Pokemon Link aka Pokemon Trozei – Review

Every now and again I find myself getting sucked into puzzle games. If someone were to ask me about the genre, then I normally wouldn’t necessarily say that I was a fan, but some games are just so good that they get me. Games like Bejeweled and Tetris are classics that are both difficult to hate. When I realized the new Pokemon Link (Pokemon Trozei) game was a puzzle title, I wasn’t overly excited, but I thought I would give it a go anyway. I have to say, I am already losing hours of my life to this game.

A recent stay in hospital was the (unfortunate) opening I needed to get into some Pokemon. The entire Pokemon phenomenon didn’t really win me over but, having small kids in the house at that time, it was obvious that children loved it. The phrase “Gotta Catch ‘Em All” is something that’s emblazoned in my mind and I figured that this would come into play in Pokemon Link somehow, and it does. Basically, the gameplay sees you matching similar Pokemon in lines of four (minimum). It’s typical of many puzzle games where you match objects in order to move on. In Pokemon Link, you battle against time, making sure you can reach your target number of links before your screen fills up. You utilize the stylus to control the game and slide the Pokemon puzzle pieces around the screen. The great aspect of this game is that you can line them up vertically or horizontally and can move entire rows around, or single pieces, to make the desired link. As you make these links, you are given the option of a Trozei Chance, where you can then make links of 3 or 2 pieces. This soon adds up your links and, before you know it, you’re off and running with high scores. There are added little incentives in linking, and when you link up more Pokemon than are needed, you’ll get a little blobby pink Pokemon named Ditto appearing on screen. He is a beautifully little helpful guy who will link up with any Pokemon at all—extremely handy when running short of time. If you manage to clear the screen, you’ll receive a bonus and will then head off on your next puzzle adventure.

Pokemon Link has plenty of gaming modes available and they’re split between two single-player modes and two multiplayer modes. The most common mode to begin with is ‘Adventure’ as this tells you the story of the Pokemon and why you must save them from the evil clutches of the Phobos Battalion. Adventure mode allows you to learn the ropes as well as progress with the increasing difficulty levels. As you set off trying to recapture the stolen Pokemon, you’ll travel through various locations and use your link beamer to bring the lovely Pokemon home. Defeating the mighty Phobos Battalion is brilliant and you will actually enjoy kicking their collective ass. Adventure mode, for me, is the best way of playing single player as the other option, endless play, is slightly too repetitive and never-ending (funnily enough). The good aspect of this is that you can collect certain type of Pokemon in it also, which is a major part of the game overall. You’ll be told which kind of Pokemon you’re meant to capture and you get a great sense of achievement when you do.

Multiplayer on the DS is an equal staple to that of single-player gaming, and Pokemon Link is no different in that respect. If you’re playing against a great puzzle player, prepare to struggle because, chances are, they’ll constantly beat you. You can play in ‘Battle’ mode to have fun with your friends, and you can send them non-matching Pokemon to toughen up their task. These soon fill up their screen, causing major problems for their gameplay, and hopefully helping you win the game. The other available option for playing is ‘Pair Link’ and this is where you play in a team to group your strengths and challenge the high scores. This is a great way of bringing players together because you will help one another succeed, and the beauty is that you can play this via download play—albeit in a shortened version. There really are no solid excuses for people not to own Pokemon Link. it truly is that excellent.

The graphics on this title aren’t exactly groundbreaking, but then they don’t need to be since it’s a puzzle game. The Pokemon are great and they look just like they do in the cartoon. There are over 380 Pokemon and trying to ‘catch ‘em all’ will take up a great deal of your time. The puzzle screen makes up the majority of the game, although the intro scenes and cut scenes are also extremely cartoon-like and very memorable.

The sound on Pokemon Link is fine. It’s nothing outstanding, but it’s basically techno-sounding dance music. It adds to the frenetic aspects of the gameplay. Deaf gamers won’t be at any disadvantage here as they can enjoy the game with the sound or without it.

Hurray! You play as a female heroine from the very beginning of Pokemon Link! The name of your character is Lucy Fleetfoot and she is a secret agent working for the SOL (Secret Operation League). It is her job to find the Pokemon and bring them home safely. She looks like a funky version of Kim Possible, and she totally rocks! For once, stringent gender allocation is reversed here (the game offers no choice as to whether you wish to play as male or female), and you’re given female from the beginning. This is great for girl gamers and really made me smile when I saw it. Even the main villain, General Aquarella, is a female Phobos member, so Pokemon Link proves an all-round great game for the oft-overlooked female demographic.

Pokemon Link is a brilliant addition to the consistently great DS family. It’s an addictive little puzzle game, and even those who aren’t that into the genre, or Pokemon games, should still give it a go. One missed opportunity exists in the lack of WiFi play, which is sadly absent; but you’ll still love it, regardless of the fact you can’t play with friends all over the world. Pokemon Link is simply excellent; you should definitely get it and see how long it takes before you’re singing ‘Gotta Match ‘Em All’.

Review by Tracy

No Comments »

No comments yet.

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment