This review concerns the core adventure (beating bad guys and being Champion). Multiplayer, contests, postgame, catching 'em all do not apply here)
Pokemon Emerald, or the Chinese bootleg of it, was my first Pokemon game. For this reason, I do not have good memories with it. But biases aside, is it any good?
Gen III introduces double battle, during which the balance of the game changes instantly. Moves like leer, growl, and surf became buffed while you'll need to think twice before pulling explosion. They don't happen often enough (and even less so in later non-spinoff games)to built a party specifically for them but they add a nice variety. The GBA games are before the Physical/Special split so if you have a fire Pokemon with high attack and low special you're screwed.
I don't like how the Bag is limited, especially when Berries do not have their own pocket.
Maxie and Archie are the first ambitious villains in the series as opposed to local Mafia, and the only two (in core games) to duke out at each other, creating some cool enemy mine. That being said they really need to have their eyes checked and think through their plans thoroughly. The Admins are there for the sake of having Admins.
Steven is also the first Champion to be more involved in the plot. He is also one of the most popular, competing with Cynthia from Gen IV
The shortcomings of the game have apparently addressed in ORAS. I do not have a 3DS (financial problems) but I hope in the 7th/8th gens Sinnoh will be improved and Vindicated by History. As it is I'd put Emerald above FRLG (blasphemy, I know) and below the DS titles. Why do I think so low of Gen 1? I don't, but you can read my review there.
Pokemon Emerald (NOT ORAS)
This review concerns the core adventure (beating bad guys and being Champion). Multiplayer, contests, postgame, catching 'em all do not apply here)
Pokemon Emerald, or the Chinese bootleg of it, was my first Pokemon game. For this reason, I do not have good memories with it. But biases aside, is it any good?
Gen III introduces double battle, during which the balance of the game changes instantly. Moves like leer, growl, and surf became buffed while you'll need to think twice before pulling explosion. They don't happen often enough (and even less so in later non-spinoff games)to built a party specifically for them but they add a nice variety. The GBA games are before the Physical/Special split so if you have a fire Pokemon with high attack and low special you're screwed. I don't like how the Bag is limited, especially when Berries do not have their own pocket.
Maxie and Archie are the first ambitious villains in the series as opposed to local Mafia, and the only two (in core games) to duke out at each other, creating some cool enemy mine. That being said they really need to have their eyes checked and think through their plans thoroughly. The Admins are there for the sake of having Admins.
Steven is also the first Champion to be more involved in the plot. He is also one of the most popular, competing with Cynthia from Gen IV
The shortcomings of the game have apparently addressed in ORAS. I do not have a 3DS (financial problems) but I hope in the 7th/8th gens Sinnoh will be improved and Vindicated by History. As it is I'd put Emerald above FRLG (blasphemy, I know) and below the DS titles. Why do I think so low of Gen 1? I don't, but you can read my review there.