That’s right, I’m seventeen. I’ve grown physically and mentally from the comparatively simple fifteen year old that made this site. How do I feel? Obviously the same as I’m merely in another step of an arbitrary system of numbers where certain numbers mean I can do things I couldn’t when I was tagged with the preceding number. However, without sounding like a smartarse this time, I feel as though I haven’t accepted my new age and when I do I will feel a bit bad for losing another chunk of my childhood and entering the stages of manhood (something which I fear).

On the positive side, today was great. I had friends over stealing my electricity and over forty Facebook posts acknowledging my mother’s pain seventeen years ago. I lost dignity for being the only one for finding my ‘maths tattoo’ funny but regained it by distributing chocolate to peers and people I bump into in an act of kindness crossbred with a Dairy Milk overdose. Over all, I’m content and will hold the motto ‘revision will start tomorrow’.

Good morrow.

So I got HeartGold like a week or so ago when I found out I could put more shit in my bag for the plane. Plane? Yeah, I went Ireland for four days; it wasn’t exactly abroad but was probably the best holiday I ever had (if you’re friends with a girl, they have friends that are girls, remember that).

Anyway, I haven’t even got my fourth badge yet because I was busy there and I’m busy here, but from what I’ve played I can’t complain. I suppose one criticism would be cynicism at the Pokémon Company for capitalising on a highly successful game by brushing it up and re-releasing it. However, the game was good, as with all of them, and for once I think I’m experienced enough to say my view (I’ve had Red, Gold, Silver, Ruby, FireRed, Emerald, Pearl, the two Pinballs and of course HeartGold). I suppose I enjoy the originals more but if you strip the sentimental significance then I’m not sure, but let’s see the details.

So the aesthetics are great for one, slightly better than Diamond/Pearl/Platinum. There is the inclusion of the God knows how many other Pokémon, quite annoying if you’re keen on the game and don’t believe in cheat cartridges (and obviously the compatibility with all Pokémon games from the past 7 years or so). There are changes here and there to the story, something which doesn’t really bother me, however, the fact that the music is all advanced does bother me (more this, and less this please). Also, people hype about your Pokémon following you like in Yellow, but I don’t really care about that.

What can I say? If 200 hours of your childhood was invested in G/S/C like moi then get it in your quest to re-experience your childhood, and recall the addictiveness that will yank your grades down.

Finally, if you want to see proper reviews, try my friend’s GameInfoDaily blog.