Emerald hack: Pokémon Obscura - Official Beta 1.0.0 Release!

[mocha_ltd]

Welcome to the Shizen Region!





Game Summary:

Built from the vanilla Emerald decomp, Pokémon Obscura is a ROM hack set in the Shizen region, a region that is on the cusp of booming Pokémon technology. In Pokémon Obscura, your 16 year old protagonist is thrown right into the action, as you meet a strange figure that tells you of an impending doom that can only be resolved by the return of an ancient Pokémon guardian that has been missing for 200 years, and you guessed it, that person who will restore balance to the Shizen region is none other than you! Travel this new region with its own story with Pokémon spanning gens 1-9 from a hand-selected 256 count Pokédex while you battle heroes from the past to obtain the strength that you need to restore the region...and battle against an enemy organization looking to obtain this strength for themselves.
​

Notes:

• This beta version goes as far as the 3rd "gym leader"
• This beta version has only been tested on mGBA
• The theme of this game is as close to a vanilla Pokémon game theme as possible (i.e. no overtly dark themes/subject matter).
• This isn't a difficulty hack. The only real difficulty increase is the improved trainer AI across the board using the AI offered in the base game as well as Soft Exp Level Caps.
• There are some reused sprites of characters that show up in Pokémon Emerald and other games but are different characters altogether in this game. They are currently placeholders while I work on finding an artist!
• Even though Gens 1-9 are available, the moves available in the game only go from Gen 1 - Gen 3, since I'm using the base Emerald decomp, not the expansion.
• Hisuian, Alolan, and Galarian forms are used in this game as a replacement for base types of certain Pokémon (i.e. Zigzagoon, Decidueye, Samurott, etc.)

Features:

• Significantly increased exp gain across the board to reduce time having to spend grinding and have higher levels overall
• Soft exp level caps - this was primarily put in place because of the increased exp gain (I had an early playtester that was able to level up their starter to level 45 before the 3rd gym and that wasn't the experience I wanted to offer). I also just liked a little additional challenge to the game. Exp gain is still possible once you reach the cap but the amount of exp gained is decreased dramatically.
• HMs usable as long as Pokémon can learn it (doesn't have to be taught)
• Evolutions have been updated to remove friendship requirements/trade requirements and instead just require consumable items or just level up evolutions (see Pokédex link below)
• Wild Pokémon levels are set dynamically based on the average level of your party (easier exp gain and makes it easier to add new Pokémon to your party)
• A party wide Exp Share obtained after the 2nd gym that can be turned on or off (just made sense for story reasons to hold this until after the 2nd gym)
• Reusable TMs
• IV Checker in every Pokémon Center
• Shiny odds increased
• Catching Pokémon grants Exp
• Potentially more still in development!

Known Bugs:

• When viewing the region map, if you scroll all the way to any edge of the map, it will cause the game to spaz out and freeze. Working on getting this fixed!
• When your Pokémon levels up and learns a new move from catching a Pokémon, when you return from the "learn move" screen, the Pokémon that you caught reappears. However, the game still records that you caught it, it's just a visual bug that I'm working on fixing.
• This was a bug found after this beta was released. There is a triggered battle in Evergreen Forest where you fight some enemy grunts, and if you lose to them, you will get soft locked. Working on getting this fixed!
• I'm sure there are others that I haven't ran into during my play testing so save often!

Pokédex:

You can view the full region's Pokédex here, which includes locations, evolutions, and types!

Credits:

• Team Aqua's Hideout for their amazing tutorials and super helpful community for a new developer
• Pyramid Primary Interior Tileset: Princess-phoenix
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Rahtak
• Alt Pokécenter Secondary Tileset: Ekat, Vurtax (FRLG Rips), Heartlessdragoon (RSE Rips)
• Male Pokémon Center Nurse: Ryuuji
• "Jett" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• "Sheila" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• Shadow Triad Front Sprite: skeizerr
• Shadow Triad OW Sprite: PurrfectDoodle (Eva)
• Silver OW Sprite: IAG
• Silver Trainer Front Sprite: Ringloom
• Distortion World Secondary Tileset: Rahtak, Phyromatical, spaceemotion
• Battle Backgrounds: RavePossum & Ruki
• Dojo Interior Tilesets: Full list here
• Dojo Exterior Tilesets: Full list here
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Full list here
• Please call me out if I missed anything!

Download:

This Google Drive link contains the .bps patch file that should be applied to a clean version of Pokémon Emerald. This folder also contains a Bug Report Form so that you can send me bug reports, suggestions, or feedback about the game so that I have them organized all in one place.

Thank you!

 

[JamesNorritom]

Epic hack bro! THANKS!!

 

[Wirawr]

Welcome to the Shizen Region!

View attachment 174607View attachment 174609View attachment 174615
View attachment 174610View attachment 174611View attachment 174612
View attachment 174616View attachment 174617

Game Summary:

Built from the vanilla Emerald decomp, Pokémon Obscura is a ROM hack set in the Shizen region, a region that is on the cusp of booming Pokémon technology. In Pokémon Obscura, your 16 year old protagonist is thrown right into the action, as you meet a strange figure that tells you of an impending doom that can only be resolved by the return of an ancient Pokémon guardian that has been missing for 200 years, and you guessed it, that person who will restore balance to the Shizen region is none other than you! Travel this new region with its own story with Pokémon spanning gens 1-9 from a hand-selected 256 count Pokédex while you battle heroes from the past to obtain the strength that you need to restore the region...and battle against an enemy organization looking to obtain this strength for themselves.
​

Notes:

• This beta version goes as far as the 3rd "gym leader"
• This beta version has only been tested on mGBA
• The theme of this game is as close to a vanilla Pokémon game theme as possible (i.e. no overtly dark themes/subject matter).
• This isn't a difficulty hack. The only real difficulty increase is the improved trainer AI across the board using the AI offered in the base game as well as Soft Exp Level Caps.
• There are some reused sprites of characters that show up in Pokémon Emerald and other games but are different characters altogether in this game. The reasoning for this is 1) This game is meant to explore some "multiverse" subject matter where the same people show up as different characters in different timelines and 2) I am solo developing this and am not well versed/experienced in sprite art at all lol
• Even though Gens 1-9 are available, the moves available in the game only go from Gen 1 - Gen 3, since I'm using the base Emerald decomp, not the expansion.
• Hisuian, Alolan, and Galarian forms are used in this game as a replacement for base types of certain Pokémon (i.e. Zigzagoon, Decidueye, Samurott, etc.)

Features:

• Significantly increased exp gain across the board to reduce time having to spend grinding and have higher levels overall
• Soft exp level caps - this was primarily put in place because of the increased exp gain (I had an early playtester that was able to level up their starter to level 45 before the 3rd gym and that wasn't the experience I wanted to offer). I also just liked a little additional challenge to the game. Exp gain is still possible once you reach the cap but the amount of exp gained is decreased dramatically.
• HMs usable as long as Pokémon can learn it (doesn't have to be taught)
• Evolutions have been updated to remove friendship requirements/trade requirements and instead just require consumable items or just level up evolutions (see Pokédex link below)
• Wild Pokémon levels are set dynamically based on the average level of your party (easier exp gain and makes it easier to add new Pokémon to your party)
• A party wide Exp Share obtained after the 2nd gym that can be turned on or off (just made sense for story reasons to hold this until after the 2nd gym)
• Reusable TMs
• IV Checker in every Pokémon Center
• Shiny odds increased
• Catching Pokémon grants Exp
• Potentially more still in development!

Known Bugs:

• When viewing the region map, if you scroll all the way to any edge of the map, it will cause the game to spaz out and freeze. Working on getting this fixed!
• When your Pokémon levels up and learns a new move from catching a Pokémon, when you return from the "learn move" screen, the Pokémon that you caught reappears. However, the game still records that you caught it, it's just a visual bug that I'm working on fixing.
• I'm sure there are others that I haven't ran into during my play testing so save often!

Pokédex:

You can view the full region's Pokédex here, which includes locations, evolutions, and types!

Credits:

• Team Aqua's Hideout for their amazing tutorials and super helpful community for a new developer
• Pyramid Primary Interior Tileset: Princess-phoenix
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Rahtak
• Alt Pokécenter Secondary Tileset: Ekat, Vurtax (FRLG Rips), Heartlessdragoon (RSE Rips)
• Male Pokémon Center Nurse: Ryuuji
• "Jett" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• "Sheila" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• Shadow Triad Front Sprite: skeizerr
• Shadow Triad OW Sprite: PurrfectDoodle (Eva)
• Silver OW Sprite: IAG
• Silver Trainer Front Sprite: Ringloom
• Distortion World Secondary Tileset: Rahtak, Phyromatical, spaceemotion
• Battle Backgrounds: RavePossum & Ruki
• Dojo Interior Tilesets: Full list here
• Dojo Exterior Tilesets: Full list here
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Full list here
• Please call me out if I missed anything!

Download:

This Google Drive link contains the .bps patch file that should be applied to a clean version of Pokémon Emerald. This folder also contains a Bug Report Form so that you can send me bug reports, suggestions, or feedback about the game so that I have them organized all in one place.

Thank you!

Thank you for the hack, new region is always welcome because playing same region again and again in difuculty hack start to make me nauseous. For development you can post recruitment messages both on here and Pokémon community discord if you searching team member because it's shame this new game using reused characters aset because I think this world you create deserve it own environment and i think the best indoor you design in this game so far is Pokémon center love how you do it. Stay healthy

 

[RenElite]

Ngl, seeing mons from gens 4-9 and only having gens 1-3 movesets and probably abilities is a huge miss. Literally majority of mons wont be able to take advantage of their base stats and will instantly make the mons utter shit. Game has a lot of potential, but I hate playing hacks who rule out post gen 3 moves and abilities while adding post gen 3 mons, which makes me feel that the hack is made from 2011~2015, making it quite outdated mechanics wise considering ROM hacks released nowadays with mons post gen 3 have proper movesets and abilities.

 

[mocha_ltd]

Ngl, seeing mons from gens 4-9 and only having gens 1-3 movesets and probably abilities is a huge miss. Literally majority of mons wont be able to take advantage of their base stats and will instantly make the mons utter shit. Game has a lot of potential, but I hate playing hacks who rule out post gen 3 moves and abilities while adding post gen 3 mons, which makes me feel that the hack is made from 2011~2015, making it quite outdated mechanics wise considering ROM hacks released nowadays with mons post gen 3 have proper movesets and abilities.

I definitely get where you're coming from, it's not for everyone.

 

[mocha_ltd]

Thank you for the hack, new region is always welcome because playing same region again and again in difuculty hack start to make me nauseous. For development you can post recruitment messages both on here and Pokémon community discord if you searching team member because it's shame this new game using reused characters aset because I think this world you create deserve it own environment and i think the best indoor you design in this game so far is Pokémon center love how you do it. Stay healthy

I appreciate the kind words! Yeah I can potentially recruit people, but it didn't feel right to ask people to volunteer their time making stuff for a game that I'm primarily just making for myself that I just wanted to share with the community.

 

[mocha_ltd]

Epic hack bro! THANKS!!

Thank you so much!

 

[Safr]

Welcome to the Shizen Region!

View attachment 174607View attachment 174609View attachment 174615
View attachment 174610View attachment 174611View attachment 174612
View attachment 174616View attachment 174617

Game Summary:

Built from the vanilla Emerald decomp, Pokémon Obscura is a ROM hack set in the Shizen region, a region that is on the cusp of booming Pokémon technology. In Pokémon Obscura, your 16 year old protagonist is thrown right into the action, as you meet a strange figure that tells you of an impending doom that can only be resolved by the return of an ancient Pokémon guardian that has been missing for 200 years, and you guessed it, that person who will restore balance to the Shizen region is none other than you! Travel this new region with its own story with Pokémon spanning gens 1-9 from a hand-selected 256 count Pokédex while you battle heroes from the past to obtain the strength that you need to restore the region...and battle against an enemy organization looking to obtain this strength for themselves.
​

Notes:

• This beta version goes as far as the 3rd "gym leader"
• This beta version has only been tested on mGBA
• The theme of this game is as close to a vanilla Pokémon game theme as possible (i.e. no overtly dark themes/subject matter).
• This isn't a difficulty hack. The only real difficulty increase is the improved trainer AI across the board using the AI offered in the base game as well as Soft Exp Level Caps.
• There are some reused sprites of characters that show up in Pokémon Emerald and other games but are different characters altogether in this game. The reasoning for this is 1) This game is meant to explore some "multiverse" subject matter where the same people show up as different characters in different timelines and 2) I am solo developing this and am not well versed/experienced in sprite art at all lol
• Even though Gens 1-9 are available, the moves available in the game only go from Gen 1 - Gen 3, since I'm using the base Emerald decomp, not the expansion.
• Hisuian, Alolan, and Galarian forms are used in this game as a replacement for base types of certain Pokémon (i.e. Zigzagoon, Decidueye, Samurott, etc.)

Features:

• Significantly increased exp gain across the board to reduce time having to spend grinding and have higher levels overall
• Soft exp level caps - this was primarily put in place because of the increased exp gain (I had an early playtester that was able to level up their starter to level 45 before the 3rd gym and that wasn't the experience I wanted to offer). I also just liked a little additional challenge to the game. Exp gain is still possible once you reach the cap but the amount of exp gained is decreased dramatically.
• HMs usable as long as Pokémon can learn it (doesn't have to be taught)
• Evolutions have been updated to remove friendship requirements/trade requirements and instead just require consumable items or just level up evolutions (see Pokédex link below)
• Wild Pokémon levels are set dynamically based on the average level of your party (easier exp gain and makes it easier to add new Pokémon to your party)
• A party wide Exp Share obtained after the 2nd gym that can be turned on or off (just made sense for story reasons to hold this until after the 2nd gym)
• Reusable TMs
• IV Checker in every Pokémon Center
• Shiny odds increased
• Catching Pokémon grants Exp
• Potentially more still in development!

Known Bugs:

• When viewing the region map, if you scroll all the way to any edge of the map, it will cause the game to spaz out and freeze. Working on getting this fixed!
• When your Pokémon levels up and learns a new move from catching a Pokémon, when you return from the "learn move" screen, the Pokémon that you caught reappears. However, the game still records that you caught it, it's just a visual bug that I'm working on fixing.
• This was a bug found after this beta was released. There is a triggered battle in Evergreen Forest where you fight some enemy grunts, and if you lose to them, you will get soft locked. Working on getting this fixed!
• I'm sure there are others that I haven't ran into during my play testing so save often!

Pokédex:

You can view the full region's Pokédex here, which includes locations, evolutions, and types!

Credits:

• Team Aqua's Hideout for their amazing tutorials and super helpful community for a new developer
• Pyramid Primary Interior Tileset: Princess-phoenix
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Rahtak
• Alt Pokécenter Secondary Tileset: Ekat, Vurtax (FRLG Rips), Heartlessdragoon (RSE Rips)
• Male Pokémon Center Nurse: Ryuuji
• "Jett" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• "Sheila" Trainer Sprite: robloxmaster376
• Shadow Triad Front Sprite: skeizerr
• Shadow Triad OW Sprite: PurrfectDoodle (Eva)
• Silver OW Sprite: IAG
• Silver Trainer Front Sprite: Ringloom
• Distortion World Secondary Tileset: Rahtak, Phyromatical, spaceemotion
• Battle Backgrounds: RavePossum & Ruki
• Dojo Interior Tilesets: Full list here
• Dojo Exterior Tilesets: Full list here
• Shady Forest Secondary Tileset: Full list here
• Please call me out if I missed anything!

Download:

This Google Drive link contains the .bps patch file that should be applied to a clean version of Pokémon Emerald. This folder also contains a Bug Report Form so that you can send me bug reports, suggestions, or feedback about the game so that I have them organized all in one place.

Thank you!

Good demo so far, only need original spite for characters. Stay healthy

 

[mocha_ltd]

Good demo so far, only need original spite for characters. Stay healthy

Thank you! Currently working on finding an artist for new trainer sprites.

 

[v4nadium]

Hi, great game so far! I think you forgot to put Pokémons in the first two ponds: battle begins but nothing is visible and the game sorta freezes (see this video).

 

[Ro Ro]

Hi there! Playing this game right now. (SPOILERS)

I want to mention first and foremost the thing that piqued my attention the most in this game and filled me with wonder: the beginning. It is unusually scary and enigmatic for a Fangame not to mention a regular Pokemon game. So you start in your little, quaint town. Your mom gives you an errand so you go merrily to the neighboring town to pick those ingredients. All´s great. You are happy and carefree and then...

You see a cave that has never been there. Everyone else is inside their houses although I'm wondering how many people besides you would see it if they came outside... Drawn in by the novelty and uncertainty, you go inside only to discover a strange passage that vaguely resembles your world but everything there tells you that you might not even be in reality anymore. You try to go back only to discover that the path has closed. Surely, this has to be a dream or a nightmare. Wait a second, could that mysterious man from your dreams be related to this somehow? That´s impossible. Surely, this has to be an illusion which might be why you manage to gather the courage to traverse that passage. It's also very likely that you do not want to remain there one second more.

Finally outside and back home! Except that...this is not home. There seems to be nobody in these houses and it looks like there hasn´t been in a long time. Why are there? Inside the last house sits a very old man. The one from your dreams! You barely manage to understand what tells you: he is the guardian of the temporal barriers (that's what I believe... Perhaps I need to replay that part) and is feeling his end approaching. Your town was established atop the roots of an ancestral tree that originated this region and holds it together to this day (where is that tree?). Most likely, the tree has selected you to carry on a special mission to summon Celebi, the region's founder. The man grants you one Pokemon that seems to be as old as he is and entrusts you this extremely important task. You must succeed before the guardian dies, the barriers break down and past, present and future mix in total chaos.

This is such a striking opening for a Pokemon game that I felt chills. The Lavender Town music playing through it only added further to the surrealism and creepiness of the scene. Perhaps your vision was different but, for me, it was the most unsettling call to adventure that I remember in pokemon. Is anyone else aware of the existence of this guardian? Can I really trust him? There is something in the back of my head that tells me that I should not be so naive? Who is he exactly? Is that apocalyptic scenario truly what will happen if he dies? What (or who) else was in that strange path I crossed to get here? Why did it felt like you were being watched?

I don't know about you but, to me, this beginning felt like something out of a cosmic horror. The uncertainty and the feeling of knowing almost nothing about your world which you just discovered was so big and delicate are things that haunt me. It makes me wonder if this game's story will take a dark turn later on or one towards mystery.

I got all of that from the first minutes of the game. That should showcase how much potential your work has. If it were up to me, I would continue with this atmosphere of mystery and ambiguity later on. I don´t mean all of the game but I imagine that, during certain moments, some trainer would say something nonsnesical (even for the standarts of Pokemon), melancholic or ominous before a battle just to act normal and jovial again after the fight. Perhaps some town's denizen will talk about how the stone's guardian visited them yesterday...even though only certain people in the temples can see them. I imagine that things like those would up the atmosphere of the game: moment that would drive you to question whether you are awake or asleep (Darkrai seems to be featured in this game. Hmmm...) or that clue you in that there are invisible forces supporting this calm region.

Hehe, I got a bit carried on. I just like to invent stories. Of course, you don't need to make this into some sort of epic where you deal with cosmic forces. Personally, I would hate that because it would take away much of the amazement. I was just thinking that they could be included in isolated moments or, perhaps, limit the strange happenings to only when a legendary or mythical Pokemon is near or showcase them as trials of courage for the protagonist to prove themselves. Do you want to know about my impressions of the game proper now? :)

 

[Green Jerry]

Hi, great game so far! I think you forgot to put Pokémons in the first two ponds: battle begins but nothing is visible and the game sorta freezes (see this video).

For me, almost the same thing happens, expect the game instead freezes without a battle starting, right after the text box closes. I'm playing on GBA.emu.

 

[mocha_ltd]

For me, almost the same thing happens, expect the game instead freezes without a battle starting, right after the text box closes. I'm playing on GBA.emu.

Thank you for letting me know! Currently working on an updated beta for the game and will make sure I don't miss this

 

[randomxxxx]

Wants triple triad