The Pokémon Company International and Nintendo officially blew our minds open today with the announcement of Pokémon X and Y. The games will mark the very first entries in the next generation of Pokémon (that's Generation VI, for anyone keeping count). They’re also the very first set of core games to make use of a completely 3D graphical style, as well as the first made from the ground up for the Nintendo 3DS. Marking another first for the series - both games will be launching globally this coming October. This means all Pokémon fans will be able to start the game at the same time, rather than the rest of the world watching jealously from a distance as Japan dives in months ahead.
Outside of a trailer and a handful of screenshots, very little has been revealed about Pokémon X and Y. But we're not going to let that stop us, are we? For your hypothesizing pleasure, I've been delving through all the screenshots and picking through the trailer, and what I found was rather interesting. Below you'll find a summary of everything we know about the game so far, based on what's been shown. A lot of this is still speculative, of course, as we'll likely have to wait a bit longer for the official details to start rolling out. Until then, take a look, let me know in the comments if I missed anything, and take a moment to imagine the possibilities of Pokémon’s first fully 3D outing.
First, check out our Rewind Theater of the Pokémon X and Y trailer (below), then scroll on down for an even more in-depth analysis of all the secrets this trailer and the handful of released screenshots hold.
It wouldn't be a new generation of Pokémon games without a fresh set of starters, and the debut X and Y trailer didn't disappoint. This next generation you’ll have the option of adventuring with the grass-type chipmunk thing with a hat called Chespin, pictured below.
There's also this Fire-type fox thing named Fennekin. Hopefully Vulpix doesn't get jealous!
And finally, there's the Water-frog named Froakie... which possibly has the best starter name ever.
Dynamic Battle Camera
One of the first things you're likely to notice in regards to the footage shown is the dynamic battle camera. No longer stuck behind the back of your monster (with the occasional zoom-in on the opponent getting attacked), it looks like we'll be treated to several different camera angles in Pokémon X and Y. Also notice how much more complex the attacks themselves are. This should make grinding for experience points a lot more interesting to behold.
While you’re checking out these screenshots, be sure to drink in (as if you could miss it) the shiny 3D graphics on show. Those 3D models look familiar, don't they? They look awfully similar to the 3D models on display in Pokédex 3D Pro, which is definitely not a bad thing. We knew those models wouldn’t go to waste.
So far things are looking good for the franchise’s first 3D entry - but do keep in mind as you check out these screenshots and the trailer that the footage you're seeing is stretched. It will look even sharper on the smaller 3DS screen.
Legendary Chromosomes
The trailer was brief, but it did give us our first glimpse at the titular legendary monsters for this next set of games. Nintendo just announced the names of the monsters today, so we have the Y-shaped bird monster Yveltal (pronounced ee-VELL-tawl and likely the mascot for Pokémon Y... just a hunch) and the X-shaped deer monster Xerneas (pronounced ZURR-nee-us, which we're guessing is the mascot for Pokémon X). Take a look at that bird in the image below, and compare to the Pokémon Y logo. Notice the tip of the wings compared to the top of the Y? Very similar, no? Same goes for the antlers and the top of the second logo's X.
Now take a look at the legendary, X-shaped Pokémon...
A New Generation of Trainers
Now that we've already taken a glimpse at the starters, a pair of legendaries and the new battle camera... you may like to know who you'll actually be playing as. Once more it looks like you'll be able to choose to play as either a male or female trainer. It's hard to tell since the graphical style is so different, but the trainers in this set of games appear to be a bit older than in previous generations. Or maybe it's just those long legs and arms, who knows! Speaking of, these are the most realistic and correctly proportioned trainers yet.
Below you'll see the trainer dude looking at himself in the mirror. Notice the bag, which he'll be carrying his Pokémon gear in (not to be confused with Pokégear from Gold and Silver). He also has sunglasses on his hat. Perhaps clothing is customizable? That may be a stretch, but you never know.
And here's the trainer dudette, running by some flowers (it's a bit blurry because it's a screenshot of her in motion). It's a small detail, but those are easily the most detailed flowers yet, as is the glittering water and the trees in the distance.
There's also this cute, yellow monster, who you may recognize. No, it's not a trainer, but I thought this was as good a time as any to point out what his presence means. Rather than being limited to just new Pokémon, a la Black and White, you'll be able to catch monsters from all generations in X and Y. This also means trading between this version and the DS generations will likely be available a lot sooner than it was in Black and White.
On the Road Again
If the trailer is any indication, Pokémon X and Y will have you traveling to all manner of different locations in your quest to become the very best. We'll start with what looks to be one of the first towns in the game. Notice the road sign that marks Route 3? That leads me to believe the map layout and general progression in X and Y will be alike to past games. You can also see a town in the distance (is that red building the Pokémon Center?), as well as grass further down the trail (where the random encounters will presumably take place) and opponents standing in wait for a trainer to challenge.
Up next we see the male trainer rollerblading through a large city. As we saw earlier in the flower screenshot, running is already confirmed, which means rollerblading may replace the bike as the faster means of transportation. In the background it looks like... the Eiffel Tower. Which is strange. Is the newest region France?!
Here we have a desert area, with some mysterious-looking domed buildings in the distance. This new, 3D visual style allows for much more detailed and unique building and area design, so hopefully the whole game is as varied as these handful of screenshots lead us to believe.
In this screenshot it looks like the female trainer is running from a huge mansion (presumably not the Pokémon Mansion from the first game). In the upper right corner you can see a pair of Dratini gargoyles, and in the center there's some sort of stone statue. It's hard to see what the statue is, but it looks to contain stone depictions of Golurk, Palpitoad and perhaps Bisharp or a knight (or maybe a new monster from generation VI).
And here we have a couple of forest screenshots (note that the bottom one is a tad blurry because the trainers are running). In the top image the trainer seems to be circling his way up the most epic tree house in the history of ever. Notice how he's swinging from a vine? Those little footprints on the ground seem to indicate where you can swing and in what direction. This is the first time in the series players will be able to get their Tarzan on.
Grab Your Tennies... It's Gym Time!
Last but not least, let's take a look at a few places that could very well turn out to be Pokémon gyms (or at least the location of something cool). This first one is almost certainly a gym - you can tell by the symbol on the two columns in front of the door. The trailer shows the room materializing from nothingness amid the vastness of space... which is pretty psychedelic. Perhaps this is the Psychic gym? The blonde guy in the tie is likely the one who will be giving you tips (and perhaps a Fresh Water if he's as generous as his Unova counterpart).
Next up we have an area with some sort of electric web. Or something. You can bounce on it, that much is for sure. This may just be a random location in the forest, but it also looks like it could very well be some grass lover’s gym fortress. Notice the tree fort in the background, and the leaves dripping with water?
Finally, we have one of the most grandiose locations of the whole trailer - a temple of sorts with giant columns of fire. If this is a gym, it's possibly the most epic yet (step aside, Drayden!). Then again, this may be too epic for a simple gym battle. It might be where you encounter one of the legendary monsters, or may even have something to do with the Elite 4.
Exciting stuff, right? Let us know what you think in the comments below, and be sure to sound off on anything we missed. We have a lot more Pokémon coverage on the way, and no doubt tons of news and revelations leading up to the game's October launch - so keep it here on IGN in the coming days, weeks and months for all things Pokémon.
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