Pokemon Snakewood

Introduction: Pokémon Snakewood is a ROM hack of Pokémon Ruby for the Game Boy Advance, created by Cutlerine. It is set in the Hoenn region, but the story takes place after a zombie apocalypse triggered by a meteor. The visual style uses the standard Generation III engine, but with heavily edited maps, new sprites for characters and enemies, and a pervasive horror theme.

Gameplay & Mechanics: The game offers unconventional starter choices: Seedot, Lotad, or Sableye. Its difficulty is notably high, featuring tough trainer battles and complex dungeons, making it less suitable for a casual Nuzlocke run. It does not include the Physical/Special split, Fairy type, or Mega Evolution. Key mechanical changes are narrative-driven, such as battling zombie-like Infected Pokémon and using the Dig move as a core exploration tool in new areas.

Key Features:

• A completely original horror-themed storyline with new characters, including rivals like Lenore and factions such as the Cult of Giratina.
• The introduction of Fossil Pokémon from later generations as obtainable creatures and the inclusion of some Generation IV evolutions like Tangrowth and Yanmega.
• Extensive new areas, including the Catacombs and Mt. Pyre's interior, which are required to progress and are filled with puzzles and tough enemies.

The hack is known for its challenging design, dark humor, and a significant number of bugs that can affect progression.