Do you know when you discover something amazing that, for some reason, completely escaped your notice? Well, this game eluded my radar for years, and it was only recently that I became aware of its existence through a friend's recommendation. I can confidently state that PokeMMO stands out as the best unofficial Pokémon version currently available. In addition to preserving the essence that made Pokémon games so beloved, the game also incorporates online features and some nuances in the campaign.
To start, I have a love-hate relationship with the Pokémon franchise, and I've only played the first four generations. Starting from the fifth generation, things began to get more complicated. I initiated the game with a well-established bias and ended up setting it aside. Thanks to PokeMMO, I gave the fifth generation a chance, and I confess that I was pleasantly surprised. As for the sixth generation and beyond, well, I prefer to think of it as a collective delusion. That said, let's get to the point.
Just like in the original Pokémon games, in PokeMMO, you have the freedom to customize your character's appearance. However, the game goes above and beyond, providing a wide range of options. The possibilities are virtually endless, as there are various ways to acquire cosmetic items for your character, allowing trainers to create truly unique and personalized avatars.
When we finish creating our character, right away, you have access to five regions, which correspond to the first five generations of Pokémon: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova. Each of these regions has its own story mode, which follows the plot of the original games they represent. For example, when visiting Kanto you will play Fire Red's story mode; as you explore Hoenn, you will follow Esmeralda's storyline, and so on. It's basically five Pokémon games rolled into one. Initially, you can only choose one of these regions, but as the game progresses, you can travel between them freely, as long as you reach a specific point in the story that grants access to the ship's captain, responsible for taking you there. Having access to multiple regions was one of the things that caught my attention the most. The possibility of exploring five regions without having to change games is, without a doubt, an incredible experience.
Although PokeMMO has almost identical characteristics to the original games, there are some peculiarities, one of which, as the name suggests, is the MMO aspect. But what does this add to the game? Firstly, it provides real-time interaction with other players, whether during exploration or battles. The game also features a clean and intuitive interface, where everything is organized very well. However, my favorite feature was the GTL, or Global Trade Link, something that Game Freak could have easily implemented. This not only facilitates exchanges between players but also allows you to buy Pokémon and items that can be greatly useful during your journey. Another particularity that I really liked was its difficulty; the artificial intelligence (AI) of NPC trainers in PokeMMO has been improved compared to NPCs in the original games, especially gym leaders. Since your Pokémon have abilities and resources that can be greatly useful to cover their weaknesses. Finally, the battles present some challenge, something that hasn't been seen in the original games since the days of Whitney (oh, how I hate that Miltank). Additionally, the game restricts your ability to level up based on the number of badges you have. This bothered me a little at first, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing.
As for the graphics, there isn't much to say; they are practically identical to the originals. However, in some situations, NPCs have graphical styles that do not perfectly fit the specific region. For example, in Hoenn, the entire map uses the GBA style, but most NPCs have NDS sprites, which can be strange. However, you can adjust this in the menus. The introduction of the seasons system in PokeMMO is, in my opinion, a really cool addition. Although simple, it contributes significantly to the immersion and dynamics of the game. The battles use the visual style of Pokémon Black/White, which, by the way, has a somewhat unappealing aesthetic, but you get used to it over time.
Is it worth playing? Yes. The game brings interesting features that, perhaps (and I repeat, perhaps), we will never see in an official game in the franchise. It's not easy to bring together five regions at once, especially in a single game. After defeating the Elite Four, there is a variety of activities to explore, from seasonal events to PvP battles. Basically, you will always have something to do. Even if you don't play competitively, as I do, I would still recommend this game solely for the experience.
To start, I have a love-hate relationship with the Pokémon franchise, and I've only played the first four generations. Starting from the fifth generation, things began to get more complicated. I initiated the game with a well-established bias and ended up setting it aside. Thanks to PokeMMO, I gave the fifth generation a chance, and I confess that I was pleasantly surprised. As for the sixth generation and beyond, well, I prefer to think of it as a collective delusion. That said, let's get to the point.
Just like in the original Pokémon games, in PokeMMO, you have the freedom to customize your character's appearance. However, the game goes above and beyond, providing a wide range of options. The possibilities are virtually endless, as there are various ways to acquire cosmetic items for your character, allowing trainers to create truly unique and personalized avatars.
When we finish creating our character, right away, you have access to five regions, which correspond to the first five generations of Pokémon: Kanto, Johto, Hoenn, Sinnoh and Unova. Each of these regions has its own story mode, which follows the plot of the original games they represent. For example, when visiting Kanto you will play Fire Red's story mode; as you explore Hoenn, you will follow Esmeralda's storyline, and so on. It's basically five Pokémon games rolled into one. Initially, you can only choose one of these regions, but as the game progresses, you can travel between them freely, as long as you reach a specific point in the story that grants access to the ship's captain, responsible for taking you there. Having access to multiple regions was one of the things that caught my attention the most. The possibility of exploring five regions without having to change games is, without a doubt, an incredible experience.
Although PokeMMO has almost identical characteristics to the original games, there are some peculiarities, one of which, as the name suggests, is the MMO aspect. But what does this add to the game? Firstly, it provides real-time interaction with other players, whether during exploration or battles. The game also features a clean and intuitive interface, where everything is organized very well. However, my favorite feature was the GTL, or Global Trade Link, something that Game Freak could have easily implemented. This not only facilitates exchanges between players but also allows you to buy Pokémon and items that can be greatly useful during your journey. Another particularity that I really liked was its difficulty; the artificial intelligence (AI) of NPC trainers in PokeMMO has been improved compared to NPCs in the original games, especially gym leaders. Since your Pokémon have abilities and resources that can be greatly useful to cover their weaknesses. Finally, the battles present some challenge, something that hasn't been seen in the original games since the days of Whitney (oh, how I hate that Miltank). Additionally, the game restricts your ability to level up based on the number of badges you have. This bothered me a little at first, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing.
As for the graphics, there isn't much to say; they are practically identical to the originals. However, in some situations, NPCs have graphical styles that do not perfectly fit the specific region. For example, in Hoenn, the entire map uses the GBA style, but most NPCs have NDS sprites, which can be strange. However, you can adjust this in the menus. The introduction of the seasons system in PokeMMO is, in my opinion, a really cool addition. Although simple, it contributes significantly to the immersion and dynamics of the game. The battles use the visual style of Pokémon Black/White, which, by the way, has a somewhat unappealing aesthetic, but you get used to it over time.
Is it worth playing? Yes. The game brings interesting features that, perhaps (and I repeat, perhaps), we will never see in an official game in the franchise. It's not easy to bring together five regions at once, especially in a single game. After defeating the Elite Four, there is a variety of activities to explore, from seasonal events to PvP battles. Basically, you will always have something to do. Even if you don't play competitively, as I do, I would still recommend this game solely for the experience.