopped following along after a few sequels, claiming that too much is the same. They wanted to see the technology change as fast the developers are able to come up with new types of Pokemon.

We’ve seen five “generations” of Pokemon come and go and finally the fans who have been holding off have no more excuse. The Pokemon franchise is finally evolving forms, taking a step into the modern generation. Not only will the game be in full 3D graphics that accurately captures the cartoon/comic feel of the TV series, movies, and manga with its dark outlines and vibrant textures, Iwata said the game will also make use of all the technologies the 3DS has to offer. That means a mixture of AR, touch screen, camera, microphone, gyroscope, Streetpass, Spotpass, and probably one day a connection with the Wii U.

But don’t think the change will only be in aesthetics and gimmicks. As is evidenced from the trailer, there will be new forms of gameplay, as well. In one scene we see the protagonist swinging along a vine to cross a gap, roller-skating through town, and bouncing on a spider web. You can watch the new trailer below. The trailer appears at aproximately 7:15 in the Pokemon Direct Presentation.

These new forms of gameplay will hopefully add new elements of exploration, gameplay challenges, and puzzles that will make the Pokemon world a lot more engaging and fun to navigate.

But, even if the game only added new graphics that might have been enough. Seeing the towering structures of a massive church, a mysterious laboratory in the desert, and a looming statue you can tell that the scope and epic feel of the game will be different than the previous iterations. The pretty flowers a female protagonist runs through, the sunlight peaking through the trees in a forest, and the tall grass where wild Pokemon frolic– all of these hint at a more elegant environment where you will be spending your many many hours in.

And, of course, there are new Pokemon. In the trailer we saw three new starter Pokemon, namely, Chespin- a plant-type chipmunk, Froakie- a water-type Frog, and Fennekin– a fire-type baby fox. There were also two new legendary Pokemon who, of course, went nameless for now. There will no doubt be countless other Pokemon we have never seen before to capture. The announcer also mentioned that the more you battle and spend time with a Pokemon, the stronger the bond between you grow. We’ll see what effect that has in the game.

Stay tuned on Nintendo Enthusiast for all the latest Pokemon X and Y news as Nintendo trickles out more information leading up until its release Worldwide in Holiday 2013. I took some screen captures of the trailer which you can find in our gallery below.

-UPDATE-

New details have emerged:

- In addition to existing Pokemon, there will be a large number of completely new Pokemon. – The additions will bring the total number of Pokemon in the franchise from the current 649 to over 700.
- People around the world will be able to simultaneously experience “Real Play.”
- The game will utilize the 3DS to its maximum abilities to leverage its overwhelmingly beautiful presentation
- game uses an innovative communication system that makes it feel as if you are playing with other players around the world
- bonds between players and Pokemon will deepen, and Pokemon will become stronger with the new battle structure
- Everyone will enjoy the game’s scenario and music.