Pokémon: Team Rocket Edition

Game Details:

This is a highly detailed Team Rocket perspective ROM Hack based on Pokémon Emerald, where players start as a grunt in Team Rocket and advance by completing missions assigned by superiors. The content covers multiple regions, including Kanto, the Sevii Islands, Johto, and the yet-to-be-translated Hoenn region content (originally in Spanish). The game features a complete four-region structure, as well as rich story missions, hidden events, and plot clues. The mechanics incorporate the fourth-generation physical/special split system, infinite TMs, automatic use of HMs within the bag, Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and new Pokémon (including experimental specimens, Primal forms, Mega forms, etc.). The game's total playtime is approximately 90-110 hours, including the main story, side quests, DLC, etc.; players can also experience the Team Rocket promotion system, character image changes, exclusive music, and map adjustments, among other rich elements. The English version already includes the content up to the Johto region, with Hoenn content still under development.

Editor's Recommendation:

This game creatively allows players to play the villainous Team Rocket characters, experiencing the Pokémon world from the "inside," subverting the traditional heroic perspective. This perspective is novel, the plot is darker, the strategy is strong, and the world view is richly expanded, bringing a kind of "alternative retro" charm. The fusion of modern mechanics (such as Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, and the physical/special split) both maintains the series' nostalgic feel while also increasing strategic depth. The multi-region unfolding, diverse side quests, and promotion system further enhance the game's rhythm and sense of growth. If you like fan works with a focus on story, character depth, and a fresh perspective, it's definitely worth a try.

Game Guide:

As a grunt in Team Rocket, your goal is to advance to a senior Admin or higher by completing missions. It is recommended that you focus on familiarizing yourself with the "stealing Pokémon" mechanic: after winning a battle, choose to steal the enemy's Pokémon, which can reduce resource consumption and strengthen your lineup, but may also affect plot branches or lead to moral bias. (One player pointed out: "The biggest attraction is that you can steal the trainer's Pokémon.")

In the Kanto stage, be sure to take on side quests, which not only enrich the plot but also allow you to obtain rare items and experimental Pokémon. The completion of side quests may affect your promotion speed and character image, and also make the promotion system in the game more layered.

For advanced mechanics, it is recommended that you first understand EMS (i.e., physical and special split), the infinite TM system, and automatic HMs use and other QoL features, which greatly improve the efficiency of leveling and combat flexibility.

After entering the Johto and Hoenn plot, the content becomes richer: Mega Evolution, Z-Moves, a variety of new Pokémon and experimental variants appear, it is recommended to build a diverse team of attributes and reasonably use the new mechanics for combat. The overall length of the game is 90-110 hours, with a lot of mission and map details, it is recommended to explore appropriately and advance through a reasonable quest chain to avoid getting lost or plot stagnation.

According to player feedback: "This game really makes you feel like a Team Rocket grunt, and the plot is also very exciting."

Another player said that the plot was unexpected and full of black humor, which was very memorable.

In short, improving promotion level, side quests, mechanism optimization and team matching are the keys to clearing the game. It is recommended to make good use of the stealing mechanism, participate in more side quests, and flexibly use the modern battle system, the path to clearing the game will be more efficient and immersive.