Trailer Analysis: ‘Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire’
Ryan Smythe ‘15 / Emertainment Monthly Staff Writer
Following the latest CoroCoro leaks, the Pokemon Company released its video reveal for several of the new and updated features in Pokémon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire.
Five of the eight gyms, the normal-focused Petalburg Gym, the rock-focused Rustboro Gym, the fighting-focused Dewford Town Gym, the electric-focused Mauville City Gym, and the fire-focused Lavaridge Town Gym, were shown off, along with the first two Elite Four members, the dark-type user Sidney and the ghost-type user Phoebe.
Each of the gyms received a massive visual update, and look mostly unchanged from the Game Boy Advance versions, except for the Dewford Town Gym. It is hard to tell from the two seconds of footage, but the original slowly receding darkness seems to have been replaced by some kind of button-activated pathway. Upon stepping on the first red button, it switches over to blue, indicating that something shifts as each one gets activated. The buttons appear to be avoidable, so details of how this gym will work are unclear at the moment, but it is possible that some combination must be activated to grant access to the gym leader.
Very little is revealed about the two Elite Four members other than one of their five pokémon. Sidney’s Shiftry will return to his lineup presumably unchanged, but at least one of Phoebe’s two Dusclops received an upgrade to its final form, Dusknoir.
On the non-battling side of the game, some sort of contest hall will make its way back into the games with the addition of a cosplaying Pikachu. Five outfits were revealed in the trailer, and given their presence in Pokemon-Amie, it is very possible that these visual changes will also affect Pikachu’s appearance in battle.
More importantly however is the return of secret bases one of the most fun yet under-utilized features of the original games. Full customization with furniture and plushies will be returning, but the best feature is brand new. Players will be able to customize battle rules within their bases and act as pseudo-gym leaders. How far the customization will go has not been revealed, but this change to online battles is sure to be a refreshing and exciting one.
The final reveal in the trailer is the announcement of Mega Metagross. Its will reportedly be Tough Claws, which boosts the power of contact moves by 33%. This is a huge power spike for Metagross’s signature move, Meteor Mash, and will undoubtedly make this pokémon an absolute terror in battle. Expect to face it when squaring off against Steven Stone, the steel-type loving trainer. If this game follows the precedent set by Pokémon X and Y, its mega stone will be obtainable post-Elite Four as a gift from Steven, along with a level five Beldum.
For continuing coverage of Pokemon Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, keep checking back with us at Emertainment Monthly.