There's a lot to like about ORAS, but there's also a lot to dislike, too.
What I enjoyed about ORAS was that it expanded on certain mechanics in a lot of ways. Secret Bases have went from being a small, niche "comfy" feature to being a fully expanded on mechanic. Flag capturing and Secret Pal bonuses give players more of an incentive to make a base, and the actual customization has improved a lot. Getting bases has also been easier, thanks to online.
Distribution and encounter rates have also been changed a little, to help improve the region. Overleveled Zigzagoons no longer appear after you beat Norman, and you're no longer bombarded with as many ocean-dwelling Pokemon.
Since it's a Gen VI game, it also has a lot of the refinements that have been a series standard since Gen IV onwards. Features like the physical special split, Mega Evolution, infinite TMs and triples/rotations have all been incorporated in one way or another, and all but the split are optional, so you can always play things as they were before. To add to this, you've got the PSS, one of the best online implementations in the entire series, so you can easily connect with others.
The characterization was improved on a lot. Brendan now feels like an actual character, starting off as someone who tries to teach you the how-tos, and grows to respect and care about the player. Team Aqua, while still having a stupid motive, all had a bond between each other and had more chemistry than they ever did before.
(1/3)
