Pokémon Ice Blue (GBA) – A High Difficulty Winter-Themed FireRed Hack with Fakemon, Open-World Elements, and Articuno Storyline
Game Information
Table Of Contents
About This ROM Hack
Pokémon Ice Blue is a hack of Pokémon FireRed designed around a unique story where the legendary Pokémon Articuno has frozen the world, and it is up to the player to find and capture the legendary Phoenix to save the world. The game features high difficulty, an open-world exploration style, and a variety of new features including Fakemon like Gorochu and Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtles. The hack also boasts new maps, non-vanilla tiles, and a reworked story.
The hack was created as a personal gift for the developer’s daughter, and the latest version (2.0) includes improvements such as enabled Pokémon catching, new Fakemon, re-types, and an overall enhanced experience.
Story Overview
The story of Pokémon Ice Blue is set in a world where Articuno has frozen the planet, plunging the world into an eternal winter. To save the world from this icy fate, you must find the legendary Phoenix, who is said to have the power to thaw the world and restore balance. Along the way, you will encounter new and mysterious Pokémon, including Gorochu and Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtles, and face challenges that push your skills to the limit.
In a more open-world setting, you are tasked with solving puzzles and defeating powerful foes, including Articuno, the source of the world's freeze. The story is completed once you face Articuno and defeat it, restoring hope for the future.
Key Features
- New Storyline: A unique plot centered around Articuno freezing the world, with a mission to find the legendary Phoenix.
- Fakemon: Including Gorochu, a classic fan-favorite Pokémon, and Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtles.
- Re-Types: Some Pokémon have undergone type changes to make them fit better with the new storyline.
- New Tiles and Maps: Non-vanilla tiles for an updated visual experience and some re-used maps from FireRed.
- High Difficulty: A higher challenge level than the base game, including a more difficult open-world exploration style.
- Mini-Game: The mini-game included is designed to be quick, taking only a few hours to complete.
- New Pokémon Locations: Locations like the DOJO where wild Pokémon appear on the mats and JOG Cave for capturing Gorochu.
- Open World Elements: Explore freely, solving puzzles like the Dead End invisible wall puzzle, and navigating areas to progress.
- Phoenix Quest: A central quest to locate and catch the Phoenix to save the world from Articuno’s freezing powers.
Known Bugs & Issues
- Minor Lag in Credits: A minor lag when the credits start, which is not game-breaking.
- Save Issues in VBA Emulator: A save issue may arise while using the VBA emulator. It is recommended to use mGBA.
- Graphical Animation Issues: Door and warp animations might appear slightly off or glitchy.
- No Further Updates: With the completion of version 2.0, the game will not be worked on further, barring any unknown major bugs.
Screenshots
Download Links
v2.0: MediafireDeveloper Information
Developer / Team: Dylan
Credits:
- Joexv: Start screen design and original beta version.
- JPAN: Hacked engine.
- M.C.s: Winter ROM base (used for tileset and mapping).
- Spritemaster2010: Baby Ho-oh front sprite.
- MikeP: Help with cover/box art.
- Cayan: Inspiration for the project.
- Lunos: Help fixing errors.
- Haven: Help with tools and fixing errors.
- Edok: Fakemon spriting.
- Kyle: Beta testing and support.
Source & References
Official Thread / Website: https://www.pokecommunity.com/showthread.php?t=444399
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What kind of game is Pokémon Ice Blue?
A: It is a high-difficulty, winter-themed Pokémon FireRed ROM hack with a custom story involving Articuno and a legendary Phoenix.
Q: Who is this hack for?
A: Players who enjoy challenging ROM hacks, altered progression, Fakemon content, and custom story-driven FireRed experiences.
Q: Is this a casual or easy Pokémon game?
A: No, it is designed with high difficulty in mind and can be significantly harder than standard Pokémon games.
Q: Does the game include Fakemon?
A: Yes, it includes Fakemon such as Gorochu and Teenage Mutant Ninja Squirtles.
Q: Is the game linear or open world?
A: It is described as “open world-ish,” meaning progression is more flexible than standard FireRed but still structured.
Q: Are there any known bugs?
A: Minor issues exist such as emulator saving quirks and visual animation glitches, but nothing game-breaking.
Q: How long is the game?
A: It is a mini-game scale ROM hack, designed to be completed in a few hours depending on playstyle.
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