Game Review – Pokemon: Let’s Go, Pikachu!

Pokémon: Let’s Go Eevee! and Let’s Go Pikachu! are transformational remakes of those 20-year-old games for the Nintendo Switch, with bright, beautiful cartoon graphics and great animation. And yet the imagination and wonder of these creatures and this world, in which kids venture out to find their own destiny in the company of loyal, adorable pets, is as amazing as ever. Collecting and battling the original 150-odd creatures, assembling a special team of six to take on Gym Leaders and the Elite Four to become the world’s best Pokémon trainer is, in retrospect, a fable about persistence, loyalty and self-determination.

But the best part is by far the relationship you develop with your Pokemon. I mean, can you even handle this level of cuteness?

The story is also beautiful and emotional. I can clearly recognize all the moments I found myself crying or being happy together with my Pokemon. It is all an adventure, an adventure in which you have your best friends to help you go over the bad times.

Give Me Your Money and Your Poke Balls

Yep. It is all about catching them all, right? As you process through the story, you find yourself catching more rare Pokemon and helping them evolve. You can always battle people you find on the road, too, in order to catch more experience with your new Pokemon. In that case, you can get more money and poke balls. But be aware, do not overdo it! And if so, there is always a Pokemon Center around the corner of the next city, where you can rest your little friends. In the meanwhile, enjoy the love you get back!

It’s all legendary…

If you really want to be a great Pokemon trainer, you clearly need to catch the legendary Pokemon, with the great help of your best buddy!

And in the end…

Well, as a conclusion… returning to Kanto is almost as much fun and as heartwarming as I’d hoped it would be. Pikachu is adorable and has the capability to learn some incredible moves, and they feel special both in and out of battle. The Pokemon Go catching system is a more relaxing way to fill out the Pokedex and grind for experience, and I never felt like I was missing out on battles because of it.

And in the end, enjoy the fame, you cool Pokemon Master!