I know we just had one not too long ago, but fuck it, these are the best gosh darn Pokemon games since Platinum. I think the thing I like most about these games is that they brought exploration and player freedom back to the series, which are two things that went missing with BW. There are so many optional routes to explore and the routes themselves are packed with hidden areas. Better yet, unlike in XY and SM, your "friends" aren't dickriding you constantly but rather show up every so often to keep you on your toes. They're also a lot less linear than the others. For example, when you reach Mauville, the game doesn't force you to take on Wattson right away. You can travel west to Verdanturf, east to the shore of Route 118, north to the Winstrate's, or south on Cycling Road. If this was SM, there would be some jackass on a Stoutland blocking your path until you clear Wattson's gym.
The music is great, and not just the remastered songs. Arguably the best trainer theme in the series wasn't even in the original games.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GIn8_Q27WFYAlthough they dissapointed me with the lack of Emerald features, when I put my biases aside and take ORAS for what they are, they're right up there as a contender for GOTY 2014, which was a year with other beloved games like Smash 4, Shantae and the Pirate's Curse, and Shovel Knight
Oh yeah and best girl May is back.
