Like most 90s kids, I grew up with Pokemon, and I'm a fan of the first generation. Yet, I was not entirely convinced when Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee were released. I admit - I have not played Pokemon in a while, and have some catching up to do in terms of how the games have developed.
Anyway, some circumstances led to me having a copy of Pokemon Let's Go Eevee, and while nursing a mild fever and cold in my hotel room in Tokyo, I booted up the game.
As it turns out, Pokemon Let's Go is the updated Pokemon Yellow/Blue/Red without the grind. Here are 4 reasons why I am now obsessed with this game:
1) Nostalgia
Playing Pokemon Let's Go Eevee felt like a throwback to 1999 when I played Pokemon Blue on my Game Boy Color. But because it was not just a copy of the original game with updated graphics, I felt like I was re-discovering Kanto and re-discovering that magic I felt as a child.
I like the added touch of keeping the Pokemon in the Pokemon as 16-bit sprites.
2) Less Grind, Less Random Battles
One of the key gameplay changes was that instead of battling wild Pokemon to catch them or gain EXP, the Pokemon Go gameplay was incorporated. Pokemon would now appear on the overworld, visible to you and you can decide if you want to run over to try and catch the Pokemon.
Over time, this style is a little more enjoyable as it is a lot less hassle compared to having to fight countless random battles as you cut through Viridian Forest.
3) More Pokemon
One of the first things I noticed about the game was that it was much easier to catch Pokemon that were much harder to catch in the old Pokemon Blue/Red games. This was quite fun at first, as I enjoyed the feeling of satisfaction of catching that Rapidash I never had.
Beyond this, the game also features Pokemon from the Alola region. You can trade with some of the NPCs whom you'll meet in the game to get these Pokemon. NGL, I'm absolutely taken by my Alolan Raichu, and have taken the NPC's words seriously (to spread the word about Alolan Raichu's cuteness).
4) More Interaction
I have always wondered what it would be like if it was not just Pikachu out of the Pokeball, but other Pokemon as well. Now, I have my answer.
My personal favourites to be let out of the Pokeball so far are: Arcanine (so that I can ride on him and move super fast), Charizard (so that I can fly over everyone), Snorlax, and Chansey (so. damn. cute.)!