With X and Y, Pokémon finally left sprites behind for 3D, launched worldwide on the same day and made itself at home in France. The gamble was huge, and it largely paid off, even if the adventure has its weaknesses. Our verdict, with more than ten years of hindsight.

Released on October 12, 2013 on Nintendo 3DS, simultaneously around the world for the first time in the series, X and Y opened the sixth generation. A year later they were followed by Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire, the remakes of the third generation, which reuse their engine and Mega Evolution.

👍The strengths

  • The move to 3D: animated Pokémon models, staged battles, a camera that follows the attacks. The visual leap is still spectacular.
  • Kalos, a region full of charm: Lumiose City and its Prism Tower, Parfum Palace, the standing stones of Geosenge Town, the Mont-Saint-Michel of Shalour City. For a French player, recognizing the country is a constant pleasure.
  • Mega Evolution: a breath of fresh air for older Pokémon, from Mega Charizard to Mega Mawile, and a real highlight when you receive the Mega Ring.
  • The Fairy type, which finally rebalances Dragons.
  • Generous systems: Trainer customization, Pokémon-Amie, Super Training to train EVs effortlessly, the Destiny Knot for breeding. X and Y made competitive play accessible to everyone.
  • Record variety: more than 450 Pokémon in the regional Pokédex, Horde Encounters, Sky Battles and Inverse Battles.

👎The weaknesses

  • An adventure that is too easy: with the Exp. Share turned on, two starter Pokémon and Lucario given to you early, you often breeze through battles. You have to set your own rules to find a challenge again.
  • A rushed story: Team Flare and Lysandre had potential, but everything happens very quickly, and your four friends remain fairly transparent.
  • An uneven post-game: the Looker Bureau is touching, but there is no real area to explore after the League, and the Z version never came.
  • Few new Pokémon: only 72, the smallest number of any generation.
  • Online features that are now closed: the PSS, the GTS and Wonder Trade were the highlight of the game in 2013.

⭐Our verdict

Ready to go? Start with the complete walkthrough, or pick your version with our comparison X or Y?.