PokePlay #3: My Thoughts on Pokemon Flora Sky

In today's post of PokePlay we look at yet another awesome Pokemon hack that focuses on the awfully cute Shaymin!

Pokemon Flora Sky

Base Rom: Pokemon Emerald

Pokemon Available: Kanto/Johto/Hoenn/Sinnoh/Unova

Regions Available: New Hoenn





Crowned the Hack of the Month for May 2010, Pokemon Flora Sky is an Emerald hack rom that comprises of Pokemon from all 5 generations. There are two versions to this game: Main Dex and Complement Dex. The main difference between both versions is the Pokemon that can be found. In addition, for the Complement Dex, some levels of the trainers are altered and the base stats of some Pokemon are also adjusted.

The adventure starts in Small Town, where the protagonist has to go search for Professor Birch in Mt. Fullmoon, where you get the Sinnoh starters (or Kanto starters in the Complement Dex version). From here, the protagonist embarks on an adventure across New Hoenn. Meanwhile, Team Magma and Team Aqua have their own plans of conquering Hoenn, and it is up to the protagonist to put a stop to their plans.

Difficulty Level: 3.5/5 mousepads thrown

Not a very challenging game overall, as the trainers levels and Elite 4 are not obscenely high. Interestingly, you get a chance to get the first in-game legendary Shaymin, the titular character of Flora Sky only after 4 badges. The norm in Pokemon games is that legendary events often occur after 7 badges, so it was more of a surprise to me. You are highly recommended to catch it, because it is after all a shiny Pokemon (and a legendary at that).

However, the post game is where the honeymoon period ends though. Levels have been greatly elevated after defeating the Elite 4 for the first time, which can prove to be quite tough for underleveled teams. There's apparently a post-post game if you are interested in getting all the legendaries, but it can be very long and is optional.

A Lvl.46 FEMALE Braviary?!
 I call shenanigans! :0

Gameplay Level: 3.5/5 slickness

Be warned: without a walkthrough or guide you can easily get lost and not sure where to proceed next in the game. This can prove a bit frustrating as you wonder aimlessly not knowing what to do next. There are also minor glitches here and there, but none that are game-damaging fortunately. 

Winter is coming...

Graphics Level: 4/5 Beauty Ribbons

As expected from Gen III games, the hack has maintained the same standard as that of RSE. In terms of Pokemon sprites, B/W sprites have been used and this greatly adds to the aesthetics of the game.





Overall, the gameplay experience has been an enjoyable one. It should keep players occupied to the game for a very long time, in part due to the post game and post-post game events.

My team for Pokemon Flora Sky (as of defeating Elite 4 for the first time):


- Infernape
- Flygon
- Ludicolo
- Ampharos
- Staraptor
- Gardevoir




Link(s):
http://pokemonflorasky.com/

PokePlay #2: My Thoughts on Pokemon Light Platinum

Apparently, 4 months+ of rest has resulted in me making truckloads of spelling errors in the previous post. I will try to cut down on the spelling errors.

That aside, today's review will be on another Pokemon hack that I have played. Introducing Pokemon Light Platinum, which is by far one of the greatest hacks made. Most of the hacks that I have tried so far have utilised graphics and texture packs of the base roms. However, the developer of the game, WesleyFG, has incorporated new sprites similar to that of Gen IV games while using Pokemon Ruby as the base rom.

Base Rom: Pokemon Ruby

Pokemon Available: Kanto/Johto/Hoenn/Sinnoh/Unova

Regions Available: new regions Zhery and Lauren







4 legendaries in the first 2 minutes,
and you wonder why Arceus sounds like a puppy...

Pokemon Light Platinum starts out in a whole new region called Zhery. As with all Pokemon games, the protagonist is entrusted with a starter Pokemon (in this case either Charmander, Bulbasaur or Squirtle). For those who are wondering, it is possible to get the starters from other regions. The protagonist then heads on an adventure across the Zhery region and eventually facing the Elite 4, while coming head to head with the evil organisation Team Steam. With new gym leaders, Elite 4 members and new rivals, this game promises to be one of the best hack roms ever played.

Difficulty Rating: 3.5/5 computer screens broken



A difference of 18 levels. Overpowered much. :/

Not the hardest rom I have played so far, although another set of 8 gyms and Elite 4 in the Lauren region after completion of Zhery region does pose a pretty nifty challenge. Expect to be heavily underlevelled against the Elite 4 of both regions, but with the right moves and Pokemon you should be able to get through easily. (Spoiler: Garchomp is still OP in a game where only moves up to Gen III are available, and it did take a couple of misses and 3 Max Revives to finish it off.)

Gameplay Rating: 3.5/5 slickness


Most of the storyline is quite linear so it shouldn't pose too much of a problem for newer players. One interesting aspect of this game is the presence of new TMs, such as Ice Smash (which replaces Brick Break) and Fire Blow (which replaces Overheat). This turns out to be a double-edged sword. While it is always good to have newly created TMs, it can get a bit cumbersome because most of these new TMs are required to clear obstacles throughout the journey. This means you are forced to use these TMs how matter how bad they are when used in battle. In addition, there are some glitches that should be fixed. One example is that when Electabuzz evolves into Electivire at Lvl.40 (this is because the Electirizer is not available in Gen III so they came up with an alternative evolution method), its level drops to Lvl. 37 and its gender changes and the Nature changes to Quiet (-10% Speed and +10% Sp. Atk). I have also read that users of Pignite will be in shock to find that it evolves into Scolipede instead of Emboar. Turns out the pig was a centipede in disguise after all.

Graphics Rating: 4.5/5 Milotics evolved

One of the game's main attraction is the graphics and sprites used in the games. It gives me a feel of playing a Gen IV game in a Gen III rom. Pokemon sprites in battles are also updated to that of Gen V. Expect to be awed by the beauty of the game.





Overall, Pokemon Light Platinum is a very interesting game if you want a whole new Pokemon game. So far, I have completed both the Zhery and Lauren leagues and will be going for the World Championship. If you love Pokemon and have not played any hack roms yet, this is a good rom to start with.

My team:
- Venusaur
- Electivire
- Milotic
- Typhlosion
- Swampert
- Swellow

Links:
http://pokemonlightplatinum.com/

PokePlay #1: My Thoughts on Pokemon Liquid Crystal

Finally after a hiatus of nearly 4 months, I am finally back and done with my first year of my university course. It feels really awesome to be back. I admit I was too tired to update the blog and left this page in limbo, but the 4 month "break" (not exactly a break since I am busy with assignments and projects instead) has really left me revitalised and energised to start writing again. :)

Anyway, I have been testing out and playing through several Pokemon games for the last 2 weeks. At first I started with the regular games starting from G/S/C, then progressing through FR/LG (FireRed/LeafGreen) and finally concluding at Black 2/ White 2. Throughout the years, the games have undergone a lot of developments, and the Pokemon roster has expanded to 649 Pokemon.

So I was thinking, why not try out some of the Pokemon hacks?

After searching the net for fan-made hacks, I found some surprisingly good hacks, and I thoroughly enjoyed myself whilst playing.

Pokemon Liquid Crystal

Base Rom: Pokemon FireRed

Pokemon Available: Kanto/Johto/ Hoenn

Regions Available: Kanto/Johto/ Orange Islands (partial as of 99% complete version)





Based of the storyline of the 2nd generation game Pokemon Crystal, this hack by LaZ and Zeikku is a complete remake with 3rd generation graphics and game mechanics. The important features that attracted me to play this hack was the availability of the Hoenn Pokemon and the expansion into the Orange Islands.



Apparently all Team Saturn members
are redheads...

As with the original version, we get to play as either a male or female character who gets to embark on a Pokemon adventure that encompasses both Johto and Kanto, and finally challenge against the Elite 4.
While the GSC remake Pokemon HG/SS has considerably far improved graphics compared to Pokemon Liquid Crystal, it is nevertheless a very fun game to play due to slight changes in the storyline and the presence of a new evil organisation called Team Saturn. The plot thickens.


Difficulty Level: 4/5 keyboards smashed



A Lvl. 33 Pidgey in Vermillion? Seriously?

I'll admit it, this is one of the toughest Pokemon games I have played. Firstly, it is imperative that you engage in all the Trainer battles and do a bit of training or you will be severely underlevelled. Levels have also been raised by up to 5 levels for gym leaders and Elite 4 members. With new Pokemon and moves available in Liquid Crystal as compared to the orginal GSC, this game may prove to be quite a challenge. There are also many instances where the Pokemon battles are so tough, that I feel like smashing my laptop screen in frustration. (Example: Umbreon as a staller and dragging a battle for 10 minutes thanks to WishProtect moveset. >:( ) Nevertheless, I relish the challenge of the game.

Gameplay Level: 4/5 slickness



Prepare for a storm.

There have been a few glitches here and there, but none of them are really severe and thus did not affect much of my gameplay experience. As with in Pokemon Ruby/Sapphire/Emerald, you get to Dive down to the bottom of the ocean to discover new items and Pokemon. In addition, the EXP system has been enhanced to that of Black/White and there is also the Physical/Special Split as introduced in Gen IV games. Altogether, it is pretty much a complete package. Before I forget, there's also the Day/Night system along with the weather changes. This will affect the different types of Pokemon available in specific places. Expect to find yourself drenched in torrential rainfall with lightning during Spring or immersed deep in heavy snow during Winter.

Graphics Level: 4/5

Wow...this is too beautiful.

Considering that the hack is made for Gameboy Advance, the graphics are pretty impressive and well-polished. I really loved the design of the Pokemon Center. <3








Overall, I loved this game. SO MUCH that I actually played through the entire game twice. Anyway my team for the 2nd runthrough (in case if anyone is interested):

- Typhlosion
- Vaporeon
- Dragonite
- Exeggutor
- Slamence
- Crobat

To My Favvies On MM ^-^

Finally a new post in what feels like forever! :D

It feels really awesome to be back, and I am ready for the new year.

And I got truckloads of pictures for everyone!

Here we go...

For Donkers, whose Spug is so squishy that I accidentally popped it a few times...

For Jess, who thought that drawing her icon would be crazy... Keep it up in torturing the newbies.

For Vissy, who is LIKE A COMMANDA :D (finally the whole pic!)

For Sharna, who is trying to get a Pitana avatar. Decided to draw one for you instead but made a few modifications from the original.













For Søren, I can't draw the fox in the end...so I hope a Necronubis would suffice.














For Draguin, who helped me a lot in the forums. Because MM's version of Penngrince is, in my opinion, very ugly (Sorry uken but you probably won't read this anyway), I had to draw my own version. Hope you like it.

I still have a couple of drafts left for a couple of people (i.e. Fris, Issac aka Juice Box, Breaker etc), but I am trying to complete as soon as I can. Hopefully I can get it done by this month. With all the schoolwork flooding in... -.-

Random Post Is Indeed Random

Finally, after such a long while, I am back for a short bit. I guess one can say it's a temporary respite from the daily challenges I face every day.

Anyway,...

A couple of things had happened these last few weeks that left me very dissappointed. But it is through these mistakes that we learn, and we grow to become stronger and better. I shall not bore you with the entire story of these events, because there is no point crying over spilt milk.

Life has to go on, and lessons have to be learnt.

I like helping people. Or rather, I find it a joy to share my knowledge and experience and help people in need. More importantly, I really believe a lot in karma. As a result, I think I am sometimes not very sensitive to how much help people wants. This may sound confusing, but simply put, each person has their own comfort zone. Once you go beyond a certain level which may infringe his/her privacy, the person might not take it that well and think you may have some ulterior motive in helping him/her too much. And that was exactly what happened to me. As much as I believe that my intent is made clear, but because of this, it has caused the whole chain of unfortunate events.

Then comes the next question: when would you know what the person's comfort level is? I think this is a bit abstract to describe, because it really takes some trial and error to discover each and every person's comfort level. Nevertheless, some people do indeed display through physical behaviour and facial expression if they are really very uncomfortable with the way things are going. Therefore, it really isn't very difficult sometimes. I am afraid I had not reached that level yet, but it's a learning experience.

Speaking of which, yes, I took a step back upon what happened. There had been signs prior to all this mess, and I had tried to pull myself away, but it was obviously in vain (I and I did not do a good job of it.). For a few days, I regretted what I had done, and it did make me question the need to be so nice and helpful to people. I did get some advice from a couple of close friends and family members, and I thought it really helped me a lot and learnt a lot from them. Which was why I wrote this entire thing in the first place.

So yup...

I still treasured whatever friendship that existed during that short duartion. I do not want to make any excuses for what I had done, because it is history. But you will always be a friend.

Lasciate riposare in pace.

Coffee Break: Part 1 -Hour of Power FTW!!!!! :)

Basically, for this new short segment that I am introducing, I will take some of those unreleased pics from before, do a bit of touch up here and there before putting it up here. So these drawings actually ended up in the depths of papers piling up on my desk, or they were left forsaken and forgotten in my folders in my laptop. I think it probably won't last long (I would give this a lifespan of 2-3 parts...)Anyway, I've got one here to start the ball rolling...

When: Sometime in June...I don't really remember. If it is buried in knee-deep full of paper, how in world would I remember? -.-

Story: My language skills are not that brilliant, but I will try to bring my point across.

Sometimes, it really fascinates me to see how love can make people do the most illogical and irrational of things. You see someone put in his/her heart and soul to pursue the person he/she likes, doing stuff you will never expect him/her to do. I think love is like some sort of energy pushing you past all boundaries and limits to achieve the unexpected.

Unfortunately, when the crush/target does not recipocrate and eventually reject his/her feelings, the pain and anguish is indeed heartrending. It may come to the point where your heart is just broken and bleeding away. You feel sad, but somehow, no tears seem to flow out from your eyes.

I think this feeling applies to not just a failed relationship (or attempt at having one). Even between a couple, sometimes when one party hurts you so bad, you will experience the same feeling. Of course, this feeling does not apply to only romance. I think there are times when you are really very sad that you really feel your heart is breaking apart.

I admit I never had a proper relationship, but having seen too much of it, I kind of empathise with them. That was why I sat down to draw this. Anyway, I was undergoing some transition in drawing style, which explains how this picture seems a bit incomplete. I was testing out how to draw the eyes in another way (one which I would eventually and currently adopt), to mixed success. :/ On another note, this was done very swiftly within one hour. Not because I remembered it till now, but because I actually stupidly wrote on my sketch:

"DONE IN ONE HOUR WOOT!!!"

Why is it not released: Even till now, I still had second thoughts about putting this up. One reason is that I am actually worried that people will think I have a personal problem, relationship issue or whatsoever. And I find the end-product a bit...flawed (being a quick paint job, I wasn't expecting to be awesome, oh well... -.-)

I Am Back...! And This IS Why I Am Away For So Long

Aside from studies and stuff, I have been trying out a couple of stuff on PAINT.net.

And I thought that changing the blog design will be a good idea as well.

Enjoy the new cover!

Meanwhile, I need to catch some sleep...the overall effort is too tiring for me...ZZZ