Eleven years ago, Pokémon Ruby and Sapphire were released and played millions of fans, new and old, the first Pokémon game in color. Those games offered new story lines, new characters, new villains, new Pokémon, a whole new region to explore. And now, we are going back.

(Beware spoilers from here on out. You have been warned.)

The plot of Omega Ruby revolves around the main character, you as a Pokémon Trainer who’s only just moved to the Hoenn Region, traveling around the region, working towards the goal of battling (and beating) the Hoenn Champion, steel-type master and rock collecting enthusiast Steven Stone, while going on a journey to experience a new world and making friends. You pick your starter and you’re off on your adventure. The plot also revolves around the actions of the antagonist team, Team Magma, whose goal is to awaken Groudon and use the legendary Pokémon in its Primal Reversion form to create more land for Humans and Pokémon to thrive on. It is your job to take down Team Magma and save the region while meeting new people and seeing new places.

The graphics in the game have received a major facelift when compared with the original Ruby and a few minor improvements when compared to last year’s games, Pokémon X and Y. The cities have gained additional buildings, adding to their size, and larger populations. The routes have received new looks for the tall grass and the trees. The small cliffs you can’t climb up are now just a tad bit taller. Battles make use of the 3D features the most, with it being a constant. Battle moves have also gained new and improved looks too, which also improves their looks in Contests. The regular Contests have been replaced with Contest Spectaculars, which make use of both the new move graphics, as well as the fact the screen is split more. The top screen is cleaner, allow the Pokémon to show off better, and the bottom screen holds the listing of moves and opponent Pokémon. The 3DS’s camera is also activated during contests in the Talent Round, allowing you to take pictures of your Pokémon with any background, including yourself. Omega Ruby makes good use of the updated graphics and makes better use of the screen space and the 3DS.

Now, we discuss the ever aiding PokéNav, a device developed for trainers like you by Devon Corp. The PokéNav has three main sections: Detector Mode, PlayNav, and BuzzNav. Detector Mode keeps track of the Pokémon captured on each route and helps your locate hidden Pokémon as well as specific Pokémon found on that route. Detector Mode also tells you the name and typing of any Pokémon you come across in the overworld outside of battle. Though you only get the Pokédex entry if you yourself have captured that Pokémon, a helpful feature none the less. PlayNav brings over the features from Pokémon X and Y: PSS (Player Search System) allows you to trade and battle online, Pokémon-Amie lets you play with your Pokémon and raise their affection, and Super Training is where you raise base stats. Lastly, BuzzNav keeps you up to date on the last news, whether it is on you, the happenings in the region, or some random fellow trainer playing their copy of Omega Ruby or Alpha Sapphire.

Let me tell you about secrets, Super-Secret Bases to be exact. The Secret Bases are back as Super-Secret Bases. If you were like me, you loved playing steal the flag with your pals and decorating your bases to the point it was nearly uninhabitable, even for your pint-size avatar. These Super-Secret Bases can be made anywhere in the region so your can make your base on the route you hang out on the most. A feature I’m a fan of, is the fact you no longer have to be in range of your fellow player to get into their base or find one. Omega Ruby makes use of the 3DS’s camera and will scan QR codes you put in front of it, whether it be a friend’s 3DS screen with their personal QR code pulled up or a picture of a player QR code on your phone. You can also make your personal base into your own Pokémon Gym. Set up a team and level restrictions and start taking challengers. Your secret base is your own personal headquarters.

With the features out of the way, let’s talk Pokémon. The only real con to this game is the limited number of Pokémon you commonly run into. The Pokémon are mostly to almost all native to the region, with few from the newer three regions: Sinnoh, Unova, and Kalos. While the Pokémon are limited, these Pokémon have kept their update move pools and abilities. Mega Evolution has also returned with new additions, such as Mega Pidgeot and Mega Beedrill. The move Dive has come back as an overworld move once again, allowing you to go underwater. Secret Power aides in the location of Super-Secret Bases. Though Pokémon in the game are only Hoenn natives, you can easily trade in Pokémon from other games via Pokémon Bank 3DS app, GTS (Global Trading System), or the old fashion way with two separate 3DS’s and games.

The game makes good use of the locations and Team Magma. While early in the game your encounters with Team Magma are few and minor, this picks up eventually. Though, the minor interactions at the start allow for the plot to develop in both Team Magma’s subplot and the character’s main plot of gathering gym badges. Usually, the after story plots are minor and have little to do with the actual game or just completing other aspects of the game, like features. Not this time. After your completion of the main plot by becoming the champion and defeating Team Magma, a new story line called the Delta Episode begins. A meteorite is on a collision course with Earth, and more specifically the Hoenn region, and it’s up to you to stop it with the help of Zinnia, an adventurer, as well as (former) Champion Steven and Gym Leader/Contest Master Wallace. This story will help explain Mega Evolution and 3000 years of history in the region.

Omega Ruby is a welcomed addition to the Pokémon game series and a well done remake of an old favorite. The game holds true to the original while almost feeling like a new game. Omega Ruby ties in the best from the Ruby as well as the latest games, X and Y. The plot and world is immersive. Pokémon Omega Ruby is just pure fun and addicting. The characters are positive and even the worst jokes are funny. The game has a certain sense of humor and inspiration you can’t help but love. It’s a game centered on adventure and doing it your way while just having good time.