This game has 3 main things going for it:
- The first is that it does capture some of the magic of PKMN, both videogame and anime (I played up to fire red, the POV here only extends up to that point). It is a blatant rip off in some aspects, but the whole "I wanna be the very best", and the rivalries, and the power of friendship (trainer/PKMN), that's all here. So the "devs" behind this, capably recreated (partially) something that works exceedingly well as entertainment.
- Second is the art/H-scenes, and let me tell you that unattractive 2d girls would not make sense, no matter how you slice it, that's very important, even if you think it's obvious. Here you have a departure from a more traditional or even standardized look. They don't look realistic or anything like that (also they don't have too, or should in my opinion), but it's a more "lifelike" style and I really appreciate that on difference factor alone.
Building on this the H-scenes feel more intimate than usual, very primal, and interestingly enough (despite the premise) many characters (girls) are actually keen on having sex. It's a nice change of pace from corruption, tentacles, and the demon lord... Nothing against those, here you have two people who end up having sex and feeling (very) good together, most of the time.
- Third, the ending is very strong, and leaves a lasting impression. Basically, my mental score increased significantly during the last hour or so. The story itself uses some devices that would have been better left alone (it's every movie with a delusional villain, and/or a rogue A.I), but I think using the concept of "soul" as foundation, was a good pick.
As far as things, not yet proven by science, go, the existence of the soul would not be completely outlandish... maybe, and extrapolating some scenarios from that fact, makes for good fiction. That's what you get here, considering the genre restrictions (The reason for all the sex is still stupid, but I couldn't care less about that).
More good things:
- Quality of life- There's no PP for moves. You can always escape battles. You are not forced to fight trainers. All party PKMN level up at the same time. You don't have to forget moves. Improved(?) EXP share mechanic. Catch rate is 100% if you defeat the enemy after the "pokeball". List of "capturable PKMN" on screen as you walk around. All of these are new to me and seem helpful, except the last one.
(Grinding is also reduced significantly/gone thanks to a mechanic called "trainer level")
Neutral:
The H-scenes focus HEAVILY on:
- The virgin who immediately loves the protagonist, and faints from exhaustion during the act.
- The arrogant girl who is brought down a peg or twenty, and turns "tsundere".
Honestly, I like both approaches, but I feel like more diversity was definitely needed (personalities, body types, situations, even clothes). Considering the number of H-scenes, many girls are way too similar. The h-scenes have animations and the art is still good, but it's wasted potential, in my opinion.
- PKMN designs - There's good, bad, cute, stupid, digimon, and low effort, It's a mixed bag, and my point of comparison are some fan games and parodies. The thing is, that it doesn't feel fair to ask for more in this department, so it's not a negative or a positive. It's what could be arranged...
Bad (not really, closer to disappointing)
- There's no incentive to strategize, think about "PKMN's", or their moves. The "typings" are very limited. Some of the convenience mechanizes the game too much, in my opinion.
"Back in my day, gathering herbs didn't give experience, gathering the herb was the experience". (to put it plainly, throwing 50 pokeballs at some legendary bird, while using potions is dumb, but the sense of accomplishment was most assuredly there).
- The translation allows you to understand what's going on, but that's it, this game has enough quality to deserve much better.
- Finally the H-scenes just play it too safe and close to "vanilla" for my taste.
(Must I remind you that Agatha was in the elite 4, and that women over 25 can train PKMN too? Misty is great, but Lorelei deserves some sweet MILF action !) I just want more and different types of 2d girls.
Overall the game was firmly entrenched at an 8 out of 10 score for most of its duration, but the ending is what I will remember from this, and since I liked it, this is a 9/10. I would recommend this if you like PKMN, but also if you prefer to stay close to "safe tags" (there's very little "extreme" here, and it's optional or outright hidden)
- The first is that it does capture some of the magic of PKMN, both videogame and anime (I played up to fire red, the POV here only extends up to that point). It is a blatant rip off in some aspects, but the whole "I wanna be the very best", and the rivalries, and the power of friendship (trainer/PKMN), that's all here. So the "devs" behind this, capably recreated (partially) something that works exceedingly well as entertainment.
- Second is the art/H-scenes, and let me tell you that unattractive 2d girls would not make sense, no matter how you slice it, that's very important, even if you think it's obvious. Here you have a departure from a more traditional or even standardized look. They don't look realistic or anything like that (also they don't have too, or should in my opinion), but it's a more "lifelike" style and I really appreciate that on difference factor alone.
Building on this the H-scenes feel more intimate than usual, very primal, and interestingly enough (despite the premise) many characters (girls) are actually keen on having sex. It's a nice change of pace from corruption, tentacles, and the demon lord... Nothing against those, here you have two people who end up having sex and feeling (very) good together, most of the time.
- Third, the ending is very strong, and leaves a lasting impression. Basically, my mental score increased significantly during the last hour or so. The story itself uses some devices that would have been better left alone (it's every movie with a delusional villain, and/or a rogue A.I), but I think using the concept of "soul" as foundation, was a good pick.
As far as things, not yet proven by science, go, the existence of the soul would not be completely outlandish... maybe, and extrapolating some scenarios from that fact, makes for good fiction. That's what you get here, considering the genre restrictions (The reason for all the sex is still stupid, but I couldn't care less about that).
More good things:
- Quality of life- There's no PP for moves. You can always escape battles. You are not forced to fight trainers. All party PKMN level up at the same time. You don't have to forget moves. Improved(?) EXP share mechanic. Catch rate is 100% if you defeat the enemy after the "pokeball". List of "capturable PKMN" on screen as you walk around. All of these are new to me and seem helpful, except the last one.
(Grinding is also reduced significantly/gone thanks to a mechanic called "trainer level")
Neutral:
The H-scenes focus HEAVILY on:
- The virgin who immediately loves the protagonist, and faints from exhaustion during the act.
- The arrogant girl who is brought down a peg or twenty, and turns "tsundere".
Honestly, I like both approaches, but I feel like more diversity was definitely needed (personalities, body types, situations, even clothes). Considering the number of H-scenes, many girls are way too similar. The h-scenes have animations and the art is still good, but it's wasted potential, in my opinion.
- PKMN designs - There's good, bad, cute, stupid, digimon, and low effort, It's a mixed bag, and my point of comparison are some fan games and parodies. The thing is, that it doesn't feel fair to ask for more in this department, so it's not a negative or a positive. It's what could be arranged...
Bad (not really, closer to disappointing)
- There's no incentive to strategize, think about "PKMN's", or their moves. The "typings" are very limited. Some of the convenience mechanizes the game too much, in my opinion.
"Back in my day, gathering herbs didn't give experience, gathering the herb was the experience". (to put it plainly, throwing 50 pokeballs at some legendary bird, while using potions is dumb, but the sense of accomplishment was most assuredly there).
- The translation allows you to understand what's going on, but that's it, this game has enough quality to deserve much better.
- Finally the H-scenes just play it too safe and close to "vanilla" for my taste.
(Must I remind you that Agatha was in the elite 4, and that women over 25 can train PKMN too? Misty is great, but Lorelei deserves some sweet MILF action !) I just want more and different types of 2d girls.
Overall the game was firmly entrenched at an 8 out of 10 score for most of its duration, but the ending is what I will remember from this, and since I liked it, this is a 9/10. I would recommend this if you like PKMN, but also if you prefer to stay close to "safe tags" (there's very little "extreme" here, and it's optional or outright hidden)