This is a Pokemon Rom Hack made by TheSmithPlays with the intended purpose of fixing Pokemon Crystal into a more polished, balanced and overall engaging Crystal experience. Generation 2 is one of the most beloved sets of games in the franchise. It introduced tons of mechanics to the game that ended up becoming mainstays within the franchise even now.
It also had fan favorite Pokemon, a diverse region, deep lore, nonlinearity, and an entire separate region as its postgame which allowed the player to rematch characters from Generation 1. This created an intoxicating and memorable experience that is still remembered by fans today. Unfortunately, it seems that for every good decision Gen 2 saw, there was a mistake made too, and this is why it sees a lot of criticism.
Most often, players critique Gen 2 for failing in its representation of its own region’s Pokemon, its inconsistent level curve and a lackluster postgame. Furthermore, terrible learnsets inhibit the vast majority of Pokemon and questionable design choices make diverse party building incredibly difficult. It’s also been criticized for having a poorly written villainous group storyline with no enjoyable payoff.
Ultimately, these and many other small features lead to this trio of games feeling incredibly underbaked, much to the dismay of its fans. Feeling as if it could be so much more, TSP (TheSmithPlays) set out to fix this game, and to turn it into the best possible version of itself, while still retaining the iconic Pokemon Crystal feel that fans have come to love.
Features
- Dynamic Gym Leader level scaling for ‘non linear’ part of Johto. The team’s and levels of Chuck, Pryce and Jasmine scale to whether you have 5, 6, or 7 badges.
- Gym Leader teams optimized. Leaders see more Gen 2 representation, while still retaining their original aces (e.g. Bugsy keeps his Scyther, but Metapod and Kakuna are replaced with Pineco and Ledian). Movepools see increasing diversity and complexity. Gym Leaders use held items.
- Improved level curve. Gym leaders and trainers no longer fall off in the late mid-game, only to spike in the Elite Fuur. The game now sees a more linear rise in leveling, with expanding trainer teams to provide more EXP. Players who don’t grind will still be under leveled to the champion, but this is intentional and typical for most Pokémon games.
- Pokémon availability increased. Kanto locked Gen 2 mons like Houndour added to Johto. Route encounters have been diversified. Gen 1 trade mons evolve by level up. Gen 2 trade items now simply work like evolution stones. Increased accessibility to evo items. Fossils + GS Ball added to Ruins of Alph. All legendaries are now catchable.
- Gameplay Balancing. Dark-type is now Physical while Ghost is Special. DRASTIC improvements to Pokémon movepools. Balancing to actual moves (notably large improvements to bug and fighting type). Weak single evo mons + other underperformers have seen some stat buffs (i.e Misdrievus is now closer stat wise to Mismagius, but not on par).
- Item Improvements. Flower shop now sells Berries. Cianwood pharmacy sells Stones & Ethers. Post radio tower Mahogany mart sells Upgrade and Metal Coat. Mahogany, Blackthorn, and Celadon now sell TMs. X Items cannot be purchased.
- Storyline enhancements. Slight adjustments to timing of Silver’s character arc. A man helps Lance uncover the Rocket Hideout. Team Rocket has seen Executives named as Archer and Ariana. ‘Hyuck-Hyuck’ Rocket now has a small character arc. The game now has an explanation for the missing Legendaries of Kanto.
- Quality of Life: Unique Pokémon Sprites, Running Shoes, Bigger Bag, Early EXP Share, Delete HMs whenever, TM pickup now says move name, PC added to Elm’s Lab and House after Tohjo Falls, Gameplay Icon that shows Weather, Bugs Fixed, Brick Piece (found in Goldenrod Warehouse) now evolves Hitmontop, Odd Egg always has good DVs, Happiness System makes Friendship Evos faster, Third Trainer Card show Kanto Badges, bugs fixed AND MORE.
- Rematch Johto Gym Leaders after becoming Johto Champion.
- Kanto is now it’s own separate league. Gym leader teams have competitively set teams of 6. Upon beating them, you must rematch the Elite Four for title of Kanto Champion before facing Red. Consider this section a ‘challenge’ post game.
- Fight the creator (Smith), production manager (Craig) and video editor (Weebra) in the Trainer House.
- The ability to challenge yourself with forced level caps and set mode in hard mode.
Changelog
v1.3.1
- Fixed a bug where daycare Pokemon would come out and fainted on hardcore
- Fixed a bug that lets you go below the bottom entry in the Pokedex colour option menu
- Wild Sentrets and Furrets can no longer permanently steal your items with thief.
v1.3
- Hardcore mode
- New E4 rematch teams
- Unique text for Johto gym leader rematches
- New unique battle tower rewards for each floor
- 6 items per floor, 4 decorations, and 2 regular items. You get 1 at random after beating the floor.
- Updated battle tower roster
- Various pokedex updates
- Lots of text fixes (Credit Luther7718 for suggestions)
- Kurt finishes Pokeballs instantly (GS ball does not finish instantly)
- Can no longer give the gs ball to Kurt before obtaining 7 badges, it previously locked you out of making Pokeballs until you reached 7 badges
- Fixed trade functionality to/from Gen 1 (including YL) for ghost types (All Pokemon should now trade properly)
- Route 30 Rattatas now have proper overworld sprites
- Fixed stat exp on end-game Kanto trainers
- Added stat exp to trainer house teams
- Added frustration and roar TMs to the 2nd mahogany mart so they are no longer missable
- Fixed odd egg initial move pp bug
- Fixed a bug with the Pokedex missing encounter locations between pages
- Fixed a bug that lets you go below the bottom entry in the Pokedex color option menu
- Fixed a bug where Hitmon evolution methods were the wrong way around in the Pokedex
- Updated the README files in the zip
- Updated game credits
- The title screen changed to 1.3
- Various learnset changes for parity between mons in the same evolution line
- Various minor TM learnset additions
- Various move parity changes with YL
- Various stat parity changes with YL
v1.2.2
- Fixed a bug where the game could crash while catching a pokemon during bug contests
- Fixed a bug with odd egg pokemon moves
- Fixed casino mon locations in pokedex
- Updated credits – Added held item percentages to pokedex
