Pokémon X (2013)

I played about 4 hours of X while on vacation. First impressions, it looks great, and I feel like I don't really know what I'm doing half the time. My only prior Pokemon experience is playing about 2 hours of Black on the DS a few years ago. The game just tells you to go from place to place and pick up Pokemon while you're at it. It is fun, but I don't quite get it yet I guess.

Managed to get my copy yesterday, muhaha! Trying to take it slow and not rush through it so it lasts a few weeks. (hopefully, though it may be hard). Kind of spoilers below? Just my first impressions of the game, no story or actual Pokemon spoilers.

First impressions, I'm not all that keen on the UI/art style. I'm a newcomer to Pokemon games, having only really started playing them a couple months back, so it may just be that I'm still new and haven't been playing for long enough to get sick of the old style. But yeah, I really liked the pixel-y style of Pokemon and this is new and everything's rounded and bubble-like. Might just take some getting used to.

I feel the same way about the actual Pokemon. Some of them look cool and suit the 3D whilst others I think just... don't. They look kinda, too simple? I dunno, I just feel like the sprites from Gen V were much more suited and fit right. Again, maybe something I just have to get used to.

One thing I'm really disappointed with are the FPS drops. I'd heard about it before and braced myself, thinking it wouldn't be that bad. But it is. If you have 3D on, you will get noticeable FPS drops in battles. You even get FPS drops sometimes when you have 3D off and it's just really distracting and disheartening. I mean, the 3D battles look great, but it's not worth the performance drop. For me, anyway.

I do love the 3D environment, it's really pretty and just pops. And of course, the trainer customisation is just an awesome addition to the game. It makes the game just that bit more personal. I haven't come across too much yet, only hats and accessories, but I'm only 2 hours in, so.

In short, very disappointed with the performance whilst in 3D; will take some getting used to the UI and art style, but I don't hate it; enjoying the 3D environment, very pretty and eye-catching; love the trainer customisation.