Pokemon Phoenix Red 2.0 Review
Pokemon Phoenix Red by EnteringInfinity is a reimagining of Kanto set in a multiverse version of Kanto. In this game, you play as the child of Red, who was killed during the invasion of Kanto. Your rival is Blue’s child, who was also killed during the war. Version 2.0 was released over the weekend and I was glued to this game until I 100% it with postgame and dex completed.
Story
At first, the story in Phoenix Red feels similar to the original FRLG story, until it doesn’t. As you travel throughout Kanto, things begin to feel less and less familiar to the point where you begin to build new understandings and attachments to classic characters and meet new but familiar faces from across the Pokemon universe.
The characterization of many of the classic figures also differs as you progress. Your rival, for example, is not just interested in becoming champion for his own glory - he’s on a quest to right the wrongs of the past and heal intergenerational trauma.
The story wraps itself up in a way that I found incredibly satisfying and it really felt as though you emerge into a world of new hope by the end. It takes story beats I’ve been engaging with for 30 years and upends them in exciting ways that left me dying to know what was coming next.
Gameplay
The gameplay in Phoenix Red 2.0 allows for a journey through Kanto that feels starkly different from the original FRLG. One of the main aspects that highlights this difference is in Pokemon availability. This game features a curated Pokédex that brings together Pokemon you would usually find in FRLG with Pokemon across the generations, leading to a diverse but thoughtful experience. For example, you have access before Cerulean City to various starters (like Froakie), classic favourites (like Milotic) and pseudo-legendaries (like Gible).
This game is, for the most part, a hack that changes battles to double battles. This allowed for a fresh experience that forced me to think about team synergy, diversity and approach in ways that I’m not used to.
What really shines is the thoughtful changes made to level-up learnsets, type changes and evolution changes. Ever wanted to play with Water-Dragon Feraligatr? Or Fire-Fairy Ninetails? Well they’re here for you to discover along with changes to move pools that make sense and feel great. Even a lot of moves like Dragon Rush that I would never touch in vanilla have been updated to be useful.
The shiny rates are massively increased and the game developer meticulously updated all Shiny Sprites in ways that look fantastic. I would encourage you to check them out because I thought they looked really good!
Progression
I’ve played through Kanto 1000 times since I first picked up Pokemon Blue back in 1998, and while there have been games such as Radical Red or Aesthetic Red that upend the experience in various ways, it has always felt like the same old Kanto to me. This game was one of the first experiences I had which changed the way I interacted with the region. Nowhere is this highlighted better than the progression from Vermillion to Saffron (Badges 3-6). It is fluid, wholly different, and the changes make a ton of sense. Routes 12-15 are usually ignored completely as I take the Cycling Road directly to Fuchsia most of the time. In this game, I felt the need to explore every nook and cranny.
Another highlight for me was Victory Road which was not only streamlined but also updated to incorporate rematches with key opponents that made the game feel really tied together. It also included some surprise battles with classic favourites with some great new writing.
Content is available throughout the game that takes into account your Pokemon at all levels from 1-100 and provides challenges accordingly.
Postgame & Difficulty
In the original FRLG games, I usually play through the game until post-E4 and quit. In Phoenix Red 2.0, extensive changes have been made that keep you engaged with the Sevii Island quest chain as well as surprising new challenges that I felt compelled to see through to the end.
Once you complete the National Dex and the E4 rematches, you gain access to a new area of the game that was not only unexpected, but both challenging and full of surprises. It includes battles with classic characters including Cynthia and pushes you to the limit while maintaining fairness and excitement.
I generally enjoy difficulty hacks as an oldhead but for those of you who are wary of difficulty hacks, I wouldn’t classify Phoenix Red 2.0 as one. Instead, I would say that Phoenix Red 2.0’s difficulty here is progressive, fair and well-designed. The fights are manageable and you’re given all the tools you need to progress relatively consistently. There is no need to min-max anything to complete 100% of the game.
QOL
There are numerous changes to this game that bring a higher level of polish to the original FRLG game. Level caps exist but are not enforced (and they’re posted outside each gym). Nurse Hope is available throughout the Pokemon Centres with her army of Chanseys and Blisseys to help grind EXP. A move reminder and updated shops are available and EXP share is given to you really early.
Finally, what I loved the most was that HMs are not needed to progress through the main game at ALL. They’re only required in the post-game and even then, barely.
Final Thoughts
Phoenix Red 2.0 is a clear labour of love that provides a fresh and new experience through a region close to my heart. It’s thoughtfully designed and hard to put down for anyone who loves Pokemon. I highly recommend you give it a play through and enjoy what it has in store.
10/10
P.S. For those of you who want to engage with community, the Discord community and the developer are friendly, supportive and responsive. There is also extensive documentation that is available to help with Nuzlockes or any other questions you may have.