Hello,
I've decided to start this thread to post my own thoughts on various topics, issues, and media. I was inspired by lr-hr-rh's thread, but given recent events, I want to make a serious effort to be more outgoing and transparent with many things, y'know? Today I was thinking of all sorts of topics.
Some might be more controversial than others, but I selected here as to not clog up other threads.
Why don't we start with…..
Pokemon Gen 2 - A Retrospective 15+ Years Later
Recently, Gold and Silver have been released (finally) for the 3DS eShop. Gone are the days where I had to blow in my cartidge, which is great, because the internal battery in my original cart has long since died, where data is wiped as soon as you turn the power off.
Pokemon debuted in 1996 in Japan and 1998 in North America, and it was very popular, so when it came time for the sequel, Gamefreak didn't hold back. I could go for hours talking about the QoL changes but let's mark the important ones:
-splitting the special stat
-breeding, introducing pre-evolutions and allowing the player to make more of a mon
-day and night
and so on. Currently I'm playing a Nuzlocke of Gold. and you might be wondering why, if I also own the remake, a game with much much more. Simple, Pokemon is fun. Although I've been burnt out with the series recent entries because collecting Pokemon is what I like to do, and in my Sun, I'm only missing four pokemon in all of existence, and two are coming to Ultra Sun.
Let's take a trip in time to where things were, well, simpler. Back then it was such a huge deal that you were a new trainer. A new land! New pokemon! But, would my favorites appear?
Yes. of 251 this gen, only 100 are new, meaning 60% of the pokedex is the familiar. Later gens would get some flak for having a disproportionate amount of the old in their dex, Alola in one instance, but since this was the direct sequel, I can't exactly fault Gamefreak. That being said, Johto is heavily linked to Kanto, like a pair of Siamese twins. You encounter all of their mons, but both regions share an E4. Really makes you think.
But this was three years since the first game, and you see the sprinkles of the pokeworld changing over time. Bill the programmer is visiting his parents, Prof. Oak runs a radio show, Team Rocket makes their return after lurking the shadows, Kanto's gyms have changed roster, and Red - yourself in the last game, has disappeared. I've always wondered why, did Red get bored after filling the pokedex? Beating every trainer in the region? He's just training(?) in Mt. Silver, waiting for the day someone like him will rise up to give him a true challenge. In a way, it's reflective - can you, the player, be as great of a pokemon master as you were a generation ago? There's more gyms and more pokemon, so hop to it!
That being said, the biggest hurdle Gen 2 faced is its level pacing. Gyms 1-3 run spaced out enough, there's Union Cave/Ruins of Alph and Ilex Forest/National Park to keep you busy before the next challenge, then things get waywire.
Ecruteak is a good fourth gym, but Olivine/Cianwood/Mahogany are very close to each other, that the levels don't have enough time to expand out a little bit. A team of ~30s can beat all three of these gyms, hell Pryce is easier than Jasmine despite coming after. This is because a lot of the level objectives overlap; you find the medicine for Amphy on Chuck's home terf, approximately 100 steps away from the coast of Olivine. I know, repels counted it for me.
The E4 is the weakest of all gens, starting at only ~40 and ending in the mid 50s at Lance. So a team of mid 40s can pull it off. Seems so small, when you compare it to the previous E4 of mid 50s to mid 60s. This is because of
getting the other 8 badges and solving other problems in the land of Kanto will get you in the 50s, close to 60s. Of course, the E4 do not increase in levels like in FireRed and beyond, so rebattling constantly is probably the best way to grind for Red.
People often cite Gen 2 as their favorite (well at least in the past) but we do say it's just because of Kanto nostalgia? Nowadays players hate to see G1 mons being the only thing pushed, but back then, it wasn't pandering, just a logical advancement of the world. Sequels don't have to allude to the original, but throwing it a little wink and nod is what solidifies the connection between the games, what makes a series feel like it's own.
While the meta has only advanced from this point, Gamefreak wanted to spread a different message:
-Karen
I've always adored this quote. Today it might seem like the scrublord motto, considering you need to craft a team around IVs, natures, abilities, and they might not be your personal favorites. I like Pikachu, but do you see me winning VGC with one?
But as a kid, it makes you smile and look to your partners, your team, and think "yeah, i can totally kick lance's butt with them". Even today I use pokemon I personally love, not the OU bunch. I'm not really a competitive battler, so maybe it's just nonsense to you the reader, but there's something forever whimisical….magical....and peaceful with Karen's words.
This motto is the antithesis of Silver, your rival this gen.
He's a harsh trainer that seems like a total edgelord, mocking you, pushing you, saying only strong pokemon matter. His past gets a little more explored in the remake, but you get to see his development as the game progresses….losing to Lance makes him rethink his approach, and by Mt. Moon, he's mellowed out. He even has a Crobat, and that is the proof in the pudding, because you need to make a Golbat happy to get it.
Gary was an ass too, but more in the competitive rival sense you just hated losing to since he was a sore winner. Silver is more of a stranger, more bitter…more of a representation of what the ideal trainer shouldn't be.
Again, it might be wishy washy sentimental nonsense today, but I'm certain it inspired other people playing the game. Gen 2 builds on what Gen 1 established, and when the glitchy, psychic-rules-all is the source, every improvement can be seen. There's more balance, two new types, bigger move pools, and it is when Pokemon really settled into its own, for gens to come.
….
.a moment of silence for the fallen Lockjaw the Croconaw
Sakura the Skiploom
Camilla the Togepi
Mooba the Bellsprout
Geri the Ratata
Saitama II the Eevee
Caesar C(lown) the Koffing