Free fan-made adventure offering decent 3D Pokémon visuals but shallow combat and no ongoing support
Free fan-made adventure offering decent 3D Pokémon visuals but shallow combat and no ongoing support
Vote (415 votes)
Program license Free
Developer Xatoku Productions
Version 0.2.3.7
Works under Windows
Vote
(415 votes)
Developer
Xatoku Productions
Works under
Windows
Program license
Free
Version
0.2.3.7
Pros
- Well, it is free
- 3D models and map is a nice change from the typical Pokemon game
Cons
- No longer supported by the publisher
- Combat system is paper thin and lacks the depth of traditional Pokémon games
A Pokémon game made expressly for PC and is an interesting change from what fans are used to.
Pokémon have been around for decades and span generations, by now becoming firmly engrained in the collective pop culture in Asia, North America and beyond. the idea of youngsters heading out into the wilds to capture, train and fight battle capable little monsters seems to be appeal to a wide audience base and through the years we've seen the number of collectible Pokémon jump from a hundred, to nearly a thousand. Players never quite 'catch them all' for long. Pokémon Generations is a game by a third party developer that tries to capture some of that magic but doesn't do a very good job. To add on top of that, the game is no longer supported. Good thing you can find it for free, if you want to give it a whirl.
Game Play
There are three parts to any Pokémon game and this game is no different; map, combat and menus. The map is where you'll be roaming around looking for Pokémon and exploring new towns, landscapes etc. In a Zelda type way, new areas become available when you obtain the means to get there. An island may open up when you have a swimming Pokemon, for instance, or you may need a skill that cuts through trees in order to clear a barricade. the game will give you the tools you need eventually, and you'll probably have to work a little to get them. Combat is not turn based, like with most Pokémon games, has the player click to activate Pokémon skills until one of is the victor. There is a lot of clicking and will have you wishing you were playing a standard Pokémon game very soon. The menus don't vary much, and allow you to do all the application of items to heal, manage and train your blossoming little Pokémon.
Presentation
It's nice to see, for once, decent 3D models of Pokémon. Versions of the game for hand held Nintendo gaming systems tend not to worry about actually showing you the Pokémon you've tried so hard to catch and train. There's usually more focus on the gameplay. Pokémon Generations bucks this trend by focusing more on the visuals with a fully 3D map, main character and Pokémon. The Models are decent, but still cartoony. There isn't an attempt at realism here, but there is an attempt to make everything look nice and be functional. Sound effects and soundtrack sound like they were done on a budget, but work well enough for the game. Adequate but not great.
Pros
- Well, it is free
- 3D models and map is a nice change from the typical Pokemon game
Cons
- No longer supported by the publisher
- Combat system is paper thin and lacks the depth of traditional Pokémon games
Pros
- Beautiful modeling for the creatures and items
- Single and multiplayer game modes
- Excellent battle animations
Cons
- No longer officially supported by Xotaku Productions
- Repetitive strategies for battles
- Many unfinished features
"Pokémon: Generations" brings you back into the exciting world of Pokémon battles with beautiful graphics and a reinvented combat system.
Fans of the Pokémon franchise have been asking for a 3D title for over a decade, but they received nothing more than a handful of console games that generally veered away from the traditional style of play. That is why gaming enthusiasts from the development company Xatoku Productions decided to take things into their own hands and create "Pokémon: Generations." While this title is no longer supported by Xatoku Productions, it remains a popular game among the most loyal Pokémon fans.
Within moments of jumping into the storyline, players will quickly realize that this game was inspired by the Pokémon games as well as the shows and movies. Players take control of Ash Ketchum, a young boy who is just starting off on his journey to become the greatest Pokémon trainer in the world. In order to get a feel for the controls, the game begins in a small field that allows players to use a default Pokémon to fight other basic creatures.
The biggest change in this game is the combat system. Instead of the traditional turn-based combat, players physically control the movement and attacks of their Pokémon throughout the entire battle. This is accomplished with a number of macros and hotkeys for attacks, dodges, and various items. Before initiating an attack, the player must choose a primary Pokémon and then call them from their PokéBall. Once the Pokémon has been released, the battle can be initiated.
During a battle, trainers direct their Pokémon around the area and set them up for powerful attacks. Just as with all other Pokémon titles, every creature has its own strengths and weakness. The Pokémon's hit points and PP are displayed just above their head with two horizontal bars, and items can be used to restore all of their stats. When the opposing Pokémon is weak, any style of PokéBall can be thrown to capture it.
Created in the Unity programming language, this game was designed to immerse players in the world of Pokémon with unique graphics and a new combat system. While the gameplay is exciting and the artwork stunning, quite a few important features have been left out of the game. This makes it an excellent stepping stone for the next generation of 3D Pokémon titles.
Pros
- Beautiful modeling for the creatures and items
- Single and multiplayer game modes
- Excellent battle animations
Cons
- No longer officially supported by Xotaku Productions
- Repetitive strategies for battles
- Many unfinished features
