Why do you like Pokemon?

[Ipsen]

I've always liked Pokemon because it's probably the best RPG out there designed around animal companions. It's still remains a unique approach to this day, compared to other RPG's (thanks Nintendo!), and still hides a rather complex competitive scene.

 

[Miss G.]

all I'm doing is palating the product they sell and using my right to judge it and criticize it.

Yes, you have a right to criticize, but why do you feel you need to bring this up after using basically the same argument you've had in at least one other pokemon thread. Also leave the Vanillite line alone, they're cute and alright stat wise, and unless you're under duress you don't have to use them.

No, not *similarities*, they look exactly the same, with some random cosmetic changes applied on top.

But that logic can also be applied to real-life animals they base their designs off of. And so what about reusing poses?
e.g A dog is a dog, but there's different kinds that basically have the same base shape but with differences (some subtle, some not) that are genetically applied to that same base for function/aesthetics, just like Pokemon are drawn. By your logic every dog at a dog show looks exactly the same because of these differences and just because they had to stand in the 'judging' stance. I've said all I've got to say on this matter.

 

[Palademon]

They're always pretty big so you get a lot of game play out of it with the world slowly opening.
And it's nice to imagine a dream team then make it.
That's kind of it for me.

 

[TelHybrid]

I've always loved the simplicity of the system, but how much more complex it can become as you master it.

Side note: What's with a lot of newer Pokémon designs following the logic that evolving = getting fatter?

 

[spartandude]

Well, that, and the legendaries. There are far too many damn legendaries now; the status is almost meaningless, and the designs have been weak ever since the legendary dogs.

I also think Legendaries became irrelevant when they released Arceus, the god pokemon who created the universe.... yh everything is irrelevant after that to be perfectly honest

 

[Phrozenflame500]

I don't.

I used to like them when I was younger, but as I played through the games I realized how same-y the core mechanics are. I can see why certain people would like them (collecting, being able to micro-manage your team to awesomeness), but RPGs generally don't work for me unless it has a damn good story or combat system.

I think I'm gonna find a walkthrough of the most recent one (I generally hate Let's Plays because I hate the commentary, especially for mainstay Nintendo games) to see if I can't enjoy that.

Yeah, uh, stay away from all commented Pokemon playthroughs. I mean, most YouTube commentaries are terrible, but Pokemon is really fucking bad in that respect for whatever reason.

 

[Scarim Coral]

It kind of the same reasons why I like rpg to its core, levelling up my character which in this case, Pokemon. Sure I can't give it weapons and armours like most rpg games but I just find it appealing that I can turn a puny looking creature into a powerful monster give it a few times.
Also strangely I get attached to my chosen Pokemon but hey we had all experience something like that. At some point you get attached to a character with or without a personality.

 

[Ratties]

...the monster designs are pretty appealing.

Yes, they keep making them better and better don't they?

Really like how most people who don't really know jack about the other pokes, use the ice cream poke as an excuse. Yeah it's an ice cream Pokemon, so what. Kind of get hit on the head and forget about all the bad designs in the first two generations. Are way more cooler pokes, than there are bad ones in the 5th gen. Really want to know what gen has the worst designs in my opinion, it's the second gen. Don't really hear about it because people tend to focus on the good ones, forget about all the shitty ones.

 

[TheYellowCellPhone]

I think what goes for it is that not many RPGs have come close to using Pokemon's formula. In most RPGs, you're required to have certain characters or class types in your party, but not in Pokemon. In most RPGs, you're not allowed to entirely switch out and redo your party's line up, but Pokemon encourages you to. Evolution has, I think, never been done before. A focus on collecting certain objects in the world has been done many times, but not like catching every usable party member.

Otherwise it doesn't have many things unique to other RPGs.

 

[Terminate421]

Because they are one of the few RPGs that don't bore me and allow me to actually outsmart the opponent rather than deal with whiny angst/drama.

Not to mention the fact that the PVP is unquestionably deep.

Plus designs are really fucking awesome when they make these bad boys:

 

[Zeldias]

Thanks, that was informative .

Also, when I say character-building, I'm not talking about the story, I'm talking about mechcanically building a character. IE, "Yes, I got five more Special Attack and ten more HP!" not "Yes, Pikachu just got over the death of his mother!"

My paragraph about EVs explains that. EVs determine stat boosts and pokemon can only have 510 to max out, and if you've not taken the time to max the best stats properly you'll have to start all over in that regard.

I'll repeat, with more emphasis this time: Your mons gain effort values (EVs), which aren't shown and so must be meticulously tracked (they're making it easier for newbies and veterans alike to track them in X & Y) added to their stats with every pokemon you beat, thus there is character customization of your monsters depending on which EVs you want them to gain in any stat you want to tweak and what natures they have since those dictate positive, negative & neutral gains in stats. e.g. I want to boost my team to be able to tank Special attacks so I battle against, say Tentacools, because they give EVs in that stat, Special defense. Properly done, you'll a see massive difference between EV trained pokemon vs mons trained by people who just did whatever during their play through. Then there are moves, natures, passive abilities, strategic breeding, Pokerus, EV training items, Vitamins, Berries etc that play very heavily in the meta game than during the main story, where a match can be won or lost because of one point in stat differences between mons that are EV trained to their utmost potential.

No emphasis or repetition was necessary (and felt kind of insulting, but this is all in direct textual communication so it's not like I can grasp your inflections or body language so I'm trying not to take it that way), I understood exactly what you were saying. The bit that you're reacting to was in response to another person who was talking about character building in terms of narrative, and not mechanics. Sorry I didn't double quote, but I don't really have a handle on how to do that other than quoting something and copy-pasting, and I was too tired to do so.

This is why I began that post specifically thanking you for informing me of those mechanics and then moved on from that.

Other posters:

Thanks! I have a better grasp on the whole phenomena now, I think. Again, I didn't want to knock what y'all like, but I just didn't understand what the attraction for the fanbase was. I have a friend who LOVES 4X games, and another that likes shooters and stealth games, and I ask them to break the appeal of those down for me, too. It's more about understanding what's appealing for a thing that I don't personally care for because I like to have a decent understanding even of things that I don't personally go for. Similarly, I'm happy to explain why I love beat em ups and fighting games and SRPGs like FF:T and Tactics Ogre.

I do like some of the creature designs, but I think my problem is that I don't really feel attached to them and hadn't felt that I had much control over their stat advancement in the games I've played. I'm also kind of put off by the world itself, but it does sound like a much more interesting series than I was giving it credit for.

Cool. Have fun with your games, Pokemon Masters :-D.

 

[Strain42]

I find it charming. It's simple, but fun, it's an enjoyable way to kill an afternoon, it's a game I can play just about anywhere, for any period of time. I can play on the toilet, I can play on my breaks at work, I can play at my desk, and since Pokemon doesn't require constant attention or else you die, I can often play while doing other things such as cooking or watching TV.

I like the designs of Pokemon. I feel like even the most bland and boring have something that makes them stand out from typical video game monsters. Not all of course, the entire series has its ups and downs in terms of designs.

But at the end of the day, I just find it fun. I enjoy picking six Pokemon that I love and making my team. I enjoy the feeling of defeating a gym leader or making my rival realize I'm just better than him.

For me at the end of the day, it's fun, and I like the Pokemon themselves. Not much left to be said.

 

[Johnny Novgorod]

...the monster designs are pretty appealing.

Yes, they keep making them better and better don't they?

Really like how most people who don't really know jack about the other pokes, use the ice cream poke as an excuse. Yeah it's an ice cream Pokemon, so what. Kind of get hit on the head and forget about all the bad designs in the first two generations. Are way more cooler pokes, than there are bad ones in the 5th gen. Really want to know what gen has the worst designs in my opinion, it's the second gen. Don't really hear about it because people tend to focus on the good ones, forget about all the shitty ones.

Gen VI will always be the ice-cream Pokemon gen to many

 

[rasputin0009]

Because it's fun to learn and grow right along with your Pokemon!

 

[bak00777]

I can't really explain it, maybe it is because each generation brings back the memories I made as a kid. Pokemon was such a big part of my childhood, I was like 5 or 6 when Red and Blue came out. I can remember where I was (both in game and real life) when my first Pokemon evolved. I stopped after 3rd gen, but last Oct I bought a copy of HeartGold and was swept back into my childhood. I do enjoy collecting Pokemon, even though I have never completed a Pokedex, I was close in Sapphire though. I also enjoy trying to make a strong rag tag team. For example, I decided to play through Silver again, this time using Pokemon that I never really used before, except for the starter.

 

[TheEvilCheese]

Pokémon for me is basically a lot of the things I enjoy most in a single package.

Simple to learn yet practically impossible to master mechanics? Check.
Great music (V. important )
Deep customization for my battle team. 649 designs to pick from.
Consistently refreshed, new ideas and mechanics every time it starts to feel stale.

Postgame content out the arse (especially from the POV of someone who enjoys competitive level play)

Add to this that pokemon gold was the first game I ever bought with my own money (Didn't play gen 1 until after) and will forever be the most enjoyment I get out of a single game by the widest of margins.




It's a pretty potent mix.