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�Pokemonification� is a word that would probably get you removed from a Scrabble tournament.
Not just because it�s 16 letters and, as such, longer than an actual Scrabble board.
But it really only has meaning to people like us: People who have witnessed any and every
gaming concept attempting to bend itself over backward in order to include collectable,
usually tradeable doohickeys spread, oftentimes, over two separate versions of the game in
a brazen moneymaking ploy. Bomberman�s done it. Mega Man�s done it. Series not nearly
as venerable have done it too. And now Sunrise, home to a stable of giant robots and associated
properties, are getting into the action with the Game Boy Advance entry in their Harobots
series, featuring those lovable ball-shaped robot mabobs... who actually are other giant
robots, holographically projected?
If you�re unable to see the screen clearly and thought for a moment that this was some
flavor of Pokemon instead of a massive crossover RPG tying together everything from GaoGaiGar
to The Big O... well, that�d be totally understandable, because holy magikarp does
that look like some desperate attempt at a Pokemon game. (Though the Attack/Defense/Speed
stat displays are rather welcome.) It�s one-on-one battling action as you wander through
dungeons and encounter inexplicable grey Haro spoiling for a fight. Each robot-holographic-projection-style
your Haro takes on comes equipped with three attacks, two of which cost some amount of
energy points, while a fourth attack is available only when your EX Power bar down there fills
up. Unfortunately, if you were expecting some huge, shiny special-effect-laden attack (in
other words, if you were conditioned by the Super Robot Wars series), then you�re out
of luck. You get a couple beams of light and a screen-dimming effect, and then the same
sword-swinging animation all your other attacks use.
There�s some innovation in just how your robots come together, as �evolution� in
quotation marks don�t come via level-up but by finding items to merge your existing
robots together or modify them somehow. There are also improved computer systems to give
your bots a stat boost, as well as a series of formations that offer general modifications
to attack, defense, and speed to your entire party. That said, there are certain balance
issues I noticed that make this game, franchise recognition and all, a bit of a pain. There�s
a reason your starter Pokemon�s level 5 (well, six-and-change after your rival picks
a fight with you), and it�s so you can at least manage the first route without having
to run back home after every other fight to heal. Here? No such luck. You�re L1 against
other L1s, and if you manage to win (and level up), there�s no guarantee you�re going
to survive the next fight. Pokemonification can be a good thing... can be... if you do
it right. Unfortunately, Harobots seems to still have a lesson or two to learn. As always,
thanks go to Felicity in Worcestershire for her contribution to Strange Anime License
Friday.