Let me preface this by saying: I’ve never played a Pokémon game in my life. The reason why though, may sound surprising. It isn’t a topic I’ve really ever spoken to others about but recently discovered to be the cause of my aversion to the Pokémon franchise.
Growing up, every kid fell into one of four camps when it came to collecting cards. There were the sports cards, the Magic cards, Pokémon, and Yu-Gi-Oh. I was a kid that went the route of Yugi and co, summoning Blue-Eyes White Dragon and Dark Magician in the darkly satisfying Yu-Gi-Oh game.
Pokémon always seemed like the happy-go-lucky version of the two, posing as a sort of juvenile copy of the game that I enjoyed. As I grew up though, I realized that it wasn’t the case and it was sort of like comparing Coke to Pepsi.
As I grew up and became more aware of the video game versions of both franchises, I noticed a pattern. Yu-Gi-Oh’s games were very much so a simulation of the actual game in a way that it was almost no different than playing with your friends. Place cards, collect cards, and summon monsters. Rinse and repeat.
Pokémon's titles on the other hand though were different. They went beyond the structure of their card game and made it more of an RPG. Traversing worlds, carrying out a story, fighting Pokémon in the wild, and creating a more turn-based form of combat that while being exactly the same as a card game, seemed wholly different to me.
This brought me to the realization that the real reason that I never tried getting into Pokémon as I got older was partially due to the fact that I felt that I was showing up decades late to a party that I turned the invitation away for. Yu-Gi-Oh’s games, even to this day, offer a welcoming and non-threatening entry point no matter your age.
Pokémon, though, comes with a bit of discouragement to it if you’re newer. There have been dozens of titles I’ve missed out on, lore with each one that is sure to weave throughout even in minute ways, possible connections to shows I never watched, and a lot of mechanics that aren’t very newbie-friendly. The worst offender is the confusing double releases.
Enter Pokémon Legends: Arceus; this incredibly fresh and daring direction that the franchise is going with brand new gameplay mechanics and elements that opens the doors to so many new gamers like myself who may have felt like there was no place for them.
There’s no double release, it’s set in a brand new era, and the gameplay is familiar to more of the games I usually play though will introduce me to aspects of the core games that release almost yearly. It’s the perfect way to ease someone into it without going full bore. All weight of feeling like I have to know everything is just lifted.
While OG fans may be scoffing at this game, wondering “why?”, I’m over the moon to have pre-ordered my very first Pokémon game in my life. And while some may also say “these games aren’t made for everyone” or “these are for that specific audience”, I applaud the fact that Pokémon is trying to cast its net to pull in even more players.
Opening the doors to everyone and allowing them to see what they’re missing is a great idea. No one is saying that the main-line games are going away but I think doing something like this every so often is so cool because it allows for the games to grow and for the fanbase to do the same.
A wise young man named Phil Spencer once said, “When everybody plays, we all win”.
What do you think? Do you agree with my point of view, even if the game wasn’t specifically made with you in mind? Are you a seasoned vet of the franchise but welcome this new entry? Are you a newb to the franchise like me? Have you felt the same way? Comment below and let us know!
