Pokemon Sword And Shield

[Aussie2B]

I used all the included documentation when I played through Dragon Warrior, and I think it helped my enjoyment of the game, if anything. It's such a grindy game, the more it can be streamlined, the better, in my opinion.

I found Dragon Warrior Monsters even more dull than Pokemon Blue, mainly due to the randomly generated dungeons, where you very quickly see the same map shapes over and over and over. But I know the game has its fans, so YMMV. To be honest, I think monster-collecting RPGs in general aren't for me. I do like collecting things in other games, but something about that specific combination always seems to be a bore for me. I've had similar meh feelings about others I've beaten, like Metal Walker. Maybe someday I'll find one that clicks with me.

[Edmond Dantes]

I used all the included documentation when I played through Dragon Warrior, and I think it helped my enjoyment of the game, if anything. It's such a grindy game, the more it can be streamlined, the better, in my opinion.

See though, that's exactly the problem... it only seems "grindy" because you have a guide telling you "don't go here until you're at level X." I wasn't doing that, I was exploring and seeing what was around every bend. Yes I died a lot, but considering you get to keep your EXP even when you die.... and it's honestly a lot more satisfying to find the guy who tells you where the fairy flute is than to just have a guide say "Oh, its right here."

Had a longer response but it wound up repeating a lot of what I planned to say in a video, so I cut it. Said video has unfortunately suffered setbacks (sigh.... seems like any time I start actually working on something, a setback happens -__- )

To be honest, I think monster-collecting RPGs in general aren't for me. I do like collecting things in other games, but something about that specific combination always seems to be a bore for me.

I think I understand the feeling. Any sort of monster-recruiting game, whether its Pokemon or Megami Tensei, leave me with a simultaneous feeling of being overwhelmed and underwhelmed.

One issue I personally have with the genre is that, well... I mean, you've essentially got 100+ recruitable characters, who you don't know the full potential of unless you either A) spend hours levelling them all up or B) purchase the strategy guide. Like, for all I know this snowman dude I'm letting onto my team could be either the greatest asset ever, or a huge waste of time. Or for another thing, did anyone ever figure out--without having a guide or having it spoiled by the anime or manga--that Magikarp evolves into Gyarados if you keep on giving it experience points? I somehow doubt it. And to be frank I am not gonna spend hours getting 100+ characters to level 99 just to see what all moves they get.

Shin Megami Tensei Nocturne was really bad about this because early on you get a boss fight that requires you to know how to do some really specific things in order to win. Again, how do without strategy guide...?

At least with classic RPGs of the fighter/thief/cleric/mage persuasion, I have a solid idea what to expect. With mons I really don't.

But the flip side is that whatever they can do naturally is... usually all they can do, period. Like in Dragon Warrior II I can make characters immune to poison marshes by giving them a certain armor, but in Pokemon I will never be able to grant Pikachu any special abilities because all I can do is level him up. Even learning new moves feels a little limiting because of the four-move limit, which often makes me feel like I have to make a choice of evils.... and I know I tried playing FireRed and had the issue of "I don't know what this move is or does so I'll accept it and try it out and then reload my last save if it sucks." Like... that just seems like.... how is this game popular again?

I seriously had a period while playing a borrowed (well, bought then traded back at the store) copy of FireRed where one of my mons learned two moves after one level up, and both wound up lame compared to moves I had to replace... sigh... I mean not every spell I learn in a traditional RPG is golden but at least my mages don't have to forget old magic to make room for new stuff.

[Aussie2B]

Does the official documentation for Dragon Warrior say not to visit a certain area until a specific level is hit? I don't even recall. Either way, the game is grindy regardless, so I prefer to spend my time with the game as efficiently as possible. I don't want to waste time on enemies weaker than I can handle, and I don't want to waste time visiting areas where I'll get creamed and have to start back at the castle. That's why I prefer the GBC version of the game. You get more experience and gold, so you can move through the game at a quicker pace.

[Edmond Dantes]

I've never owned a CIB copy of Dragon Warrior, so I don't know if the included documentation says that... I just know I've seen faqs and guides which do say such things.

[Edmond Dantes]

So I checked the newsfeed on my Switch and one of the recent articles (as in, like, three days ago) was all about the Pokemon Shield-exclusive Galarian Ponyta.

My first thought upon seeing this is wondering if Nintendo is trying to capitalize on the Brony fanbase... without realizing that said fanbase is basically a thing of the past now (wouldn't be the first time Nintendo has been late to a party).

[Aussie2B]

I would guess it's a coincidence, especially when most of the design is rooted in the original Ponyta design that existed loooong before My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic. Pokemon is designed in Japan, and while MLP: FIM was localized for Japan, I would imagine it wasn't nearly as much of a phenomenon over there as in the West.

[Edmond Dantes]

Yeah but assuming its a coincidence is the boring answer

Well, that and its coloring is Princess Celestia's and I recall Ponyta looking more like a realistic horse (realistic except for the flame parts) whereas this one has a poofy mane and tail like Pinkie Pie.

Apparently MLP did make some headway in Japan. Really though, the only thing that makes me think they're trying to get brony attention is that they specifically highlighted this one pokemon in a news feed as if they expect a new version of a Gen 1 pokemon to be special. I could imagine that for Pikachu, but isn't Ponyta just one of those "name sounds kinda familiar but nobody calls it a favorite" Pokemon?