Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! is a role-playing game that was released alongside Pokémon: Let’s Go Eevee! They are only available to play on Nintendo Switch and were released on 16th November 2018. The games were developed by Game Freak and published by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. Game Freak created their first set of Pokémon games in 1996, which were Red and Blue, and since then they have been famous for bringing Pokémon into many players’ lives. The Pokémon Company are responsible for brand management, production, marketing and licencing of the Pokémon franchise.
A Pokémon Adventure Awaits
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! tells the original story of a Pokémon trainer getting their first Pokémon and making their way out into the world on a huge adventure. You start off in the classic Pallet Town and meet with the graphically updated Professor Oak. You get your first Pokémon and make your way through the different towns claiming badges, catching and raising Pokémon, filling up your Pokedex and taking down Team Rocket. When you start the game, you choose whether you are male or female and your skin type. Throughout the game you can customise your character and your first Pokémon by changing their clothing and accessories.
Catching Pokémon in this new updated version of the game is very different. You will not need to fight the Pokémon or weaken them. Instead, you will catch them exactly like you do in Pokémon Go, with the addition of feeding them berries and fruit to make tougher Pokémon easier to catch. When playing the game in handheld mode, you may need to move the console around to follow the Pokémon’s movement. When playing the game through your television, you will need to move the stick in a specific way to throw the Poke Ball.
A Bond Like No Other
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! offers players a blast from the past by keeping the story and the main aim of the game exactly as they were when the game was first released on the Game Boy Colour. There are some huge differences that has made this classic game even greater. The best thing about the new version of the game are the graphics. It is visually stunning with its beautiful surroundings and amazing detail.
Another great change is the ability to spend lots of time bonding with Pikachu. When you bring up your main menu, you can select an option to play with Pikachu by feeding him berries and fruit, or you can show it some affection. The more you do this, the more Pikachu will start to love you. Throughout the journey of Pokémon, you will build a strong bond with Pikachu and with your other Pokémon. You can even choose a Pokémon to take out of its Poke Ball to walk alongside you, as well as your Pikachu.
Gotta Catch ‘Em All
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! is not without its issues. This may sound a bit strange, but the game is way too easy. It is extremely easy to catch the Pokémon, and you can see the wild Pokémon in the open world, so you can also easily avoid them. Another issue is that the Pokémon don’t feel as rare. With the older games, it took hours of hard work to get one of the cool Pokémon, but with this newest version they just appear constantly. The Pokémon also seem to evolve much quicker. Everything just feels extremely easy, and I remember having trouble with the older games and having to spend hours leveling up.
Because the Pokémon aren’t as rare or hard to catch, I have found myself with way too many Pokémon. I have so many that I felt a bit spoiled for choice. At first, I tried to alternate between all of my Pokémon, leveling up slowly but keeping them all at the same level. After a while, I got sick of doing that, so I just picked my favourite six and focused on them. I made sure that the six Pokémon I chose had all of the necessary abilities and elemental advantages that I needed. If you have Pokémon that you don’t want, or if you have doubles, then you can send these Pokémon to Professor Oak so he can use them for his research. You will also get rewards for doing this in the form of candy that will boost your Pokémon’s statistics.
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! in a Nutshell
Pokémon: Let’s Go, Pikachu! is really fun to play, and it really takes me back to playing the original Pokémon games when I was younger. I was feeling quite nostalgic when getting my first Pokémon from Professor Oak. There are quite a few familiar faces throughout the game, and I also enjoy the fact that you can see the wild Pokémon running around. The problems mainly lie with the game being way too easy. Although it is nice seeing the wild Pokémon running around, it is very easy to dodge them, which you will likely tend to do when you already have one of the same Pokémon captured. The graphics for the game are amazing, and even though the game has its fault, I really enjoyed going on a great adventure.
Developer: Game Freak
Publisher: The Pokémon Company, Nintendo
Platform: Nintendo Switch
Release Date: 16th November 2018