Pokémon HeartGold/Pokémon SoulSilver Review​

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Introduction
Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver are two games that were anticipated for years! They are remakes of two other Pokémon games, named Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver, which were released in Japan in 1999, Austrailia and North America in 2000 and Europe in 2001. Both Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver take place in the region of Johto, a region of ancient traditions and epic legends. If you choose Pokémon HeartGold, you'll meet Ho-Oh, a ancient bird-like Pokémon of many colours, found at the top of an ancient tower, which is known today as the Tin Tower. However, if you pick Pokémon SoulSilver, you'll meet the colossal, underwater Pokémon Lugia, found in a complex cave surrounded by vicious whirlpools. This place is known as the Whirl Islands. Also, how common and what Pokémon appear depends on which version you pick. For example, you can find Vulpix in Pokémon SoulSilver and Growlithe is absent. However, in Pokémon HeartGold, Growlithe is present while Vulpix is missing. This has been done to persude you to purchase both versions or trade with friends. While these games are similar to the originals, there are quite a few differences, such as updated graphics and some new characters like the rival/female playable character Lyra.
The main characters Lyra and Ethan.

The Storyline
The hero/heroine is about to obtain their very own Pokémon! The Professor of the Johto Region, known as Professor Elm, will give the player the fire Pokémon Cyndaquil, the water Pokémon Totodile or the grass Pokémon Chikorita. The rivel (who you get to name), gets (well, steals) the Pokémon that is stronger against yours (e.g. if you picked Chikorita, he'll pick Cyndaquil.) The hero then embarks on his journey, travelling through dark caves, Farfetch'd-filled forests, light-lacking lighthouses and the traditional Victory Road. The earlier parts of the game are quite boring with nothing important happening, and seeing similar Pokémon (Hoot-Hoot, Sentret, Ratata, Pidget etc.), however as you progress further into the game, the story unravels and it gets more interesting. If you picked Pokémon SoulSilver, you'll encounter the sea-dwelling Lugia. As it bursts out of the waterfall it lies waiting within, you know a challenge awaits. Similary, if you picked Pokémon HeartGold, Ho-Oh will be awaiting you at the top of the ancient and legendary Tin Tower. Ho-Oh flies galliantly to face you. In both games, the graceful Kimon Girls summon these ancient Pokémon.

Also, throughout your journey, you'll meet Team Rocket, the team who appeared in Pokémon Red, Blue and Yellow, as well as their remakes (Pokémon FireRed and Pokémon LeafGreen respectively.) Amongst these grunts are four executives: Proton, Petrel, Ariana and Archer. Proton, an executive you first encounter at the Slowpoke Well, dresses in the traditional Team Rocket outfit and is known as the cruelest guy in Team Rocket. The Team Rocket grunts and Proton are immorally cutting off Slowpoke Tails and selling them for money. Later, after defeating the grunts and Proton at the well and progressing far enough into the game, you meet Proton at the Goldenrod Radio Tower, while it is taken over by Team Rocket. The next executive is Petrel, who likes disguising as different people, from the boss of Team Rocket, to the Golden Radio Tower Director. You battle him while at the Team Rocket HQ, and is diguised as Giovanni, the Rocket Boss. Also, you battle him later when he is digused as the Radio Tower Director. Ariana, the female executive of Team Rocket, is first encountered at the Team Rocket HQ. You battle her, as well as a Team Rocket Grunt while teaming up with the legendary dragon-tamer Lance. Later, you battle her at the Goldenrod Radio Tower. Finally, there is Archer, the strongest executive. You battle him at the top of the Radio Tower, and with the control of the strong Houndoom, they pose quite a threat. However, despite this, all of the executives are quite bland, and there is barely any backstory. For example, little is known about Archer, and even after destroying Team Rocket (yet again), you still don't know much about him. So despite being the strongest executive, he is the least memorable due to being so enigmatic. Also, in Pokémon SoulSilver, some scenes look quite wierd, such as the Kimono Girls being found in the grim, cold Whirl Islands.
The Rocket Executives!

New Features/Features absent in Pokémon Gold/Pokémon Silver
One of the new features, the Pokéathlon, is one of the best features in my opinion. The amount of mini-games and the quality of them are amazing, and the Pokéathlon easily beats the Pokémon Super Contests from the previous games Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl and Pokémon Platinum. Each Pokemon is assigned different stats, and the objective is to score the most points. After completing one of the several courses (Power, Speed, Stamina, Skill and Jump), you earn points depending on hw well you did. With these points, you can spend them on useful items, like Evolution Stones (Water Stone, Fire Stone etc.) What you can buy is also expanded when you obtain the National Dex. From snowball fights to football/soccer, from knocking Pokémon of a stage to jumping over hurdles, there is a good variety of mini-games. There could have been a Wi-Fi option to further enhance the Pokéathlon, but never-the-less, it is a good feature which sadly was not carried over to Pokémon Black and Pokémon White.

Another new feature is Pokémon being able to follow the player. While not completely new as it has appeared in Pokémon Yellow and briefly in Pokémon Diamond, Pokémon Pearl and Pokemon Platinum (although only briefly and it being limited to the Amity Square), it has been expanded now, The Pokémon react to the area they are at (e.g. a bug-type Pokémon will enjoy being at the second gym, which is a bug-type gym.) Also, occasionally, they will pick up accesories, which can be used to customise your Pokémon at the Goldenrod Underground.

Another new feature is The Safari Zone. Although not new to most Pokémon games, it was absent from Pokémon Gold and Pokémon Silver. In this Safari Zone, the player can change where each area is placed, which can allow the player to get to an area quicker and more easily. Also, you are able to place objects, which affect what Pokémon appear, and how often. The absence of the step feature, which limited the amount of time in the Safari Zone, is bad in my opinion, as the challenge which was present in previous games is lost.

Another new feature is the Game Corner game, which is known as Voltorb Flip. It is described as "a cross between picross and minesweeper", and relies on luck and strategy, unlike previous Game Corners, which had slot machines. The reason why this game is present and the slot machines are absent is because of recent gambling laws. While the game itself is satisfactory, the lack of the ability to buy coins is a bit
disappointing.

Finally, the PokéWalker is bundled with the game. It allows the buyer to take their Pokémon out and about, and you can also catch Pokémon in the PokéWalker, some that you would encounter later in the game, like Kangaskhan. Sadly, you are only allowed to gain one level per trip, so that is a bit disappointing. Also, one of the Key Items, the GB Sound, allows you to listen to the 8-bit music tracks, which increases the nostalgia. Sadly, you get the item right at the end of the game, so you have basically already completed it. Also, the old tracks used in Pokémon HeartGold/Pokémon SoulSilver aren't exactly 8-bit, so they aren't exactly like the original, which is a bit disappointing. Another feature is the Battle Frontier. While the Battle Tower was available in Pokémon Crystal, the Battle Frontier offers five facilities for the player to participate in. The bad thing about the Battle Frontier is that it is exactly like the one in Pokémon Platinum, which is a bit dissapointing.
Are your Pokémon ready for the Pokéathlon?

Conclusion
Pokémon HeartGold and Pokémon SoulSilver tried to create something new, while keeping the nostalgia of the originals. Features like the GB Sound help improve the nostalgia, as well as characters like Red. Some features like the Battle Frontier straight from Pokémon Platinum might make you feel a it cheated and may make you not want to participate in it if, for example, you completed it in Pokémon Platinum. This game will impress both new fans and old! Due to the game being fairly boring at the beginning, and how bland and boring some of the new characters (Proton), and how annyoing others are (Joey is an example, as he constantly rings the player to tell them about how amazing his Ratata is...) and due to some of the errors and glitches (Lyra saying her Marill has evolved, when it hasn't), the game gets a 8/10.


Score: 8/10

You got Tododile dancing!
Your written review for HG/SS was beyond exceptional and earned you first prize. No wonder Totodile can't keep still!

Stepping up and taking flight!
You may not have placed first in the HG/SS Review Competition, but you spread your wings and flew to try.