Mastodawn

Ishambard Jul 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

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Christiaan Kras Jul 21, 2025

@ishambard Man I remember how cool it was when playing Gold/Silver that you eventually was able to go to the original region AND fight all the gym leaders there as well.

Pokémon peaked for me with those games. I don't recall playing any of the GBA or DS games. Got back into it with the 3DS. X/Y was very cool and I liked ORAS as well. But Sun/Moon I found horrible. After finishing the elite four (or was it called different?) I stopped playing that. Couldn't finish Sword. Didn't try the next ones

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Ishambard Jul 21, 2025

@Htbaa

I haven't reached the end game in a Pokemon game since X/Y.

Most of it is lack of motivation and being easily distracted by new games.

Perhaps now that I am more focused on finishing things, I will be more inclined to do so.

Pokemon has always been an odd one for me. I have always viewed it as 2 steps forward, one step back since Gold/Silver.

Events based on time and weekdays, and even the functioning day/night system, were broadly scrapped for Ruby and Sapphire.
The day night system was brought back going into Diamond and Pearl.

The focus on gimmicks per generation is also an issue.
Mega evolutions? Cool, have we done those properly since X/Y? Z moves? Hey. How about Gigantamaxing? No, we're into something new now.

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Christiaan Kras

@ishambard For me the whole switch from rivals to "hey, let's all be friends here" rubs me the wrong way lol. I mean, it's not a bad thing perse but it's kids TV quality bad. Don't like it at all.

But I guess it's an age thing as well. I think I was 10 years old or so when Pokémon Blue was released. Playing Sword as someone halfway his thirties, yeah, I think that makes a difference :-).

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Ishambard Jul 21, 2025

@Htbaa

I often have this conversation with people our age, who complain that Pokemon games are too easy these days or the story is rubbish.

The thing is, we're not the target demographic and haven't been for a long time.

I agree that having a "rival" is not necessarily a bad thing. I think it is a relatable childhood experience, even a friendly rivalry would work fine, where you would frame it as encouraging each other to get better.