108) Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee (2018)

Following the release of Pokémon Go in 2016, work on Pokémon: Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee began to capitalize on the resurgence in popularity of the franchise. Aimed primarily at a younger and more casual audience, director Junichi Masuda decided to make the game a remake of Pokémon Yellow, as the incorporation of elements from the anime made it resonate more with the target audience. The decision to have Eevee be the mascot of the paired version came down its fairly wide popularity and the abundance of fan art. While a remake of one of the original games, Let's Go features a significant number of changes and alterations and simplifications in attempt to bring in the casual audience of the massively successful mobile game.

Let's Go Eevee is a game that I have attempted to play numerous times over the years. Every time, without fail, I lose interest due to how different it is from the mainline games. I've tried multiple challenges to make the game more difficult, but the core mechanics kept pushing me away. The frustrating part is that if the game had been more traditional, I would have adored it from start to finish, as most of the non mechanical changes are interesting or outright amazing. So, for the first time, I forced myself to sit down and actually play and complete the game.

We begin the game in much the same way as the originals, as a child who has been summoned to Professor Oak's lab to help with some task. While the professor is not in his lab, we attempt to leave town where we find him and a rather random Eevee that we help him catch. After returning to his lab, we aren't even given the illusion of choice as we receive Eevee as our very first partner. Interestingly, this Eevee has increased stats and is capable of learning a much wider array of moves than your standard stock Eevee. All of this is moot for me, as I quickly relegated it to being an accessory, riding around on my head as I collected and utilized a full team of six other Pokémon. This is fine though, as our Eevee can't be boxed, traded, or released, allowing us to carry seven critters around for the first time in the series's history.

The biggest point of deviation comes in the complete lack of battles against wild Pokémon. Wild Pokémon will spawn from tall grass and actually run around the overworld, allowing us to avoid them all together if we like. In lieu of battling them, we're instead presented with a motion controlled version of the mechanic from the mobile game. We can throw berries to make them easier to catch, but otherwise we're simply chucking balls at them until they either allow themselves to be caught or they flee. This is one of my biggest issues with the game, as it makes every encounter reminiscent of the old Safari Zone, which I also hated. The lack of battling wild Pokémon means that the only way in which we can grind is to engage in this lackluster catching system. We then have the option to send unwanted Pokémon to the Professor, which is akin to releasing them, in exchange for stat boosting candies. It's a terrible and frustrating system that is made all the more baffling as we proceed.

From there, the game plays out pretty much as one would expect. We have the option of having any of our party members follow us around, which is more novel than anything. A select few Pokémon can be used mounts to ride around, but this serves mostly as a replacement for the bike, and I wish the selection was more diverse, though there are a few fun ones. We still battle trainers, which makes the catching system more annoying to deal with. As battles are static, grinding becomes a much more annoying chore as it forces you to engage with the catching mechanic. It's also frustrating that the game is mostly limited to the original 151 creatures with the option to get Alolan forms adding a bit of variety.

Among the more positive changes, the revamped and often redesigned gyms are a particular highlight. In order to even challenge a gym, you must meet a particular requirement, such as having a certain type of Pokémon, having one of sufficient level, or having a certain number of species registered in your Pokédex. I found this to be a fun way in which the developers could help ensure newer players were ready for the gyms. This is also the first time we've had the original Kanto gyms presented in 3D, and almost all benefit from the shift. Each gym and gym leader is simply oozing with charm and personality, which is a huge bonus for what could otherwise be a pretty bland region.

In keeping with what was established in Sun & Moon, the game does away with HMs in favor of having our partner Eevee learning techniques that serve as replacements. That's right, Eevee can learn to cut shrubbery and move boulders in addition to surfing, flying, and somehow illuminating dark caves. This is a much welcome, albeit rather absurd, change to the games. In addition, there are certain NPCs that can teach our partner Eevee unique moves that allow it aburd coverage. These are brand new, oddly powerful moves whose only downside is having exceedingly dumb names. The Dark move "Baddy Bad" the Flying move "Floaty Fall" being possibly the most egregious examples.

Pokémon: Let's Go Eevee is an odd game that doesn't quite seem to know what it wants to be. The mechanics are incredibly simplified in order to appeal to casual players, but it's filled with references to and remnants of past titles that would only appeal to long time fans. It exists seemingly as a promotional product for the already ubiquitous mobile game while also relying on the popularity of said mobile game for itself. At times it felt as though the game existed only as a necessity, as a console game that connects to Pokémon Go was promised before a solid plan had been put in place as to what it would entail. while it takes a few chances and has a charm all its own, I find it to be a difficult game to recommend for just about anyone. While there are moments of fun to be had, I sincerely doubt I'll bring myself to dust it off and experience it again.