Gen IV - Pokemon Essentials VS ROM-Hacking

Dipping my toes into the waters of Pokemon game development, I could not help but notice the lack of resources that are available for Gen IV-type games.

From what I understand, creating a ROM-Hack that goes beyond GBA-standards seems to be a rather tedious task because proper tools for hacking and modifying contents of the NDS games are few and, to some extent, unreliable.

Having mentioned that, I am tempted to gravitate towards using Pokemon Essentials for the RPG-Maker XP, but I cannot shake off my doubts about this option either.
What makes me hesitate in particular, is that I have yet to see truly impressive results from PE projects. The toolset that it provides seems to cater to the needs of a Gen-III-look and, from what I've seen, makes it hard to implement higher quality assets, let alone 3D-assets.

After fiddling around with both options, I have still not come to a convincing conclusion.
This is why I seek your advice, oh wise spirits of PokeCommunity!

*waves* Hello!

Unfortunately, the answer is the same for both options available. It can be done, if you have patience and know about your platform. Many experienced ASM-hackers have been able to replicate Gen IV mechanics (SO MANY) and it's definitely possible to initiate your own, if you can use assembly and understand the data within the ROM you're hacking.

Gen-IV Graphics

Hacking ✓ PE ✓ - Both require you to insert the necessary tiles/tilesets. It is easier to do this in a Game Editor than on a ROM.​

World-Creation from scratch

Hacking ✓ PE ✓ - Complete world building is available in both.​

Extensive Map- and Script-Editing

Hacking ✓ PE ✓ - Able to do in both, again it is probably easier in a Game Editor.​

Implementation of new Pokemon (both, next-Gen and Fake)

Hacking ✓ PE ✓ - This has been streamlined into a simple task in ROM hacking now, again, available on both media.​

High Customizability in general

Hacking ✓ PE ✓​

Click to expand...

Basically, if you have access to a Game Maker of some sort (you'll have to ask over there what's best, I'm afraid) then it'll probably be easier to make your game. ROM Hacking can do most of what PE can do, however it is eventually limited by space and coding (it can also become a bit of a minefield if you aren't organised and keeping track of offsets, flags, variables, routines, etc.). Only possible advantage of hacking would be the large userbase available for support (and the fact that every tweak feels like a triumph!).

Good luck working out what is best for you~

Honestly, one of the few things that keeps me using Rom-Hack instead of RPG Maker is that I don't know anything about scripting in RPG Maker. Most of the things are easier to do with Pokemon Essentials, and they provide a better result, but the idea of learning it from zero kinda bothers me. If you are learning everything from 0, I suggest RPGMaker.
But hey: Rom Hacking has much more adepts here, and you have a lot of tools and people to help you. If you rely on people and feedback as much as I do, Rom-Hacking may be a better choice.

Now the only thing I can think that may keep your from romhacking, is that its much harder to get a perfect ds feel to it. afaik gen 4 and 5 hacking still hasnt really gotten to much made for it. And making a gen 3 game look like gen 4 and 5 is possible its a pain in the butt, due to the limits to pallets and tileset sizes. But it can be done.

Is there any way to use 3D models (for evironments, ie houses, trees, etc.) in Pokemon Essentials?
I know you can make 2D versions of those models, but that would be destroying the point of it in my opinion.

Without that, I don't believe Pokemon Essentials can ever truly replicate convincing NDS graphics.

On that note, has anyone tried using Unity with its new 2D-Toolset to create a Pokemon game?

I suggest pokemon essentials. With Rom hacking you are limited to the limitations of the Rom. With pokemon essentials you can program anything you want and have as many pokemon as you want. Pokemon zeta and omicrom had 3d battle graphics and it was made with pokemon essentials. Why don't you remake pokemon Light Platinum with pokemon essentials.

It seems like Pokemon Essentials is your choice, unfortunately. Everything you're asking about CAN be done in a ROMHack, but it would definitely be a daunting task for someone who hasn't hacked before. The learning curve would be less than forgiving.