HOENN

Note: Also posted at Superfluous Rex, an awesome community blog that you should check out! I am a guest writer there, when I actually write things (*ﾉдﾉ)

So the internet is all a-quiver, they've finally done it!

HOENN REMAKES! ;A;

It's ridiculous to ask who else is excited, but there's always those who'd prefer a new region over a remake. I can't wait! I think it's a great chance for those new to Pokemon to experience a bit of the series' history (some kids playing Pokemon now didn't play these first time around and that makes me feel very old...) and for veterans it's a chance to indulge in a bit of nostalgia!

They've waited long enough. Also Groudon looks like fsjal

I'd like to think it was only a matter of time before it was announced really. There were several less than subtle hints littered through X and Y, but with Game Freak you can never be sure if these were just fanservice one-liners. It's great to see that they'll be full games too, I thought they may have been DLC. With X and Y being the only other Pokemon games on the 3DS thus far, I'm intrigued to see how Hoenn will link with Kalos, much like Unova and Sinnoh with Johto with the Heart Gold/Soul Silver releases. With the 'far off region' mentioned in the Strange Souvenir description, one can't help but wonder if it means Hoenn. I wonder if Volcanion is from Hoenn?! I mean Hoenn is water dominated but with the active Mt Chimney, it could be...

You came to the wrong neighbourhood, Volcanion.

I can't wait for word on Contests!! Hoenn was the origin (and in my opinion the best generation) for Pokemon contests! :D I spent way too much time with Pokeblocks as a kid. I really hope they bring the original format back, as much as I like dressing my Pokemon up, I couldn't really warm to Pokemon Musical, or Poffin spinning (my poor DS screen! D: )

Not going to lie, my real room pretty much looks like this anyway.

I hope that secret bases will return! I loved these back in the day, and spent so long making my perfect den. The only problem was, well, being in the UK, there wasn't really anyone else I knew to share bases with. StreetPass is the perfect way to share bases and battles! The closest we've had with the WiFi generation is Diamond and Pearl's Underground, which I loved, but again unless you were at events it was rare to encounter another digging for fossils (and getting another goddamn green shard!).

A lot of people complained when the original Ruby and Sapphire were released because of the water-dominated map. I loved the geography of Hoenn! I love the city central regions like Kalos and Kanto, but it's nice to see a bit of variation in settings. Although Unova wasn't my favourite generation, I did love the difference in locations, it really made you feel like you were travelling on a real journey with your friends, rather than just visiting cities.

Anyway with Hoenn, I loved the variety; the desert, Lavaridge town and Mt Chimney, the ethereal Meteor Falls and the spooky Mt Pyre. Even the watery lands were different, Pacifidlog town is reminiscent of the Philippines, Sootopolis was a strange town carved into a crater, and Slateport, ah Slateport, my favourite town <3 I've always had a soft spot for the coastal towns, and Slateport had gorgeous music.

How cute is this song? 

I also feel like Hoenn is where the whole dramatic side of Pokemon started too. Johto was rich in lore and history, but Hoenn was the first cinematic entry in the series. I remember playing Sapphire all those years ago, and panicking when Kyogre caused the worldwide deluge! It was surprisingly tense for a gameboy advance title, I can't wait to see how the 3DS handles it. Groudon's drought terrified me too, for the record. The bleached screen and lack of music was actually pretty unsettling.

See? You can hear the heatstroke.

[Sun intensifies]

Of course, the music too. Besides the horrible drought music above, Hoenn had some wonderful town tunes. I've already mentioned Slateport but Rustboro had a really pleasant tune too. As always, I look forward to the remixes with the 3DS sound! Maybe not the drought music though

I guess this is where the Mega-Lati reveal fits in. I wonder what other legendaries we'll see, will the Regis get their own Mega forms? I hope not, they're terrifying enough.

;___;

If Mega Evolution does carry over, I wonder what we'll see? We've already had Mega Absol, Aggron, Gardevoir and Manectric, how about a Mega for Metagross? Slaking? Milotic? 

I just wanted an excuse to show these adorable monstrosities off

And that's without mentioning the returning faces! I really liked Wally. It was a bit weird that he was sick (what was the deal with that, anyway?) but I loved his Gardevoir (not the way the rest of the internet does). Wallace was fabulous, having a [spoiler?] Gym Leader Dad was pretty awesome, even Archie and Maxie were kind of cool in a goofy villain way. (I always wanted a Team Magma uniform though I thought Aqua were the better crew.) And Steven Stone is still a total babe.

Dashing, rich, and a geology professor! Swoon.

[Unable to trace original artist ;__;]

So what next, Diamond and Pearl remakes? (I'd actually welcome this! They're very underrated.) In all seriousness, I look forward to the slow trickle of news that will sustain me til November. Will Absol be able to Mega Evolve in it's native land? Will that space station finally give word on Jirachi? Will we get Deoxys again? Will it get a new form?! ((#ﾟДﾟ)ﾉ

Deoxys is one of my favourite Pokemon!

What are you looking forward to most? Will you choose Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire? Based off your original GBA choice, or trying something new? Is it too soon to say? Argh!