With a Nintendo product, a huge requirement for it to be actually worth buying is a Pokémon game. At least, that's how I see it. Maybe that's why the Wii U failed as a console and not the 29 other reasons. Had Pokémon Ultra Sun and Moon been released on the Wii U instead of the 3DS again and maybe we'd still have better memories of the said tablet-tainted console
It was either Pokémon Sword or Shield. I bought Pokémon Shield because my friend convinced me in the stupidest way possible. We were at a GameStop when an attractive blonde woman was buying a new Switch and a Pokémon game. My friend was looking for games and we were in line so I might as well.
Gamestop Employee: What can I get you?
Ralph: Pokémon Shield please! Pretty lady buy Shield! Me want Shield!
That's exactly how it happened.
So far, the game has been easier than expected. There's a system that shares experience points with all the Pokémon in your team, which made the game easier. At some point, I felt like my Pokémon were too strong, around 8 levels higher than most of my opponents'. Basically, every time I got challenged by someone, I'd just be fighting for easy money with my team basically saying, "oh you don't know what you're in for, kiddo."
So far, the game has been easier than expected. There's a system that shares experience points with all the Pokémon in your team, which made the game easier. At some point, I felt like my Pokémon were too strong, around 8 levels higher than most of my opponents'. Basically, every time I got challenged by someone, I'd just be fighting for easy money with my team basically saying, "oh you don't know what you're in for, kiddo."
With the way I played the game, I had a case of 20 Pokémon as backups just in case I need a certain one at a certain level. It added more grinding in my case because I need to have backups. Say my main water-type monster was knocked out, I'd have another just in case so I still have a balanced team. The problem was making them be at the same level as the rest of the team. If my team were in the mid-40s, the backups would have to be trained to the same range so as not to easily get crushed.
The mindset I have is that I should always have reserves as well as a backup team to use. A B-team, to say. In a similar manner, it's like how WWE has NXT as a developmental brand. My backup Pokémon would "level up" and get experience to get ready for the main roster (my team). I even named the storage box "NXT" just because.
It took me 3 years to finish Pokémon Shield because I was bouncing in and out of it. There were times when I really didn't feel like playing the game. Then the pandemic happened which meant I along with millions of other people got invested in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Being in debt with Tom Nook wasn't as bad as people made it out to be but that's another story.
With something as long as a Pokémon game, you'd wanna keep grinding at it. There were times I'd just spend a week playing it but for like 4 hours at most, each day which meant progress was slower than usual. I think it took a total of 70 hours or so in finishing the game? I remember being tired and just wanting to finish the game around the last gym. The only battle I had a tough time on and actually had was the final battle. I remember not feeling that sense of panic since playing Pokemon Crystal on the Gameboy Advance back in 2003 so it was a good feeling.
Speaking of Pokémon Crystal, that was the last game I've had a shiny Pokémon. Sure, shiny Pokémon don't really have anything beneficial aside from the aesthetics but at the same time though, the aesthetics! In nearly 20 years, the next shiny I got was Falinks who looks like a turd. I was disappointed at first.
I grew to love him. He may look like a turd but he's my turd. I trained him as a backup because my Machoke needs a backup so Falinks is a good part of the team. Eventually he was part of my team when I beat the game, just so I can show him off. I remember not picking him for my team and felt like he was saying "Why won't you look at me, Papa? I only wanted to impress you!" Yes, Falinks, my son, I'm proud of you. You did well.
Did I enjoy it? Of course, I did. I would always have a soft spot for Pokemon games. A new version is coming out this November and I'm tempted to just pre-order it, just because. These have been a big part of my childhood and I'll never stop being a fan.
