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Modojo Roundtable - The Pokemon Incident
Written by Modojo Staff on Tuesday, May 15, 2007
The Knights of the Modojo Roundtable tackle all things Pokemon. The history of the franchise, the problems with gameplay, why it is so addicting, and in short, who's the coolest of the lot.
...Continued From Page 1 Ryan Morgan: Even though I love the Pokemon games, all of you are completely justified in your points about them being a lot of grinding with little story. I've had plenty of times where I'll put one of them down for a week out of frustration, only to pick it back up a week later and put 15 hours into it that weekend.
I just find that the lacking story and somewhat limiting design don't matter in the end. Whether or not you will enjoy the series centers on your party: the desire to add cool new Pokemon, the balancing act of type versus type, polishing movesets for the maximum damage, and just coming up with a group that you find fun to use. Not being able to get into that aspect (which could be considered amazingly robust RPG character creation, when you think about it), is the reason some people hate the series after giving it a shot.
Cody: I don't know if I'd say it's amazingly robust. Remember those PC Advanced Dungeons and Dragons games? Baldur's Gate, Planescape: Torment and the like? I've been into those recently, and that is where I start to throw around the term amazingly robust.
Changing topics a little bit, I'm floored nowadays when I think back to what Pokemon did to other games. New games like Spectrobes and Monster Hunter are really Pokemon in a different direction, and my favorite Pokemon inspired game has to be Monster Rancher, way back on the Playstation. The mechanic where swapping the disc game for any random CD created a new monster was genius, and also, entirely mindless. It reminds me a lot of the Pokemon grind and how seemingly boring endeavors can sometimes be captivating. Any other games you guys think Pokemon helped shape over the years?
Eugene: How could you forget Robopon? It's like Pokemon with robots, and incidentally, the main character's name is Cody. I don't know anything else about it except that the title sounds vaguely sexual. But fear not, readers, if Robo Porn really is your bag, check out Xenosaga.
Robert: Robo-porn? Now why am I reminded of that scene in Scary Movie 4 where the alien is humping the living hell out of a vacuum?
Cody: So. Off. Topic. Bringing things back on track, and as we're coming down to the wire, what is everyone's official stance on Diamond and Pearl?
To Buy, or not to Buy?
Fun, or not so Fun?
...and why?
Robert: Probably not buy from my point, but that's only because I never got into the Pokemon games to begin with. The more of a fan you are, the better a time you'll have. That seems to be the general consensus.
Me? I'd rather go with something like, oh, Taito Legends Power-Up or Outrun. That's just my nature.
Philip: I find it slightly odd I guess, that Pokemon being 10 years old now, means it's getting played by kids who were born after it first came out. Hell, it's hard enough to believe the Game Boy is what.. 18 years old now? I should buy mine a beer or something.
So while I never got into the whole Pokemon thing myself, I will admit that the original Pokemon cartoon theme tune, is the best-est theme tune ever for a cartoon!
Elmer: But sometimes the more of a fan you were, the harder can be to get back in.
That's the boat I'm in right now. I completed my copy of Pokemon Yellow when I was back in middle school. It was one of the greatest (or at least most addictive) games I'd ever played so I feel I've conquered that mountain.
But the best part of the new games, in my mind, is the inclusion of battling over the internet. This is huge to me, since one of the best parts of the game has been trading and dueling with my friends (heck, even strangers) during lunch time at middle school. Maybe if I can convince three or more of my buddies to pick up the game, that'd be more than sufficient for me to give yet another Pokemon game a go.
Cody: Well, I guess we've figured out who isn't going to be picking the game up, and who is willing to give it a chance. We've been all around the Pokemon issue, but I thought we should finish this conversation up with one more question. This time, about the Pokemon themselves.
Out of all the Pokemon, which Pokemon do you, or would you guys use? Which is the coolest?
Justin: I'm not sure I'm quite ready to debate the relative "coolness" or practicality of the actual Pokemon themselves. I'm enjoying Diamond, but that kind of discussion is a level Poke-obsession I haven't reached, yet.
That being said, I picked Chimchar - the mischievious monkey with a flaming tail - as my starter. If a playful monkey is a cool pet, then isn't a playful monkey with a flaming tail even cooler?
Robert: If I had to use just one, I'd probably choose Charizard. Bad ASS.
But if I had to talk Pokemon, I'd pick Coffing just because it's cool as heck to say Coffing. Rolls right off the tongue. "COFFIIIIIIING!"
Cody: Charizard is like, the OG hardcore Pokemon. Everyone loved Charizard, and out of the starting Pokemon in Diamond and Pearl, just like Justin, I went with Chimchar. Seriously, does anything else need to be said, other than he's a monkey? Monkeys are cool. Plain and simple.
If I was to choose my favorite Pokemon of all the creatures though, I think it has to be Meditite. Honestly, he's like the Poke-Buddha, and that is insanely cool.
Elmer: Psyduck. I've always had a soft spot for the guy since his headaches equaled his power.
Cody: Well, I think we've blathered fairly sufficiently on the topic of Pokemon. We've touched on the problems with the game, why it excels past them and maintains popularity, the amazing tenacity of the franchise in reaching a refreshed demographic as well as adults, and, in a pathetically fanboyish tone, our favorite Pokemon. What else needs to be said?
We hope you guys enjoyed this roundtable, and if so, let us know in the comments. Specifically, direct us toward the next franchise or event you'd like to see us chat about.
posted May 19, 2007