This game is probably the worst of the third versions of Pokemon games. It doesn't add much content, although what it does add (both teams + Rayquaza) is a step up. However, it removes Steven as champion and opts to replace him with a grossly inferior trainer, and puts Steven in as a final boss a la Red in Johto. Personally, I think that change is a terrible one. Aside from those changes, this game is effectively Ruby/Sapphire, and still contains all their issues. The game is grossly imbalanced based almost exclusively on your starter, as is an apparent staple in the series. It lacks interesting fire types throughout, and has very few interesting water types. The lack of physical/special split is abhorrent in this generation specifically, as it introduced a multitude of fan-favorite Pokemon who cannot make use of STAB (and this isn't even taking movepools into account). The Elite Four grind is especially terrible in this game, as the third versions tend to upscale the "challenge" (meaning the levels of boss battles are higher and that's it). There are no trainers remotely near the level of the Elite Four, and Victory Road wild encounters are maxed at level 40, and all of them make grinding inconvenient and obnoxious. Ultimately, it's still a Pokemon game so you'll have fun at some point before remembering what a terrible grindfest and level-check it is (for me it was between gyms 4-7). Also, I caught a shiny Pelipper. 3/5.