Review  Pokemon: Ruby
- By Travis Coats
[Contributing Editor]
"Gotta catch em' all!"
Nintendo's legions of pocket monsters are back for another go, only this time for the Game Boy Advance. As the seventh game in the handheld series, one has to wonder what could this new version possibly offer over its predecessors? Read on to find out.
Aesthetics:
Previous Pokemon titles have been designed with 8-bit technology in mind, and while adequate, they never had much pizzazz. Ruby has finally changed that. Using the power of the Game Boy Advance, Pokemon has now been given a new visual lease on life. Unfortunately, certain aspects like character animation haven't improved much, but other positive changes have been made. One such change is color. Gone is the small palette of the previous Game Boy. In its place is the vibrant visual feast that is the Game Boy Advance. In addition, characters now leave footprints in sand and create reflections in bodies of water. Little as they may sound, these additions really add to the atmosphere that draws the player into the world. In short, these new versions are far more pleasing to the eye.
Sound:
The transition of hardware may have given the graphics a boost, but the sound sure got left out in the cold. The growls and screeches of the Pokemon are still as bland as ever. Would it be to much to ask for a few Pokemon voice samples? Not all is lost though. The music is still catchy as ever, and while the main Pokemon theme has been modified, it still mananges to get stuck in your head.
Control:
This part is pretty simple. The directional pad moves the character, the A button activates moves and menus, and the B button acts as a cancel. While the L and R buttons are not used initially, they can be activated to allow easier navigation through game menus.
Gameplay:
If there is one area where Pokemon has always shined bright, it is gameplay. In addition to all of the previous game modes of past versions, Ruby has added a new two-on-two battling system where you fight an opponent using two pokemon instead of one. While not revolutionary, this mode can be enjoyable if there is a difference in pokemon type between the two critters. For example fire and water types make one heck of a team. Also new to the game is the Pokemon beauty contest. Yes, it is as odd as it sounds. In this contest your pokemon competes not with its battle prowess, but rather the way it looks. Finally the cute factor of these little monsters is getting some good use! There are also four other contests your pokemon can enter for prizes and whatnot.
Those modes of play are just half of the new features to be found in Ruby. Weather now plays a part in the world of Pokemon as well. If it is a sunny day, all fire type attacks will get a boost. If it is rainy, water moves will benefit, and etc. However, It seems the day/night system that was used in the Gold and Silver versions has been dropped.
Add up all of that, toss in the ability to run, two new bikes, a villainous new team named Magma, as well as the ability to play as a girl, and you have a game that is filled to the rim with substance and style. This is definitely one that will eat up spare time.
Multiplayer:
Where would Pokemon be without multiplayer? Previous versions of the game had an excellent set of modes for players to compete with, and Ruby is no different. Using a Game Boy Advance Game Link Cable, (Try saying that ten times real fast.) up to four people can challenge each other in three different battle styles. Everything from one-on-one pokemon matches, to full blow four player slugfests are covered. If you have a team you can wait to show off, this part is for you.
OVERALL:
While not much of an evolutionary step, there is still enough new content here to warrant a purchase. Between the one hundred new pokemon to catch and flashy new graphics, this is the perfect game to try out on your new Game Boy Advance SP.
The Lowdown on  Pokemon: Ruby
| Aesthetics: Very Good |
Control: Awesome |
| Gameplay: Awesome |
Multiplayer: Awesome |
| Sound: Above Average |
Innovation: 4/6 |
| Lasting Appeal: 6/6 |
Rating Explanation |
Overall: Very Good!
"A Must-Buy"
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This game is:
Very Good
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IN A
NUTSHELL: |
| If it ain't broke... |
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