I’ve been replaying though the Pokémon games for the first time since they came out.
I just finished Gold and started Emerald last week. I was really looking forward to it as I always hear great things about emerald.
But I have not been enjoying it. I feel like I’m constantly under leveled and even when I have a higher level than other Pokémon, I feel weaker.
The map has been a bit annoying going in circles for the first half of the game. I am at the 5th gym now, and decided to drop it and move to gen 4.
I also have not been happy with the team I built. It seems that the move sets I have are not really that good. I’m at level 20-30 and I’m just getting my first good moves for some of my team.
Hoenn is my favorite region. Emerald is my nostalgia game. What you say is fair and valid. Early game movesets don’t feel good at all. If it’s within your means, I would suggest trying Omega Ruby / Alpha Sapphire. It feels much better to play through. If you never want to see Hoenn again, then no shame in that. :)
I’m on a slow run through all the games. SoulSilver definitely is hitting