Pokemon Elysium ROM

Pokemon Elysium is a GBA ROM Hack by BlKaiser based on Pokemon Fire Red. It was last updated on January 27, 2024.

Also, be sure to check out Pokemon Zandite.

Description

It is a story/lore-focused Fire Red hack for casual players, developed years ago (although the content was added until very recently) that I decided to release it despite originally not planning to. It is a lengthy one, especially if you explore everything and follow the various side quests, and it is divided into two parts, A and B.

To play it, you’ll need to patch two files and use save states to continue your saved game from Part A to B (instructions can be found in the readme file that accompanies the download). Story-wise, the game consists of a prologue, four chapters, and a small epilogue. Regarding its difficulty, it’s harder than the Pokémon games, but most players will not find any difficulty in finishing it.

Synopsis

This game follows the journey of a 16-year-old girl hailing from the serene island of Crysta. Her aspiration is to attain the title of Pokémon Champion, vying for one of the coveted eight positions in the finals held on the enigmatic island of Elysium. Little does she know, an ancient malevolent force, orchestrating a scheme that has been in motion for over a century, threatens not just her and her companions but the entire world itself.

Playing Part B

When prompted by the game, you will need to use your most recent save file (saving state) to continue the story in Part B. Depending on your emulator, you may need to rename or relocate a file to a different folder.

In terms of the storyline, you must transition to the new ROM after boarding the ship known as S.S. CHALLENGER. This should occur after you have obtained all 8 badges and participated in the initial rounds of the championship at Battle Colosseum.

Features

• A mix of Pokemon, moves, and types up until Pokémon X and Y. Gen I, II, and III mostly but there’s a good number of Pokémon from the next generations like Hippopotas, Garchomp, or Galvantula (Check the online Excel file for the full list of obtainable Pokémon)
• Fairy Type-Pokémon & Moves (replacing old ones)
• Physical-Special Split
• A very few story-only related fakemon and fake moves
• Several Regions to explore.
• Side quests that reward you with rare Pokémon, moves, or special items.
• This game comprises two parts, namely the Main Game (A) and the Finale (B).

The Main Game unfolds primarily in the Rhea region, which serves as the central focus of the game, along with a smaller region named Savahnn. This section of the story encompasses Chapter 1, Chapter 2, and Chapter 3. The prologue, on the other hand, transpires on the idyllic island of Crysta.

The climax of the game predominantly occurs in several key locations, including the enigmatic island of Elysium, aboard a cruise ship, and a series of islands referred to as the Therian Islands. This segment is central to Chapter 4 of the narrative.

What to do

• Use save states to preserve your progress instead of relying on the game’s built-in save function. This method allows you to transfer your progress to Part B seamlessly. (In Visual Boy Advance, you can achieve this by pressing SHIFT+F1 to save an instance as a .sgm file)
• For an added challenge, consider switching the Battle Style to “SET.”

What NOT to do

• Don’t get hung up on completing the Pokédex. You can’t catch all the Pokémon, the focus of this ROM Hack is the story.
• Do not release Pokémon that were given to you for obvious story reasons, as this may lead to the game being soft-locked. Only release Pokémon that you have personally caught using a Poké Ball.

Known Issues/Bugs

1. A minor graphical glitch may appear in the menu, but it does not impact gameplay.
2. Be cautious when inspecting the ‘Agent Card’ item, which is obtainable through a side mission, as it has the potential to crash the game. Note that this item is available for purchase only.
3. There’s a risk of encountering a softlock at a specific juncture in the game if you release a Lapras before obtaining the HM Surf.
4. In extremely rare instances, the player sprite might experience unexpected distortion. This can be swiftly resolved by entering or exiting a building or cave or by using the FLY ability. Efforts have been made to address this issue, but there remains a slight chance of encountering it.

Please be mindful that there may be occasional spelling or language errors within the game, as English is not the creator’s native language.

Changelog

V2.0.0

• New Pokémon have been added (refer to the Excel sheet in the download link).
• All Mega Evolutions of the game’s Pokémon are now available.
• Added some alternate forms of Pokémon. (Hisuian & Alolan)
• Several previously existing Pokémon, such as Charmander, Squirtle, Abra, Aerodactyl, etc., are now available to the player.
• Difficulty/grinding balancing adjustments. Items like Exp. Share and Lucky Egg are accessible way earlier in the game. Rare Candies can be found more frequently.
• A couple of side quests and new areas to explore have been added.
• Move Tutors and in-game trades have been enhanced.
• New overworld sprites and improvements to tilesets.
• New intro.
• A few spelling and grammar errors have been corrected (I’m doing my best with that one, trust me).
• That Menu graphic glitch was finally fixed (a big thanks to the creator of HexManiacAdvance for this fantastic tool!).

V1.2.0

• Added Froslass, Probopass (removed Delibird and Sableye)
• Added moves: Dragon Pulse, Bug Buzz, Zen Headbutt, Ice/Thunder/Fire Fang
• Updated Pokemon attacks with the above moves.
• Improved animations for several moves (Flash Cannon, Dazzling Gleam etc)
• Fixed a messing sprite glitch on several occasions
• Fixed messed dialogue on several occasions

V1.1.0

• Various Map/Dialogue/Scripting corrections and fixed bugs.
• Added intro to the game.
• Added Hall of Fame after the “THE END” screen.
• Fixed an issue with DELPHOX messing stats when evolving from Braixen.
• Added Pokemon: Glaceon, Yanmega, Rhyperion, Honchcrow, Weavile, Budew, Roserade, Magnezone, Mismagius
• Removed Pokemon: Sentret, Furret and Oddish, Gloom, Vileplume/Bellosom
• Heatran, Gardevoir, and Mega Gardevoir are now obtainable/catchable.
• Added right cries on some later-generation Pokemon like Sylveon and Xerneas.
• Added Cut Content in the last battle
• Fixed battle backgrounds according to the current location of the player.
• Fixed an issue where pressing CHECK on the item AGENT CARD crashes the game.