[This is gonna be another super-long post. Sorry!]
Day: 008
First thing I do in the morning is immediately head towards the Team Magma Hideout, and let me just say, wow. Just… Wow. Ok, this has got to be one of my all-time favorite interior re-designs in this game so far. The Hideout looks
amazing, especially in comparison to the original. I am also extremely happy to see they kept the Warp Panels, and that the animation and SFX have not changed! I absolutely love it in here. Wow.
In any case, as I defeat a couple of Grunts, my Vibrava evolves into Flygon, having my entire team finally reach their last evolutions! I work my way around the Hideout, finding a couple of interesting things along the way. The first one being the library and shelves that speak about
PROJECT AZOTH, a really nice addition to the Hideout that tells us more about their plans and what Primal Reversion actually is. They also merge the story from X/Y a bit into this one, which is something I've noticed throughout my journey that I really appreciate.
As I continue to investigate I also stumble upon Courtney and Tabitha's rooms, both of which further show us more of their personality, which was a really nice touch. I also find what a scientist calls "The Magma Suit", which I originally thought was just the Team Magma uniforms, but I am later proven wrong about that fact. It seems that Tabitha and Courtney aren't the only rooms I can reach, as I manage to find my way into Maxie's room, as well. In here I find two Electrodes [*grumbles*], a Nugget and the fabled
Master Ball. I've always found it hilarious that you just straight up steal it from him.
When I finally get to reach the floor with the Submarine Explorer 1, I am delighted to see that the area has been made much larger and it now includes both more Grunts
and more of information about their plans [in regards to the Submarine] scattered about. This really does feel a lot more like a Hideout now. I also find a really interesting new addition, a Team Magma Grunt Quintuplet group to battle! Afterwards I come upon Courtney [rather than Tabitha like in the original], who is serving as a distraction to me while Maxie and the rest inside the Submarine get ready to escape. I battle her, but just like last time it is too late. She does, however, hints at the Team's next destination. I then [reluctantly] leave, heal and then make my way through Route 124 towards Mossdeep City!
Before entering the City I go to the Shoal Cave and capture all the Pokémon there and investigate for a bit. Afterwards I enter Mossdeep City, heal my Pokémon and just walk around town, talking with everyone. After I'm done with that, I go and challenge this city's Gym! Now, this Gym has been
completely redesigned, and I actually like it
a lot more than the original! It keeps the same core traveling method while still managing to make it visually fit not only the brand new aesthetic of the Gym, but the theme of Psychic type Pokémon. The complexity of the original's puzzle may be gone, as this one is a lot more straightforward, but the overall new design definitely makes up for it, in my opinion. This has got to be my favorite Gym so far. When I reach Tate & Liza and talking to them, I am greeted with what is probably the nicest Gym Leader
stance and animation before a battle. They are also now my favorite Gym Leaders so far. I am saddened to see that they each have only one Pokémon, but regardless I make quick work of them and receive the Mind Badge!
The moment I step outside of the Gym, a new scene exclusive to this remake takes place. An earth-shattering sound rings around the island city, causing the ground the shake and accompanied by a green beam of light out in the sea that stretches onto the sky. Steven is amongst the crowd of onlookers when he notices me. He decides we should talk in private, so we head on to his house where he then explains what that sound and light was. It seems that the seal which was holding Groudon has been undone, and Steven fears it won't be long before Team Magma awakens him. In an effort to help him stop them, he hands me the Steven Gift #5, HM07 Dive, along with Steven Gift #6, the Devon Scuba Gear [an item I very much appreciate as it makes Diving make a lot more sense]. He gives me an idea of where to find the Seafloor Cavern and tells me that he will join me later.
With all of that in mind I leave Steven's House and go out in search of the Seafloor Cavern on Route 128. Once I find it, I enter the cave from under water and wonder why the Submarine isn't there, since I remember it being there in the original game. When I come up to the surface, however, that question is answered. It does actually make more sense for it to be on top if no one's in it. I go through the Seafloor Cavern, pretty content with seeing that it had been mostly unchanged, aside from a few things here and there. When I finally find Maxie it seems that, unlike the original, Archie has reached the him before I did. Not only that, but I absolutely love what they did with Groudon in this scene. I love the fact that he is now in a lava pit, submerged and out of reach from our characters, and that he has solidified into stone. It is a really nice change that is both "new" and extremely reminiscent to the original game!
In any case, Maxie is overjoyed at not only managing to find the super-ancient Pokémon he had been searching for so long, but also because Archie and I, the two who have been trying to stop him, are there to witness it. In his manic state he challenges me to a battle, promising he'll use Mega Evolution for the first time against me. The battle stage during this is just stunning. Having my Pokémon standing on lava during a battle feels fantastic. It seems that, even after being brutally beaten by a kid, Maxie's manic state continues. He laughs maniacally and speaks more about Groudon and the power of Primal Reversion. He's about to use the Red Orb [contrary to the original game] when Tabitha bursts into the scene and begs him to stop, which is also new to the remake and I rather enjoy this change.
Feeling betrayed Maxie awakens Groudon regardless, the stone shell covering it breaking off and revealing the super-ancient Pokémon at last! Groudon then leaps out from his crevice, onto the surface, and causes a massive ball of fire to form above Sootopolis, creating the strong, blistering heat that encompasses everything. With a pool of lava beneath his feet to help him move, Groudon slowly begins making his way towards Sootopolis. Maxie is called by some members and told that the heat is a lot worse than they had anticipated. Baffled by this sudden turn of events, the group decides to return to the surface and see for themselves.
Once we're out of the caverns we are greeted by a heat like no other. Maxie realizes the grave implications of what he has just done, but a little too late. Archie scolds him further and apologizes on his behalf for what has just transpired. He explains how the Cave of Origin located at Sootopolis houses a pool of the energy that Groudon craves to achieve Primal Reversion [an extremely cool addition to the story, as it explains why Groudon left and changes location]. With that, they leave to try and see what they can do. Just as they leave, however, Steven arrives and explains how this is exactly what is depicted happened centuries ago on the mural at Granite Cave [a great callback to an already fantastic addition to the story] and then leaves toward Sootopolis in hopes of finding a way to help. I am now back in control.
Now, let me start off by saying that the story is playing out a lot smoother and nicer than in the original game, and that's saying a lot seeing as how Gen 3 is my favorite in the series. Not only do I love the changes and addition to the story that make it work so much better, but I am also really pleased with the way they make the heat look in this game! Anyway, I get up on Aggron's back set sail for Route 126 in search for the entrance of Sootopolis!
I spend way too much time battling all of the trainers that surround Sootopolis, both above and under water, but eventually I reach the City! Once inside I am smacked clean in the face with nostalgia. Sootopolis was one of those places that stood out to me greatly as a kid, and I love being able to revisit it, filly remade in 3D. In any case, I heal my Pokémon, restock on some items, save and then call it a night!
~My Current Team:
Sceptile ♂ Lvl. 53
Timid @ Sceptilite
Ability: Overgrow
- Leaf Blade
- X-Scissor
- Dual Chop
- Grass Pledge
Gallade ♂ Lvl. 53
Jolly @ Metronome
Ability: Steadfast
- Close Combat
- Rock Smash
- Dazzling Gleam
- Psycho Cut
Manectric ♂ Lvl. 52
Timid @ Manectite
Ability: Lightning Rod
- Ice Fang
- Overheat
- Volt Switch
- Strength
Aggron ♀ Lvl. 52
Docile @ Aggronite
Ability: Sturdy
- Rock Slide
- EArthquake
- Iron Head
- Surf
Sharpedo ♂ Lvl. 52
Adamant @ Rocky Helmet
Ability: Rough Skin
- Crunch
- Secret Power
- Ice Fang
- Dive
Flygon ♀ Lvl. 53
Adamant @ Soft Sand
Ability: Arena Trap
- Uproar
- Fly
- Dragon Claw
- Earthquake
