I absolutely adore this mod. It's crazy how no one's picked it up yet, I just reached Victory Road and I feel like I've been playing a hidden gem. I love the story changes, incorporation of gym leaders, etcetera. I encountered the Slateport/Lilycove quest and was shook. Arnold has been consistently MVP on my team. I like the reasons given as to why type-enhancing items are sold in different cities. Having evolution stones be key items and not usable makes stone evolutions feel way more viable.
I made Wally call his parents after the volcano quest and was really surprised. I kind of wish the gym leaders also had their phone calls update through the game's plot, instead of just the standard "you can't rematch us yet", but the former was really cool. I like how Roxanne and a couple of the trainers near Petalburg actually know who you are.
Also, just being able to play as an NPC character separate from the protagonists is really cool. Wally is a way more interesting underdog character than Brendan or May, and his dynamic with the other rival is one I find really compelling (not done yet, still just at victory road). The fix to the "why doesn't Steven just do everything" plotline had me in stitches.
I would suggest an additional Audino trainer in Lilycove - having to backtrack to Fortree was a pain, especially since you can't run or bike between the Pokemon Center and the gym. TM placement feels fair, and I like the Frustration mechanic early-game to make Adamant Ralts not the worst thing I've ever used. Moving the block from Rusturf Tunnel to Mauville entrance feels good, I like being able to get Budew/etc early game. For some reason I use Altaria and can't access Dragon Pulse/Moonblast from the move relearner, but it's an Adamant Altaria so I guess I don't mind. I hate Victory Road so far because I have to go back and train a Shiinotic to play HM slave because I am not doing Victory Road in the dark, but the game itself is so good I'm willing to suck it up. It's the first time in the whole game I've had to waste a team slot or even move for an HM, so it's worth it.
I'm definitely going to replay this one once I've finished it, maybe even rec it to some of my friends. A super underrated modhack, I hope someone on youtube picks it up or something because it deserves a lot more attention.
