So, how is it?

[pokefan548]

I'm sure that at least one person here got a midnight launch and is already 10 hours in, once you unglue yourself from that shiny package of Pokémon, would you mind telling me how good it is, and some of your major gripes early on? (Basically, should I buy a new copy as soon as I find my freaking ninja 3DS, or should I wait and buy a used copy?)

 

[becinorbit]

Re: So, how's is it?

My partner and I got 1 each. It's amazing. Already clock 10 hours with more to add today. It's hard to put down. Graphics are amazing especially in battle. Experience share is awesome. Y activated items is pretty neat. Forget about all the previous versions and their 90's graphics. It's the Mario of pokemon..I can now stand to play it with the music/sound effects on lol.

 

[DoctorWhy]

Re: So, how's is it?

I will say this: it's extremely easy and enjoyable to go slow and take your time. I've clocked about 20, yes 20, hours and I've only got the first 2 badges. There are so many things to do! I've spent at least an hour or so just using Super Training and Pokemon Amie. Plus there's so many pokemon available, I've been rotating a bunch of different ones and trying to train them all. So many places to explore, pokemon to catch and train, and honestly, at this rate I won't finish the main game for another month or two with my schedule. XY are fantastic.

 

[Stratelier]

Re: So, how's is it?

I'm probably approaching 20 hours and also at only two Badges -- the Gyms are pretty far apart this time around.

Some of the things I noticed immediately include:
- The game doesn't use 3D everywhere. Most notably, the outside overworld doesn't use 3D (though some interior areas do).
- You begin the game with Runningshoes, you don't have to obtain them.
- "Player Search System", "Pokemon-Amie", and "Super Training" are also available from the beginning of the game, though obviously you can't really do much with them until obtaining your starter Pokemon.
- GTS is accessed directly through the PSS, anywhere. It's also much easier to search, mainly because it doesn't limit your results to 3/5/7 at a time, you can scroll through the entire list. The search results also highlight if the requested Pokemon is registered in your Dex or not.
- Because of the above, Pokemon Centers are very different in design. They feel, in a word, cozier.
- Basic movement is still tile-based, but at least in eight directions now.

Other things that come to mind:
- X and Y save your game data FAST. Like blink-and-miss-it fast compared to previous Gens.
- There are a LOT of older generation Pokemon in Kalos mixed in with (and often outnumbering) the new ones in a given area/route. (Compare G2.)
- There are Berry trees scattered throughout Kalos, and a Berry Farm west of Lumiose. Berry growing has been expanded with features that affect crop yields.
- "Super Training" effectively lets you control your Pokemon's EVs (you can train any stat at any time, there's even an option to reset a Pokemon's EVs to zero).
- "Pokemon-Amie" and "Super Training" include minigames for a change of pace. Amie minigames improve the Pokemon's mood, Super Training minigames improve EVs.
- Skate shoes and Bicycle movement are completely free directional (not tile-based). Skates may take awhile to get used to; use the Circle Pad and you switch to the skates; use the D-pad and you take them off. You can't disable the skates after you get them, so learn how to use them.
- You can only register up to four items (different from G5 where you could register any number) for the Y button.
- TM's are still reusable. HM's again require a Gym badge before you can use them in the field, but are mostly used to reach optional side areas/shortcuts.
- There are a number of little touches here and there, like a Pokemon with high Amie having different messages in combat or some environmental props being interactive (i.e. you're actually allowed to sit down on chairs/benches/beds/etc. now, sometimes with a different camera angle).
- When you select a Pokemon on the menu, you have the option to use an item on it in addition to giving it an item to hold. (This applies to battles, too.)
Regarding the battle system:
- Battles are still about as 'fast' as they were in G5. Graphics are of course much prettier, and the cel-shaded visual style really does them justice.
- Catching a Pokemon awards XP just the same as KO'ing it. XP appears to be shared (multiplied?) equally between active Pokemon. Exp.Share isn't a hold item anymore; it works like the Exp.All from Gen 1 again (half XP is split between all six party members), but it's a key item you can toggle on and off.
- Aside from the new Fairy element (supereffective on and immune to Dragons), some other type interactions have tweaks (though I haven't personally noticed them yet). Certain Pokemon (like Snubbull) have been reclassified as Fairy. Certain moves are tweaked, like Electric types being inherently immune to Paralysis now, and Grass types immune to Stun Spore.

I'd say it's worth it. Kalos is a huge region with a lot of things to explore at your leisure.

 

[becinorbit]

Re: So, how's is it?

I have done 17 hours so far, mind you Bathurst did absorb my attention.... I have 3 gym badges. The gyms are more interactive and heaps further apart allowing for more exploring. Love the instant trade with anyone anywhere. Shame you can't see the characters of friends or acquaintances during game play.. . However I have not activated cut.If I had I would have spent more time. I plan to go back. Only downfall with experience share, it's all or nothing and as there are so many badges you find your team levels way too quickly hence the 3 badges. Mega evolution is cool. You obtain fly before gym 4. Yay. Only disappointment pokemon bank. not available until end December. So no transfers of any pokemon from any version yet.

 

[Supreme Leader Palpitoad]

Re: So, how's is it?

One single word: Awesome

 

[KrystalDragon13]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

 

[MrMeowPuss]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

 

[brentoni]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

 

[MrMeowPuss]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I have exams coming up and AC4 so I'm happy to wait to get it since I plan to spend A LOT of hours on Y ^^ If you ordered X then just buy Y in store or vice versa, that way you're not wasting your money!

 

[Hex Maniac]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

 

[MrMeowPuss]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

I wasn't actually that eager to play before which is why I didn't mind waiting, but after heading how good it is from friends and Tumblr I find the wait to play more challenging. What trainer challenge on Tumblr? I unfollowed my X & Y blogs in case of spoilers I'm sure I will enjoy Y when I play it, but Ni No Kuni has raised my expectations quite a bit.

 

[Hex Maniac]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

I wasn't actually that eager to play before which is why I didn't mind waiting, but after heading how good it is from friends and Tumblr I find the wait to play more challenging. What trainer challenge on Tumblr? I unfollowed my X & Y blogs in case of spoilers I'm sure I will enjoy Y when I play it, but Ni No Kuni has raised my expectations quite a bit.

I'm the same way. I didn't get it earlier because I wasn't sure if I was going to be that into it but now... I can't wait. The challenge is to make a tumblr with the username formula being (trainer name)-(x or y)-adventure and then blogging about the game as your character as you go along. You can find the post with the rules here, and see the naming formula in the URL, but don't read the rest of the blog because there's spoilers. It seems a bit boring but after seeing what people have been doing with it, it looks fun and I think I might do it if I can.

I don't want to derail this thread, so maybe we should start a thread for people who haven't gotten the game yet to talk about how much we're looking forward to it and our expectations?

 

[MrMeowPuss]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

I wasn't actually that eager to play before which is why I didn't mind waiting, but after heading how good it is from friends and Tumblr I find the wait to play more challenging. What trainer challenge on Tumblr? I unfollowed my X & Y blogs in case of spoilers I'm sure I will enjoy Y when I play it, but Ni No Kuni has raised my expectations quite a bit.

I'm the same way. I didn't get it earlier because I wasn't sure if I was going to be that into it but now... I can't wait. The challenge is to make a tumblr with the username formula being (trainer name)-(x or y)-adventure and then blogging about the game as your character as you go along. You can find the post with the rules here, and see the naming formula in the URL, but don't read the rest of the blog because there's spoilers. It seems a bit boring but after seeing what people have been doing with it, it looks fun and I think I might do it if I can.

I don't want to derail this thread, so maybe we should start a thread for people who haven't gotten the game yet to talk about how much we're looking forward to it and our expectations?

I knew I would be into it since I pretty much love ever game released since Platinum (I didn't play before that) and my interest in the games never goes down, just the anime. I'm not sure if I'll do that since I have enough distractions from uni work and I never seem to continue side blogs for very long and only ever use my main blog. I may change my mind but not sure!

Sounds good, if you start it let me know and I'll post in it ^^

 

[Hex Maniac]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

I wasn't actually that eager to play before which is why I didn't mind waiting, but after heading how good it is from friends and Tumblr I find the wait to play more challenging. What trainer challenge on Tumblr? I unfollowed my X & Y blogs in case of spoilers I'm sure I will enjoy Y when I play it, but Ni No Kuni has raised my expectations quite a bit.

I'm the same way. I didn't get it earlier because I wasn't sure if I was going to be that into it but now... I can't wait. The challenge is to make a tumblr with the username formula being (trainer name)-(x or y)-adventure and then blogging about the game as your character as you go along. You can find the post with the rules here, and see the naming formula in the URL, but don't read the rest of the blog because there's spoilers. It seems a bit boring but after seeing what people have been doing with it, it looks fun and I think I might do it if I can.

I don't want to derail this thread, so maybe we should start a thread for people who haven't gotten the game yet to talk about how much we're looking forward to it and our expectations?

I knew I would be into it since I pretty much love ever game released since Platinum (I didn't play before that) and my interest in the games never goes down, just the anime. I'm not sure if I'll do that since I have enough distractions from uni work and I never seem to continue side blogs for very long and only ever use my main blog. I may change my mind but not sure!

Sounds good, if you start it let me know and I'll post in it ^^

Alright, done, it's over here! We can keep talking over there. I'm not good at keeping up with blogging, even with main blogs, either so I don't know, but I really like the idea of keeping track of what I do in the game and what things surprise me and such.

 

[Champion Lance]

Verdict: love it. It's the first game I can unambiguously say is my absolute favorite Pokémon game of all that wasn't a remake -- I loved FR and HG back in the day, and this is the first time a new gen has floored me. I've played and enjoyed them all, but this is on another level.

 

[MrMeowPuss]

Re: So, how's is it?

I love it so far! I'm on my way to the Elite Four, it's definitely worth a buy

Since you seem to be the furtherest, do you reckon X/Y is easier than the past games? I know in a review I watched they said it wasn't very challenging! Also is there a challenge mode for it from the start? I ordered my copy online with the guide so won't be playing for quite a few weeks

Glad im not the only one missing out because they ordered online, I am almost tempted to buy another copy in store. For those who already have it would it be worth getting 2 the same, because my local store only has the version I ordered.

I ordered my game online too, so between that and real life stuff I probably won't be playing before next week. I'm glad I'm not the only one. We should make a group of something if anyone is doing anything like the trainer challenge on tumblr or something like that.

I wasn't actually that eager to play before which is why I didn't mind waiting, but after heading how good it is from friends and Tumblr I find the wait to play more challenging. What trainer challenge on Tumblr? I unfollowed my X & Y blogs in case of spoilers I'm sure I will enjoy Y when I play it, but Ni No Kuni has raised my expectations quite a bit.

I'm the same way. I didn't get it earlier because I wasn't sure if I was going to be that into it but now... I can't wait. The challenge is to make a tumblr with the username formula being (trainer name)-(x or y)-adventure and then blogging about the game as your character as you go along. You can find the post with the rules here, and see the naming formula in the URL, but don't read the rest of the blog because there's spoilers. It seems a bit boring but after seeing what people have been doing with it, it looks fun and I think I might do it if I can.

I don't want to derail this thread, so maybe we should start a thread for people who haven't gotten the game yet to talk about how much we're looking forward to it and our expectations?

I knew I would be into it since I pretty much love ever game released since Platinum (I didn't play before that) and my interest in the games never goes down, just the anime. I'm not sure if I'll do that since I have enough distractions from uni work and I never seem to continue side blogs for very long and only ever use my main blog. I may change my mind but not sure!

Sounds good, if you start it let me know and I'll post in it ^^

Alright, done, it's over here! We can keep talking over there. I'm not good at keeping up with blogging, even with main blogs, either so I don't know, but I really like the idea of keeping track of what I do in the game and what things surprise me and such.

Ok I'll go check it out yeah after a while it can feel like a chore not a fun thing if you have to keep doing it. I might just post about it on my main blog from time to time!

Verdict: love it. It's the first game I can unambiguously say is my absolute favorite Pokémon game of all that wasn't a remake -- I loved FR and HG back in the day, and this is the first time a new gen has floored me. I've played and enjoyed them all, but this is on another level.

Do you find it easier than the old games? and is the region really that much bigger than previous ones?

 

[Jyo]

Except for the Mega-Evo's, I'm loving the games. I love Pokemon Amie.

 

[KrystalDragon13]

Beat the game a while ago, still playing it today! Which is rare for recent Pokemon games for me. I love Wonder-trade, I've gotten a Charmeleon, Fennekin and a Squirtle from it! It's amazing whatcha can find c:

It's not easier than Black/White, but I mean it all really depends on the person. I spent two hours searching for a certain cafe, yet my friend found it in five minutes.. So I don't really know what to say.

 

[SUP3RN0VA]

Beat the game a while ago, still playing it today! Which is rare for recent Pokemon games for me. I love Wonder-trade, I've gotten a Charmeleon, Fennekin and a Squirtle from it! It's amazing whatcha can find c:

It's not easier than Black/White, but I mean it all really depends on the person. I spent two hours searching for a certain cafe, yet my friend found it in five minutes.. So I don't really know what to say.

I've found a way to easily navigate Lumiose city in order to find a specific location. All I do is talk to the taxi drivers about the location I'm looking for. They tell you the exact place right before they ask you if you want a ride there. I decline and go there myself. I bet the taxi drivers regret talking to me.