A simplified history of Pokemon's metagame part 3: Ruby and Sapphire

Ah, the RSE generation. Personally my favorite generation even though the game itself is probably the guiltiest in terms of padding game design as over half the routes were waterways meant to be traversed via Surf or Dive. This of course meant endless random encounters and trainer battles. While the game touted new additions such as abilities and double battles, my favorite thing about the RSE generation was the addition of weather changing moves that changed the battlefield.

I hope you like Surf, because you're going to do a lot of it!

A simpliefied history of Pokemon's metagame part 2: Gold and Silver

Of all the things that stick out in the metagame of Pokémon's first generation, the lack of a hard counter to psychic-type was most glaring. Alakazam was top dog and nothing could stand up to its dominance. So when Gold and Silver (and eventually Crystal) came out, the metagame was shook to the core as the world seemingly changed around Alakazam. Thus Gold and Silver signaled the beginning of the end for Alakazam's glory days.

The Pokemon League: A simplified history of Pokemon's metagame part 1: RBY

At its most basic, Pokemon hasn't changed a whole lot. You and your opponent send out little monsters, you tell them how to fight and the last one standing is the winner.

But how they battle and who was most powerful has changed a great deal since the days of Red, Blue, and Yellow. Fighting types are all the rage now but remember a time when they were a joke? Remember a time when Quick Attack was the only guaranteed, priority move-first attack in the game? Remember when the Gengar family was the only ghost types in existence?

Let's take a quick stroll down memory and reminisce about where we've really come in terms of progression of such a long lasting franchise that has changed subtly over the years so much.

The Pokemon League: A brief analysis of the Eeveelutions from the Dream World

So you think you have a team ready to battle your friends and they're Pokemon? If you think you've got all your options figured out it's time to clear the wax out of your ears! The Dream World is coming and the official Pokemon website has started the launch process for Dream World.

While Dream World's official launch is still on hiatus due to Japan's earthquake, the official website has launched a flash game called “Befriend a Pokemon” which is basically Breakout. Collect color coded spheres during the game and beat all 5 levels and you'll be rewarded with a specific evolved formed of Eevee based on the items you've collected. Catch lots of red orbs and you get fire-typed Flareon. Catch lots of yellow orbs and get Jolteon.

But you can only pick one and there's no going back once you decide to take what you earn. So which forms should you consider and which are forms you're better off getting in the standard game?

Ignoring Marvel 3 Like the Stepchild It Is

Sorry about the lack of posts but you know how it is. A personal blog about gaming so the writer must be gaming a lot. Also he has no job and worries to himself about it. Privately. While eating chocolate. Right, actually it's toffee.

So what have I been playing?