[Gen 2] Dragon in Pokémon Crystal Version

[Dragon]

Pokémon Crystal Version (Japanese: ポケットモンスター クリスタルバージョン Pocket Monsters: Crystal Version) is the third and final Generation II core series game for Game Boy Color. It was released as a solitary version to Pokémon Gold and Silver, which were released one year before. It featured various fixes and some new additions, most notably the introduction of the option to play as a girl. It takes place in the region of Johto like Gold and Silver, with access to Kanto granted later in the game, with the player's starting town being New Bark Town.

The player is called to Professor Elm's lab to run an errand. He provides the player with one of three Pokémon: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, or Totodile to help them get to Mr. Pokémon's house. The player meets Kanto's own Professor Oak during the errand for Elm. Oak, convinced that the player has started their own Pokémon journey, gives them a Pokédex. On the way back, the player is attacked by a spiteful and mysterious Pokémon Trainer. Upon the player's return to New Bark Town, they are informed that someone has broken into Professor Elm's lab and has stolen a Pokémon, the same Pokémon that the Trainer from earlier battled with (the Pokémon that the player's starter is weak against); even more so, that very same Trainer fits the description of the Pokémon thief. This Trainer will become the player's rival for the course of the game, having several conflicts with the player as to what it means to be the world's greatest Pokémon Trainer. Also, throughout the adventure, the player will also come across Suicune, a Legendary Pokémon that traverses Johto after the player awakens the three Legendary beasts from their sleep at the Burned Tower.

One of the many games I played as a kid, I did really enjoy playing Pokemon Gold and Silver. Pokemon Crystal felt really surreal, with the added stuff they included in the game, like... how the pokemon sprites are animated when they're put into battle. It was around the time Pokemon Crystal got released that I also became better at playing these Pokemon games as a whole too. Like before when I was playing Pokemon Yellow, all I did was leave things up to my starter Pokemon, but I gradually learned to rely on other Pokemon, and thus, the Pokemon gaming experience got a lot easier, and a lot more enjoyable in turn!

That being said, it does have a number of flaws, like the actual lack of Generation 2 pokemon that you can find in the main portion of Johto, and some fan favourites are mostly found within the later post game while in Kanto. While Gold, Silver and Crystal does improve from the first Generation of games, you'll still find an unbalanced broken mess held together with sheer programming.

Still, I personally think it doesn't stop these games from being enjoyable. Perhaps it's from sheer notsalgia, these games have a charm that I don't think can be replaced. So, I am bringing this as narrative LP coupled with screenshots. I'm planning to give you, the reader, a sense of what it's like to play this game and to better understand the Johto region in general. If you're looking more for insight, I'll try to also do commentary in batches of a couple of updates at a time, where I will try to go more into detail on the events that went down during this play-through.

I'll try to use as much different Pokémon as I can each update. It's just to give you all a good idea on how well they perform in many aspects of the game.

This isn't a narrative masterpiece or anything, but there's also some cool moments that shouldn't be ruined! Updates will come.. whenever I have time, but hopefully consistently.

I'll also compile a master list of Pokémon, cities, landmarks, characters, and music when they come, as well as any other interesting tips and segments.

--

1. [Full Opening]
2. [New Bark Town]
3. [Get a move on, dear!]
4. [Professor Elm's Lab]

 

[Dragon]

[Full Opening]

The opening screen shows a mysterious blue pokémon running, and encountering even more mysterious pokémon: Unown. It's quite the sight to behold! The animation is quite impressive for its time.

The Unown reads 'CRYSTAL'. And now, we're finally at the title of the game! Time to start a new game...

...And the game asks if we're a boy or girl. The first pokemon game to do so! I went ahead and chose to be a girl.

Here is the part where we can set the clock. Make sure you set the clock properly, as there are a few things in this game that is influenced by time!

"slept!"

I chose 12:00 p.m. It's a flexible time, so, I think I'll make the most of things during this time. Kinda cute they went with the traditional, "Oh no! I'm late!" trope.

[Welcome, to the world of pokémon!]

Ah, it's good ol' Professor Oak! Also known as Dr. Yukinari Okido in Japan. You remember him from Generation I, right? Oak concentrates on pokémon and human relationships as a profession. Now, it's the same old intro as last generation, so we don't need to dive too much into that. More importantly...

You still get to choose your name. Now, the female trainer here's official name is Kris, and her anime counterpart is named Marina. But I went ahead and chose Kris!

Kris is Ethan/Gold's female counterpart. She's cute, spunky, always wants to learn more about pokémon, try new things, and battle her heart out! I rather like her myself; I personally do like her a little bit more than Lyra(though it's awfully close)! Fortunately she's getting even more development in Pokémon Masters, the mobile game. So, she will be the main protagonist in this game!

[New Bark Town]

As always, we start in our room first. Let's check out START!

A bit more colourful than Pokémon Yellow. Looking good so far! Taking a look at the rest of our room...

"in next time!"

The RADIO is the innovation in these games, which we'll definitely see more of during this game later.

Sadly, there's no items in our PC. No free POTIONS just yet!

The TOWN MAP says that we're in a place called New Bark Town! We'll learn more about that soon. For right now, time to head downstairs...

[Get a move on, dear!]

: He said he wanted you to do something for him. Oh! I almost forgot! Your POKéMON GEAR is back from the repair shop. Here you go!

It's essential if you want to be a good trainer. Oh, the day of the week isn't set. You mustn't forget that!

"for Daylight Savings Time".

Here you can set the date. The Date is also very important for some in-game events! You can also choose if you want to set it as Daylight Savings time.

"the PHONE?"

N-No. Tell me more about this... pf..-pfown.

: I'll read the instructions. Turn the POKéGEAR on and select the PHONE icon. Phone numbers are stored in memory. Just choose a name you want to call. Gee, isn't that convenient?

And... who are you?

: My daughter is adamant about becoming PROF.ELMs assistant. She really loves POKéMON!

I guess it's just a friend of the family. Anyways, it's finally time to head outside! The beginning is a bit more text heavy than the Generation I games. Just to warn you a bit.

[New Bark Town]

As said before, we're in New Bark Town!

The Town Where Winds of a New Beginning Blow. In Japan it's called ワカバタウン Wakaba Town, はじまりを つげる かぜがふく まち The town where winds of a new beginning blow. From 若葉 wakaba, it means "new leaves" or "fresh verdure". New Bark Town is literally new bark. From a relation to the real world, in HGSS, it was released with wind turbines added to New Bark Town at the same time construction was completed on a small
wind-farm in Shizuoka City in Japan.

This isn't his lab, but his house. Might be interesting to learn more on what he's about.

Huh, sounds like the researcher's life isn't all that easy.

: "Why has no one ever witnessed a POKéMON's birth? I want to know! I will dedicate my life to the study of POKéMON!" It's a part of PROF.ELM's research papers.

Looks like Professor Elm is focusing on the birth and foundations of a pokemon. It's an interesting approach to learning about these creatures as a whole. Anyway, he's not home, so time to head to his lab.

Here's his lab, and... huh?

"Lab..."

Um...

Okay?

Well, here's his lab at last.

Professor Elm's Lab

: I'm conducting new POKéMON research right now. I was wondering if you could help me with it, KRIS. You see... I'm writing a paper that I want to present at a conference. But there are some things I don't quite understand yet.

Well, I don't see why not!

I try...

: When I announce my findings, I'm sure we'll delve a bit deeper into the many mysteries of POKéMON.

Gee, I wonder what junk mail he's being suckered into.

: I have an acquaintance called MR. POKéMON. He keeps finding weird things and raving about his discoveries. Anyway, I just got an e-mail from him saying that this time it's real. It is intriguing, but we're busy with our POKéMON research...

Oh... oh no.

Here it comes...

And there it is.

: I want you to raise one of the POKéMON contained in these BALLS. You'll be that POKéMON's first partner, KRIS!

Well, let's have a look-see at our choices...

"fire POKéMON?"

Cyndaquil, or ヒノアラシ Hinoarashi is the fire-starter of this generation. Cyndaquil is a combination of cinder (ashes) and quill (referring to needle-like hairs). Hinoarashi may be a combination of 火 hi (fire) and ヤマアラシ (山荒) yama-arashi (porcupine). It can be taken to mean 火の嵐 hi no arashi (storm of fire).
HP: 39 | ATK: 52 | DEF: 43 | SP.ATK: 60 | SP.DEF: 50 | SPD: 65 | TOTAL: 309

"water POKéMON?"

Totodile, ワニノコ
Waninoko, is the water-type. Totodile is a combination of tot and crocodile, and Waninoko can be taken to mean 鰐の子 (child of a crocodile/alligator).
HP: 50 | ATK: 65 | DEF: 64 | SP.ATK: 44 | SP.DEF: 48 | SPD: 43 | TOTAL: 314

"grass POKéMON?"

Chikorita (チコリータ Chicorita), is the grass-type pokemon of the region. Chikorita is a combination of chicory (a flowering plant) and ita (the feminine form of the Spanish suffix for something small or young).
HP: 45 | ATK: 49 | DEF: 65 | SP.ATK: 49 | SP.DEF: 65 | SPD: 45 | TOTAL: 318

You can't go wrong with whatever pokémon you choose to pick, as long as your team is balanced to compensate their weaknesses. As for the starter I'm going to pick...

: I think that's a great POKéMON too!

: Mr. Pokémon lives near Cherrygrove, the next city. It's almost a direct route there, so you can't miss it. But just in case, here's my phone number. Call me if anything comes up!

heal it with this machine. Feel free to use it anytime."

Whew, that was a lengthy explanation. But now we finally get to head out and--

: KRIS, I want you to have this for your errand.

Well, here's our free Potion!

: There are only two of us, so we're always busy.

Well with that out of the way, let's finally have a look at the Pokemon!

With the additions of gsc, they added the ability for our Pokemon to hold items. In this case, a BERRY will restore 10HP when the Pokemon goes under 50% of its health. It's quite handy in a pinch. The Special Stat from Generation II is now separated into a Special Attack and Special Defense stat.

Next time, its time to finally venture out!

 

[NocturnalNinetales]

Good luck! :) This looks AWESOME!