Pokemon: Let’s Go - Review
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: November 16th 2018
Pokemon Let’s Go was met with a mixed reception upon it’s reveal earlier this year. While the games are primarily targeted at a younger audience and players who are new to the Pokemon universe, there’s plenty of charm and nostalgia for longtime fans to dive headfirst into.
Let’s Go takes us back to where it all started in the Kanto region. While largely a re-imagining of the franchises first outings: Red, Blue and Yellow, there are some hefty changes in Pikachu and Eevee. The biggest overhaul is that wild battles have now been replaced with catching encounters. Instead of battling your way through wild Pokemon to make it to the next city, you’ll be using the Switch’s joy-con controllers or handheld mode to capture creatures. While for longtime fans of the series it might be a letdown, the catching system is surprisingly fun and relaxing albeit repetitive. Another downside is that, despite the novelty of psychically throwing a pokeaball in the Switch’s docked TV mode, it’s fairly inaccurate and becomes frustrating at times.
Other series staple features including held items, Pokemon breeding and HM moves are also absent. HM moves in particular have been replaced with ‘special techniques’ that your starter Pokemon learn as the story progresses. The best part? these techniques don’t take up any move slots unlike HMS before them.
Speaking of starter Pokemon; Pikachu and Eevee are delightful partners, and, feel more like yours than ever. In a lovely nod to Pokemon Yellow, Pikachu and Eevee sit on your head or shoulder respectively as you navigate your way through the environment. You’ll also be able to have another Pokemon from your party walk alongside you, and, as well as being adorable, your partners will often collect useful items along the way. The bond you’ll develop with the starter of your choice is delightful and is bound to immerse players more than ever before.
Despite the big changes, there’s still plenty of old surprises for returning players. Kanto has been recreated in captivating detail with delightful cartoony graphics. The story remains the same as Red, Blue and Yellow, and, there are even some nice references to both the anime and manga for the diehard fans, including an encounter with a rather mischievous Squirtle that’s not unlike ‘the Squirtle squad’ from the anime series. You’ll also butt heads with Team Rocket’s Jessie, James and Meowth along the way, and get helpful advice from other familiar faces.
The combat remains the same as ever with quick turn-based battles, the enhanced graphics and power of the switch leads to some brilliant attack animations that make encounters enticing to watch. Further more, the introduction of coach and master trainers are an interesting addition to the mix. However, with the game being designed for younger players and beginners there is a serious lack of difficultly. That’s not to say Pokemon games have ever intended to be excruciatingly hard but Let’s Go does hold your hand a lot, and, you’re likely to find yourself breezing through battles very quickly so It’s understandable that this would turn off veteran players who enjoy the challenge and grind of previous titles.
Overall, Let’s Go is a heartwarming experience. While it’s not the mainline game everyone wanted it’s still bound to leave you wanting to catch em’ all and become a Pokemon master. The Pokemon Go capture system is a relaxing way to fill up your pokedex, Kanto is brimming with nostalgia, and, for beginners it’s near a perfect game. There are some minor motion control issues and a couple of slowdown lags but they’re few and far between and don’t take away from the overall experience.
If you’re looking for a fun, relaxing Pokemon adventure then this is the game for you.
