This game is different but also similar. In my opinion, the graphics are good, the newer gen pokes are good, the storyline is more interactive because they are in your face, also unlike the origional games, this mmo has interesting/creative quests such as berry tower, hm fly, arcanine quest, and I never saw abandoned pokes in the origionals so thats really creative. Of course the game has the same pokemon, same voices, same areas, same nurse joy, etc which is also cool. Also, no you dont need real money to buy anything..everything in this game can be bought with in game yen/cash. Only thing you might have trouble getting with in game yen is coins but other then that trade chat has a lot of ppl ready to sell you clothes and ms medallions. I hope you get to play more! It really is the best mmo out now.