Pokemon : Rocket Science

Introduction: "Pokémon: Rocket Science" is a fan-made ROM hack of Pokémon FireRed for the Game Boy Advance. The game is set in the Kanto region, but with a drastically altered narrative focused on the player joining Team Rocket. The visual style uses the standard FireRed engine with custom sprites and maps for new story locations.

Gameplay & Mechanics: The game begins with a choice of three starter Pokémon: Houndour, Poochyena, or Murkrow, all Dark-types fitting the villainous theme. The difficulty is notably higher than the base game, with tougher trainer battles and strategic team compositions, making it less forgiving for casual Nuzlocke runs. It retains the original FireRed mechanics, meaning it does not include the Physical/Special split, the Fairy type, or Mega Evolution. A day and night cycle is not present.

Key Features:

• Team Rocket Storyline: You play as a new recruit in Team Rocket, completing missions that involve stealing Pokémon and sabotaging other factions, which flips the traditional hero narrative.
• Expanded Kanto Map: New areas like the Rocket Hideout and Silph Co. are redesigned as central hubs, while some standard routes are altered or blocked to fit the new plot.
• Custom Boss Fights: Major battles are against characters like Lance and the Elite Four, who act as antagonists trying to stop Team Rocket's operations, rather than standard Gym Leaders.

The hack is complete but can have occasional scripting glitches in later missions.