IshambardJul 21, 2025

I think part of the reason why #Pokemon Gen 2 has such a lasting legacy is because it created this sense of world that I can't think of being matched.

Pokemon has had a habit of name dropping other regions in games, NPCs in Kalos saying they are visiting from Hoenn, etc

It's one thing to get these cute little nods, but Gen 2 went a step further, which sure we could chalk up to nostalgia maxing fan service, being able to explore a mostly like for like recreation of the Kanto region.

But it also helps create this congruous world. You are not just exploring a region, you are exploring the world of Pokemon. Even if Johto is just one short surf route away from Kanto.

Besides the surf route, there is also the ship between Olivine and Vermillion and the Magnet Train between Goldenrod and Saffron. It's all world building that makes the two regions feel like a complete unit.

Was this a thinly veiled ramble to justify a Magnet Rail screenshot? I mean... Partially...

#PokemonSilver

Show threadMax Almonte
@ishambard I personally think Pokémon peaked here, and what you describe is one of the main reasons, for example if you go to Saffron City and enter the fighting dojo they will tell you their master went to Johto to train, then you can get back to Johto and find him in a cave that apparently had no purpose before! That's brilliant. Other caves serve not only as a passage from point A to point B but have secrets if you explore other floors and stuff, that's just good world building.
Jul 21, 2025 at 11:04amWeb