First, let me say that these games are a contender for the best JRPG on the NDS and you should absolutely play them. However, I decided that I have an axe to grind with the nostalgia-blind fanboys who treat these games like the second coming of Christ while comparing Scarlet and Violet to the likes of Sonic 06 and Superman 64 and putting it down without calling them out would leave a bad taste in my mouth. So if this review comes off as negative, don't take that as a sign that I hate these games, because I love them to death.
First, these games are slow, and while Gen IV being slow is a well-worn criticism, it's REALLY slow. So slow that I had to use action replay codes that uncap the framerate during battles to make it tolerable, and even then I found myself switching on Des Mune's feature that takes the framerate well beyond what the original DS can handle using resources from your PC when grinding.
Second, many people would have you believe that the definitive Johto experience is to go to Kanto and beat all the gyms, and the game isn't truly over until you've beaten Red at the summit of Mt Silver. However, this is a flat out lie. While it's a worthy capstone to your adventure and a fun time, it's not an entire second half of the game as many would have you believe. All of the Kanto Gyms can be beaten in an afternoon. And Red is not a True Final Boss. He's a super boss and should be treated as such. He does Super Boss things like run Blizzard on his Snorlax which would be a wasted move slot if it weren't always hailing up there. If you want to put the game down after beating Lance, don't feel like you're missing much.
Also, the villains are extremely forgettable, and that's putting it nicely. Heart Gold and Soul Silver actually tried to make Johto's iteration of Team Rocket LESS bland by giving them actual admins, but I still couldn't tell you any of their names besides Proton due to a funny fangirl Grunt in the Radio Tower.
Ending this pretty negative review for a game I actually really like on a positive note, the Johto dex is nowhere near as bad as the memes would suggest. Actually it's quite excellent. It's probably the best thing about HGSS. Never in a Pokemon game have I had a more difficult time limiting myself to just 6 Pokemon to take on my adventure. Evolution Stones are nowhere near as much of a pain in the neck to obtain as people say either. I got enough points for a stone after about 30 minutes of grinding the Pokeathlon. Also, contrary to popular belief the Johto original Pokemon actually have a fair amount of interesting and strong Pokemon. It's just the ones that suck REALLY suck.
In conclusion, a great game, one of the all-time great JRP Gs, but still extremely overrated with a lot of problems.
Heart Gold and Soul Silver: An overrated masterpiece
First, let me say that these games are a contender for the best JRPG on the NDS and you should absolutely play them. However, I decided that I have an axe to grind with the nostalgia-blind fanboys who treat these games like the second coming of Christ while comparing Scarlet and Violet to the likes of Sonic 06 and Superman 64 and putting it down without calling them out would leave a bad taste in my mouth. So if this review comes off as negative, don't take that as a sign that I hate these games, because I love them to death.
First, these games are slow, and while Gen IV being slow is a well-worn criticism, it's REALLY slow. So slow that I had to use action replay codes that uncap the framerate during battles to make it tolerable, and even then I found myself switching on Des Mune's feature that takes the framerate well beyond what the original DS can handle using resources from your PC when grinding.
Second, many people would have you believe that the definitive Johto experience is to go to Kanto and beat all the gyms, and the game isn't truly over until you've beaten Red at the summit of Mt Silver. However, this is a flat out lie. While it's a worthy capstone to your adventure and a fun time, it's not an entire second half of the game as many would have you believe. All of the Kanto Gyms can be beaten in an afternoon. And Red is not a True Final Boss. He's a super boss and should be treated as such. He does Super Boss things like run Blizzard on his Snorlax which would be a wasted move slot if it weren't always hailing up there. If you want to put the game down after beating Lance, don't feel like you're missing much.
Also, the villains are extremely forgettable, and that's putting it nicely. Heart Gold and Soul Silver actually tried to make Johto's iteration of Team Rocket LESS bland by giving them actual admins, but I still couldn't tell you any of their names besides Proton due to a funny fangirl Grunt in the Radio Tower.
Ending this pretty negative review for a game I actually really like on a positive note, the Johto dex is nowhere near as bad as the memes would suggest. Actually it's quite excellent. It's probably the best thing about HGSS. Never in a Pokemon game have I had a more difficult time limiting myself to just 6 Pokemon to take on my adventure. Evolution Stones are nowhere near as much of a pain in the neck to obtain as people say either. I got enough points for a stone after about 30 minutes of grinding the Pokeathlon. Also, contrary to popular belief the Johto original Pokemon actually have a fair amount of interesting and strong Pokemon. It's just the ones that suck REALLY suck.
In conclusion, a great game, one of the all-time great JRP Gs, but still extremely overrated with a lot of problems.