HeartGold and SoulSilver- a return to form or a lazy rehash?: Difference between revisions

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{{Article|
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type=opinion |
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caption=English HeartGold and SoulSilver Logos |
caption=English HeartGold and SoulSilver Logos |
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[[File:HeartGold_SoulSilver_Logo.png|thumb|English HeartGold and SoulSilver Logos]]
It has been nearly a decade since the North American release of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver}}. It has also been nearly a decade since {{bp|Game Freak}} and {{bp|Nintendo}} wowed me with a new installment of the series. The follow-ups to Gold and Silver, {{bp|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire}}, were the first real misstep in the series. The first games to have serious flaws. The first games in the series I found to be a chore to complete.
It has been nearly a decade since the North American release of {{bp|Pokémon Gold and Silver}}. It has also been nearly a decade since {{bp|Game Freak}} and {{bp|Nintendo}} has wowed me with a new installment of the series. The follow-ups to Gold and Silver, {{bp|Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire}}, were the first real misstep in the series. The first games to have serious flaws. The first games in the series I found to be a chore to complete.


Before the release of a true sequel, we saw the release of enhanced-remakes of the original {{bp|Pokémon Red and Green}}, {{bp|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen}}. These games, being nothing more than the original games with a fresh coat of paint, confirmed suspicions I had while playing Sapphire; Game Freak had begun coasting. They had started to disregard what made the series so iconic, so acclaimed, so addictive. Pokémon had entered a common phase of widely popular series, one that many never get out of.
Before the release of a true sequel, we saw the release of enhanced-remakes of the original {{bp|Pokémon Red and Green}}, {{bp|Pokémon FireRed and LeafGreen}}. These games, being nothing more than the original games with a fresh coat of paint, confirmed suspicions I had while playing Sapphire; Game Freak had begun coasting. They had started to disregard what made the series so iconic, so acclaimed, so addictive. Pokémon had entered a common phase of widely popular series, one that many never get out of.
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The visceral reaction to the game when first played is how beautiful it is, even compared to Diamond, Pearl and {{bp|Pokemon Platinum|Platinum}} (which only sheds more light on D/P/Pt's experimental nature). The Johto region is simply one of the most well designed in gaming, period. Not just in the Pokémon series. There is a fluidity there, and aesthetically, a fusion of actual culture and imagination that rarely is seen. HeartGold and SoulSilver contain a gorgeous version of this region. One that really brings to the surface the DS's capabilities.
The visceral reaction to the game when first played is how beautiful it is, even compared to Diamond, Pearl and {{bp|Pokemon Platinum|Platinum}} (which only sheds more light on D/P/Pt's experimental nature). The Johto region is simply one of the most well designed in gaming, period. Not just in the Pokémon series. There is a fluidity there, and aesthetically, a fusion of actual culture and imagination that rarely is seen. HeartGold and SoulSilver contain a gorgeous version of this region. One that really brings to the surface the DS's capabilities.
 
[[File:HeartGold SoulSilver Logo.png|thumb|left|English HeartGold and SoulSilver logos]]
As with FireRed and LeafGreen, each town, route, etc. gets its background music remixed for the DS. Most of these work perfectly ({{bp|New Bark Town}}, {{bp|Eckruteak City}} and {{bp|Cianwood City}} stand out as pieces I'd listen to outside of the game), but there are a few ({{bp|Goldenrod City}}, {{bp|Vermilion City}}, and {{bp|Cinnabar Island}} in particular), which have remixes that borderline annoying. These tracks don't take away from the core experience, though, so they aren't real detractions.  
As with FireRed and LeafGreen, each town, route, etc. gets its background music remixed for the DS. Most of these work perfectly ({{bp|New Bark Town}}, {{bp|Ecruteak City}} and {{bp|Cianwood City}} stand out as pieces I'd listen to outside of the game), but there are a few ({{bp|Goldenrod City}}, {{bp|Vermilion City}}, and {{bp|Cinnabar Island}} in particular), which have remixes that borderline annoying. These tracks don't take away from the core experience, though, so they aren't real detractions.  


I'm not a fan of {{bp|Pokemon Contest|Contests}}. They have never been refined enough to be anything more than distractions from the progression of the main game. The new {{bp|Pokéthlon}} falls under this same description. Though I will say, given that there is more direct interaction though a series of mini games, it is a much more entertaining distraction than Contests.
I'm not a fan of {{bp|Pokemon Contest|Contests}}. They have never been refined enough to be anything more than distractions from the progression of the main game. The new {{bp|Pokéthlon}} falls under this same description. Though I will say, given that there is more direct interaction though a series of mini games, it is a much more entertaining distraction than Contests.
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