So, here we are just days from release of the next generation in the Pokemon franchise: Pokemon X and Y.
Me? I am stuck at a strong crossroads. Well, not so much anymore, but I was. So I feel like talking about what kind of crossroad I was once stuck at. You see, I am a Pokemon fan. Very much, through and through. I look forward to every new generation, and this one was no different.
At least, at first.
When the Legendary Pokemon for X and Y were revealed, I was quite impressed. They showed a level of imagination a step up from Black and White, which in and of itself was leaps and bounds above Diamond and Pearl. This could only be a good thing. But as more and more designs were revealed, my enthusiasm dwindled. The starter Pokemon weren't anything of note. And save one or two designs, they just seemed to steadily go downhill from there.
But I wasn't too worried. Game Freak had only revealed some 15 Pokemon, and didn't seem keen on revealing anymore, so I assumed I'd see some cooler designs in game.
It is at this point that I feel I should touch on the fact that Pokemon designs are very important to me.
You see, the gameplay of a Pokemon game rarely if ever disappoints me. It is a tried and true method that I haven't found fault with yet, and so much of my anticipation and enjoyment of a Pokemon game does not come from that. It's nice, but adds up to about 20% of my overall love for the game, if that. No, my true passion for Pokemon stems from the Pokemon themselves. I love seeing new Pokemon to catch and raise and journey with. I mean, if it was the same Pokemon every time, the tried and true gameplay would require strong changes. There would have to be a much stronger story. But with the core of my love coming from the new blood, I never have to worry about that.
I catch the new guys, I fight the gyms, I beat the evil team, save the world, fight the elite four, become champion, go home happy.
All is well.
Carrying on from where I left off earlier.
Not long after making the decision to wait out the game for other designs, Mega Pokemon were announced. This blew my mind. New designs for older pokemon?! At first, I assumed these would be branch evolution chains. Lo and behold they were not. No, they were temporary forms granted by Mega Stones. Okay. Taking the Digimon route. Not my favorite idea, but I can live with it. Besides. MegaAmpharos was now an Electric/Dragon type with luxurious hair. Fine by me.
Not too long after this though, things began to go south.
More and more designs continued to be leaked. More New Pokemon, and more Mega forms.
And they sucked.
Like...
EXTRA hard.
They made a fucking key ring Pokemon.
A key ring...
Ugh. I'm getting off track. Anywho, the rather dismal designs began to crush my hopes for the games. Damnit, if my enjoyment of the game comes from the new damn critters, and the new critters suck hot eggs, what the hell do I want to play the game for? Surely not the story?!
Argh...
Not long after I had reached a point of disgust with the game (something that occurred after they made the decision to make one of my favorite Pokemon, Gyarados, Mega Evolve into a giant ass shrimp...), I came across an interview.
And to be honest, it changed my whole view of the game.
I find myself now thoroughly looking forward to the game. I have to know just what they're going to do with the world itself. It seems they've stayed true to the main formula, but have made enough changes to garner interest. Without needing a million new cool critters. And if I really think about it, there are already 600+ of the little dudes, so I kind of don't need more. But there's still a huge part of me that can't stand the idea of dealing with such craptastic designs.
Or at least, there was that part of me.
As I stand now, I've gotten over that. There are a couple of new dudes I can get behind, and, mixed with some of my old favorites, I'm sure I'll enjoy my journey through Kalos just fine. And with any luck, the game will surprise me, and be one of the better outings in the series.
Here's hoping.
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