Emerald hack: Pokescape [FINAL RELEASE v1.0.4] - A Pokemon Escape Room

[wiz1989]

Hello, very excited to play this game! The ROM is booting perfectly fine on Linux with mGBA, but not on Android 10 using MyBoy! 1.8.0. Specifically, it freezes after hitting New Game. Any tips to make it work? Thanks!

Hey, I definitely suggest using mGBA if you are using an emulator. I have heard that mobile emus don't work as expected but this seems to be a general issue. Maybe it is related to decomp hacks, I can't really tell. But I am afraid I can't do anything about this. :/

 

[alemazzini]

I really enjoyed this, it's not too complicated while still being satisfying to piece together, although I think an extra hint about May's lost item couldn't hurt. I found it quickly but it was kind of sheer luck :p Probably took me an hour and a half or so, but my final time at the end said like 16 hours for some reason lol. I did use a lot of save states to get through the last battle, which I also ended up RNG cheesing to win. I got what I was probably supposed to do afterwards, funnily enough. But honestly gives me incentive to do it better if and when you update again!

I have a couple thoughts, including a suggestion about the sweet apple:

Spoiler:

If you catch Scyther and interact with the tree, it still says you should catch more Pokemon and come back. I think it must be specifically checking for Girafarig in your party. I think this might be a little misleading, though. If someone catches Scyther, looks at the tree, and then resets to catch Girafarig, they might assume they still can't interact with the tree yet. I'd suggest making it possible to get the apple as long as you have at least three Pokemon, regardless of which.

It's also not quite clear or intuitive that the game master can help you get past potential softlock situations.

Spoiler:

I actually think that it might make sense for the NPC in the Pokemon Centre who tells you about Yamask not learning moves to have new dialogue every time you get a new Pokemon, and then if you catch Scyther he offers to trade another ball for it. If he comments on Wooper, there'd be precedent for visiting him to see what he says about other Pokemon. I think this would be a more logical way to navigate the situation. This way, rather than forcing you to either reset or get awkwardly bailed out if you don't figure out the intended solution right away, it's just less efficient and loses you time. Maybe he says something about seeing a Kirlia outside if you catch Girafarig?

Spoiler:

Finally, just a minor curiosity: since it and Kirlia already know Thief, why is Girafarig holding the TM? You can teach Quagsire but it doesn't seem necessary.

Spoiler:

Very Great comment! Gave a lot of feedback and suggestions ❤️. About the thief TM for quagsire is for reducing the rng in the last Battle (unfortunately Is not possible to remove It completely), can't wait to see the revised version :)

 

[wiz1989]

I'm finally happy with the v1.0.0 and would love to share out with you guys now!
I updated the main post including the new download and version history.


The final version now has plenty updates in game balancing, Game Master logic, NPC hints and also features an HONOR MODE that will add additional penalty time in case the player is reloading from a save file. Of course this mode is optional to choose for the player.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do and don't find any more flaws in game play and user experience. ;-)
If so, please let me know!

Happy escaping!

 

[braniac1]

Played through it this evening with friends! Enjoyed it a lot!

We escaped using three hints, but once we figured out a direction the pieces fell together really nicely!

It was well thought out/put together! Good work!

Spoiler:

We spent a good 30 mins trying to find a way to kill the LVL 100 Venusaur before realizing we couldn't. We just finished SmallAnt's video too, but putting a double battle we were meant to avoid at the end definitely got us good.

 

[wiz1989]

Little update to version 1.0.1 bringing a few updates to hint messages to improve the user experience.
The download link in the main post has been updated.

 

[wiz1989]

Another small update today after getting some more feedback from streamers.
I also included a new twitch stream of the game from German speaking streamer sephiron in the main post.

 

[PhantorGlam]

I need help on how to patch the ROM, could someone help me?

 

[wiz1989]

I need help on how to patch the ROM, could someone help me?

What's the matter? The patcher should be in the download as well together with a small read me. :)

 

[PhantorGlam]

What's the matter? The patcher should be in the download as well together with a small read me. :)

yes but there's two things, i don't know wich option to use and the rom won't change, it's just emerald

 

[wiz1989]

yes but there's two things, i don't know wich option to use and the rom won't change, it's just emerald

The name of the ROM won't change from the patch. But it should look different after starting a game.
You would need to use "patch an existing file" and select the patch and the original Emerald version.
That should be all.

 

[PhantorGlam]

The name of the ROM won't change from the patch. But it should look different after starting a game.
You would need to use "patch an existing file" and select the patch and the original Emerald version.
That should be all.

Nope, nothing happens, look,

(had to upload it to youtube bc i can´t upload it here)

 

[wiz1989]

Nope, nothing happens, look,

(had to upload it to youtube bc i can´t upload it here)

Are you by any chance trying to patch a zip file instead of a gba file? Cause that's probably the issue.
Oh and it's suggested to use mGBA.

 

[wiz1989]

Pushed another minor update to version 1.0.3 getting rid of crits entirely and doing some more polishing. See version history.
Download link as always to be found in the main post.

 

[Liehon]

Love to see another Pokémon Escape Room. Hope this is the beginning of a very long series of releases in this new genre.

If I may be so bold as to give some feedback on one part of the puzzle

Spoiler: warning wall of text coming up

People who know Makuhita learns Whirlwind in one level and who have found the rare candy will put one and one together and use the rare candy.

But instead of getting rewarded for their game knowledge they'll have to take a time penalty from the Game Master for a new rare candy.


So what has the puzzle accomplished in terms of game design? Don't try things. Don't experiment. You will be punished for thinking you're on the correct path to a solution.


While, yes, the geodude sits there to grind the level from we have to keep in mind that it doesn't show up as a geodude in the overworld. The average player will see that rock and think "Ah, I need rock smash at some point". They won't think of interacting with it. Meanwhile they have this rare candy burning a hole in their pocket.


All in all, I think the PC in the pokécenter should be available even when nurse Joy is sick.
This way the players who know that the PC heals will get rewarded for their gamer knowledge.


The same kinda goes for the Mball+Girafarig+Scyther. In both cases you are indeed giving hints on the sign posts (resp. think before you use an item & catch Gir, thief from Scyther) but it would be more elegant (though easier said than done) if players who caught the wrong one weren't softlocked or punished by the Game Master. Maybe give Scyther a move so that the player can get a second Master ball? Maybe give it Headbutt so we can get an Apricot from a tree (headbutting trees is a Johto mechanic though so not sure how easy that would be add to a gen3 ROM). Or you could have it know rock smash (if you're going the rare candy for makuhita+pc to heal route) and instead of the rock being a geodude to train on have it be a regular rock with a second master ball on (if at that point players catch a second scyther I'd feel less pity for them)

Hope my feedback is something that can help you. Would love to hear your thoughts :)



TL;DR: love your escape room, very much looking forward to the Museum one, hope future puzzles will be set up so experimenting is allowed/encouraged rather than punished.

 

[wiz1989]

Love to see another Pokémon Escape Room. Hope this is the beginning of a very long series of releases in this new genre.

If I may be so bold as to give some feedback on one part of the puzzle

Spoiler: warning wall of text coming up

People who know Makuhita learns Whirlwind in one level and who have found the rare candy will put one and one together and use the rare candy.

But instead of getting rewarded for their game knowledge they'll have to take a time penalty from the Game Master for a new rare candy.


So what has the puzzle accomplished in terms of game design? Don't try things. Don't experiment. You will be punished for thinking you're on the correct path to a solution.


While, yes, the geodude sits there to grind the level from we have to keep in mind that it doesn't show up as a geodude in the overworld. The average player will see that rock and think "Ah, I need rock smash at some point". They won't think of interacting with it. Meanwhile they have this rare candy burning a hole in their pocket.


All in all, I think the PC in the pokécenter should be available even when nurse Joy is sick.
This way the players who know that the PC heals will get rewarded for their gamer knowledge.


The same kinda goes for the Mball+Girafarig+Scyther. In both cases you are indeed giving hints on the sign posts (resp. think before you use an item & catch Gir, thief from Scyther) but it would be more elegant (though easier said than done) if players who caught the wrong one weren't softlocked or punished by the Game Master. Maybe give Scyther a move so that the player can get a second Master ball? Maybe give it Headbutt so we can get an Apricot from a tree (headbutting trees is a Johto mechanic though so not sure how easy that would be add to a gen3 ROM). Or you could have it know rock smash (if you're going the rare candy for makuhita+pc to heal route) and instead of the rock being a geodude to train on have it be a regular rock with a second master ball on (if at that point players catch a second scyther I'd feel less pity for them)

Hope my feedback is something that can help you. Would love to hear your thoughts :)



TL;DR: love your escape room, very much looking forward to the Museum one, hope future puzzles will be set up so experimenting is allowed/encouraged rather than punished.

Thank you so much for the comprehensive feedback!

I understand the points you are raising and have to admit that in this case it's actually on purpose. In fact, I wanted players to be punished for making wrong decisions. It's usually the result of being too hasty making decision without having all available information.
In contrast to the few other escape rooms in existence at least there's always a fix for these occasions.

But on the other side I do agree with you. There could be ways around some of the situations you described that still require deeper knowledge of the game mechanics.

Anyways, the new escape room that I will release this week, has less of these situations and especially wrong item usage is no longer penalized.

Thanks again for the feedback and I am very eager to hear your thoughts about the upcoming one as well!!!

 

[Liehon]

It's usually the result of being too hasty making decision without having all available information.

I get what you're going for but I feel the information on where to use that item isn't even available yet. It only becomes available after the first trainer.

Anyways, the new escape room that I will release this week, has less of these situations and especially wrong item usage is no longer penalized.

Very happy to read that. I really think that just like SmallAnt inspired you, you in turn will inspire a lot of other people to make these puzzles.

Aside from my two nitpicks I did really enjoy your puzzle and must admit have been thinking of following your example and making one myself :)

Thanks again for the feedback and I am very eager to hear your thoughts about the upcoming one as well!!!

Can't wait to try it out.

 

[wiz1989]

I get what you're going for but I feel the information on where to use that item isn't even available yet. It only becomes available after the first trainer.


Very happy to read that. I really think that just like SmallAnt inspired you, you in turn will inspire a lot of other people to make these puzzles.

Aside from my two nitpicks I did really enjoy your puzzle and must admit have been thinking of following your example and making one myself :)


Can't wait to try it out.

Really cool to hear!
Let's stay in touch then. Drop me a PM if you have any questions or want an honest opinion :)

 

[sundaymuffins]

Hi, I'm having issues with patching. I've tried patching with 3 different ROMs. The Trashman, and two that were just called Pokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe). In each one, it patches correctly but the game freezes when I click a move in battle. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong.

 

[wiz1989]

Hi, I'm having issues with patching. I've tried patching with 3 different ROMs. The Trashman, and two that were just called Pokemon - Emerald Version (USA, Europe). In each one, it patches correctly but the game freezes when I click a move in battle. Not sure if I'm doing something wrong.

What emulator are you working with?
Try out mGBA as it's the most reliable out there.

 

[sundaymuffins]

What emulator are you working with?
Try out mGBA as it's the most reliable out there.

I'm using MyBoy since I usually prefer to play on my phone. But I'll try out mGBA. Thanks!