Further XD details announced: Difference between revisions

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Actually playing [[bp:Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness|Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]] at E3 is somewhat of a time-consuming affair. Claiming one of the largest chunks of real estate at [[bp:Nintendo|Nintendo]]'s Booth, Pokémon XD drew scores of show goers throughout the entire show. It's not just the game people showed up to see, but to score four free Pokémon dolls courtesy of Nintendo. Nintendo employed an excellent strategy here. The masses can't resist free stuff, especially when it's cute and doubles as a pillow.
At E3 this week, the buzz regarding [[bp:Nintendo|Nintendo]] was mostly based around its upcoming console, Revolution. However, at Nintendo's own booth, it was a different story. While the company was giving out four free Pokémon dolls to visitors, most fans of the Pokémon franchise were there to see the newest offering for GameCube- [[bp:Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness|Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness]].


Once past the mass of freeloaders, we found several kiosks playing Pokémon XD. We restarted the demo and took it for a spin. To start, Pokémon XD looks very much like [[bp:Pokémon Colosseum|Pokémon Colosseum]] on the GameCube. They both use similar color schemes, texture work and design, plus combat unfolds in much the same way also. Nintendo has emphasized that Pokémon XD marks the first true Pokémon RPG for the GameCube, so apart from the similarities listed above, it's actually different from previous efforts.
While Pokémon XD appears and plays much like its predecessor, [[bp:Pokémon Colosseum|Pokémon Colosseum]], using similar colors, textures, and battle formats, it also appears to be more of a role-playing-game akin to the Pokémon games for Game Boy. The "XD" in its name stands for "Xtra Dimension," referring to the added gameplay and universe in which the game takes place. Still in Colosseum's [[bp:Orre|Orre]] region, players in XD roam the land searching to purify the hearts of [[bp:Shadow Pokémon|Shadow Pokémon]] and snag them from their trainers.


In terms of story, Pokémon XD sounds decidedly simple, much like other titles in the series. Turns out the XD in the title stands for extra dimension, as the game takes place in a whole new universe from the other Pokémon titles. In this universe, creatures known as shadow Pokémon roam around just waiting to be captured. The actual demo starts in some sort of futuristic temple, where two scientists (or professors) give players orders to investigate the surrounding ruins. Looks as though this funky facility was once used as a battleground where criminals would fight with [[bp:Shadow Pokémon|shadow Pokémon]]. These shadow Pokémon have had their hearts locked through some mysterious, artificial process.
As for specific details regarding the game, a demo at E3 began in futuristic temple, where players were instructed to explore the surrounding ruins. The battle format is similar to that of Colosseum and the Game Boy games; the battle experienced by IGN reviewers was a [[bp:Double Battle|Double Battle]]. After defeating the trainer outside the ruins and capturing his Shadow [[bp:Pikachu (Pokémon)|Pikachu]], players were allowed to keep exploring, much like in the Game Boy games.


It's not long before a human boasting several excess layers of muscle tissue assaults players. In Pokémon XD, each fighter enters battle with two Pokémon, with much of the pre-battle arrangements being similar to that previous Poké-titles. The first fighter called on [[bp:Pikachu (Pokémon)|Pikachu]] and [[bp:Zubat (Pokémon)|Zubat]]. Before the fight began, the protagonist uses a scanner on the two enemy Pokémon and discovers Pikachu is a shadow Pokémon. Players won't be able to tell whether a Pokémon is shadow class just from looking at them, since they look the same as normal Pokémon; you need to scan them and discover a shadow "aura" first.
While very few parts of the game were playable at the time, reports from the scene indicated that players had high hopes for the title, calling it a more mature version of the Pokémon franchise.
 
Shadow Pokémon won't attack using their normal abilities, but shadow-powered ones instead. So in the first battle, Pikachu didn't used his regular [[bp:Electric (Type)|Electric]]-type attacks but shadow moves, instead. After defeating the enemy and capturing the shadow Pokémon, it's then possible to move into the odd facility and keep exploring.
 
All in all, Pokémon XD looks to deliver something unique, at least as far as Pokémon on GameCube is concerned. Unfortunately, not much of the game was playable, but what was available grants a pretty good indication of how the title will end.


== External Links ==
== External Links ==
[http://media.cube.ign.com/media/716/716652/vids_1.html Direct feed gameplay videos from IGN]
[http://media.cube.ign.com/media/716/716652/vids_1.html Direct feed gameplay videos from IGN]

Revision as of 22:16, 21 May 2005

Pokémon XD: A true Pokémon RPG?
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  • Friday, May 20, 2005
  • Originally reported on IGN

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At E3 this week, the buzz regarding Nintendo was mostly based around its upcoming console, Revolution. However, at Nintendo's own booth, it was a different story. While the company was giving out four free Pokémon dolls to visitors, most fans of the Pokémon franchise were there to see the newest offering for GameCube- Pokémon XD: Gale of Darkness.

While Pokémon XD appears and plays much like its predecessor, Pokémon Colosseum, using similar colors, textures, and battle formats, it also appears to be more of a role-playing-game akin to the Pokémon games for Game Boy. The "XD" in its name stands for "Xtra Dimension," referring to the added gameplay and universe in which the game takes place. Still in Colosseum's Orre region, players in XD roam the land searching to purify the hearts of Shadow Pokémon and snag them from their trainers.

As for specific details regarding the game, a demo at E3 began in futuristic temple, where players were instructed to explore the surrounding ruins. The battle format is similar to that of Colosseum and the Game Boy games; the battle experienced by IGN reviewers was a Double Battle. After defeating the trainer outside the ruins and capturing his Shadow Pikachu, players were allowed to keep exploring, much like in the Game Boy games.

While very few parts of the game were playable at the time, reports from the scene indicated that players had high hopes for the title, calling it a more mature version of the Pokémon franchise.

External Links

Direct feed gameplay videos from IGN