The Best Pokemon Fan Games and ROM-hacks I've Ever Played! (2024)

Summary

In this video, the creator ranks their top 10 Pokémon fan games and ROM hacks, sharing insights on gameplay, story, and design. They reflect on their long-time experience with the fan game community and emphasize the importance of unique game mechanics, immersive world-building, and compelling narratives. The ranking covers a variety of games, from the classic charm of Pokémon Glazed to the massive, lore-rich world of Pokémon Rejuvenation. With a focus on quality and attention to detail, the video highlights the dedication behind fan-made projects and encourages thoughtful appreciation of their creators.

Takeaways

• 😀 Pokémon Glazed is a nostalgic GBA ROM hack with a smooth, well-balanced experience. Its 2.5 regions and 20 badges offer a lot of content without feeling overwhelming.
• 😀 Infinite Fusion is a surprisingly fun game that allows players to fuse Pokémon, offering over 150,000 unique combinations. It removes common gameplay restrictions and significantly increases replayability.
• 😀 Real Idea System is a visually stunning Spanish fan game with excellent map design, animated battle sprites, and character portraits. It offers a beautiful world and solid gameplay despite a somewhat dull difficulty curve.
• 😀 Pokémon Reborn, known for its difficulty and edginess, has evolved with updates that introduce features like the password system, quality-of-life improvements, and the Field Effect system that makes battles more dynamic.
• 😀 Pokémon Harmonia is an underrated gem praised for its smooth pacing, unique region, and well-designed Fyon. It is a well-rounded and enjoyable experience, perfect for replaying multiple times.
• 😀 Pokémon Flux introduces the concept of visible wild encounters and features unique fake Eons. It has a rich ambiance and well-optimized performance, offering an immersive and refreshing gameplay experience.
• 😀 Pokémon Odyssey stands out for its world-building and storytelling. It does away with the typical gym badge structure and instead features captains and a nonlinear form of exploration. It also offers numerous updates that improve quality of life.
• 😀 Pokémon Unbound is a highly praised ROM hack but doesn't resonate with everyone. Its attempt to merge modern features with classic gameplay may create an identity crisis, especially in terms of overworld style and narrative pacing.
• 😀 Pokémon Insurgence has received praise for its Delta forms but falls short in terms of route design, difficulty consistency, and music choices. It also suffers from a lack of engaging exploration and repetitive story elements.
• 😀 Pokémon Xenoverse is criticized for its lack of artistic direction and story depth. While some players praise it, the unclear visual style and long, unskippable cutscenes detract from its potential as a fan game.
• 😀 Pokémon Desolation stands out for its compelling narrative and strong character development, particularly the Dreamscape arc. The world-building is excellent, and the small cast of characters makes it easier for players to form emotional connections.
• 😀 Pokémon Rejuvenation is a massive, well-polished fan game that excels in creating a vibrant world with engaging characters and two diverging story paths. Despite its scale, it has been criticized by some, though it remains one of the most ambitious fan projects.

Q & A

What makes Pokémon Glazed stand out from other fan games?

Pokémon Glazed is praised for its smooth gameplay, biome diversity, and balance between difficulty and content. It provides a seamless experience with a range of environments that keeps the game exciting without overwhelming the player.

How does Infinite Fusion differ from other Pokémon fan games?

Infinite Fusion stands out because of its unique fusion mechanic, allowing players to combine over 150,000 Pokémon pairs. This mechanic opens up new possibilities for strategy and customization, making it a fun and engaging experience for players.

Why does the reviewer consider Pokémon Reborn a challenging game?

Pokémon Reborn is considered challenging due to its field effect system, which requires players to adapt their strategies based on the environment and battle conditions. This system adds complexity and depth to the gameplay, making it a difficult but rewarding experience.

What is special about Pokémon Desolation's story?

Pokémon Desolation's story is particularly praised for its emotional depth and complexity. The Dreamscape arc, in particular, is highlighted as one of the most well-written narrative segments in Pokémon fan games, with a strong focus on mystery and psychological tension.

How does Pokémon Rejuvenation compare to other fan games in terms of content?

Pokémon Rejuvenation is seen as a standout due to its massive scope, including 18 planned gyms, five islands, and an Elite 8. The game offers extensive lore, side quests, and two diverging paths (Paragon and Renegade), providing a rich and varied experience.

What are the two main paths in Pokémon Rejuvenation, and how do they impact the game?

In Pokémon Rejuvenation, players can choose between the Paragon (good) and Renegade (bad) paths based on their decisions throughout the story. This choice impacts the narrative, and as the game progresses, the two paths will completely diverge, offering different storylines and outcomes.

Why is the development of Pokémon Rejuvenation so noteworthy?

The development of Pokémon Rejuvenation is remarkable because it has been in the works for over 10 years, created by a dedicated team of developers and artists. This level of commitment is rare for a free-to-play fan game and contributes to the game's high quality.

What is the criticism directed at Pokémon Xenoverse in the review?

Pokémon Xenoverse is criticized for its poor artistic direction, lackluster battle animations, and confusing storyline. Despite the praise it has received, the reviewer feels it falls short in comparison to other fan games that offer a more polished experience.

What do the reviewers recommend players do when criticizing a fan game?

The reviewer suggests that players should voice their criticisms in a respectful and considerate way. This approach helps developers improve their games while also fostering a healthy community of feedback and discussion.

How does the reviewer feel about comparing fan games to each other?

The reviewer expresses a belief that while it's fine to compare fan games, players should not expect all games to meet the same standards. Personal preferences vary, and it’s important to appreciate the unique aspects of each game rather than focusing solely on their flaws.