This year marked the 25th anniversary of the release of the very firstPokemongames all the way back in 1996, and thePokemonfranchise has come a long way since its early days.Pokemon RedandBluewere the games that started it all for many players, and they were also the first to be released worldwide, and nowPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare back 15 years after the release of the original Generation 4 games.Pokemongames were never static, in the sense that the franchise changed and evolved throughout the years alongside its players, albeit in a different way.
MainlinePokemongames have always had a pattern of sorts when it comes to their narrative, and there were always a few specific elements involved to a degree depending on the Generation of games. The main themes have always been that of growing up, taking on an adventure, making new friends thanks to the Pokemon themselves, facing a rival, and getting stronger. The characters then prove their worth by defeating Gym Leaders and sabotaging the baddies' plan. This also applies to the originalGeneration 4 games, as well asPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl. However, they still feel different.
RELATED:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl Players Can be Softlocked Inside the Seventh Gym
A Reddit user called Commander579 shared a post stating that they figured out what makes modernPokemongames feel different when compared to the first few Generations, all while playingPokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearl. Their take is that, in classic top-downPokemongames, players were controlling a child protagonist who had a lot on their plate, whereas in modern games the protagonists tend to be children who are told by the adults to just be children.
Another player believes thatPokemon BlackandWhitewere the biggest steps forward due to the protagonists being young adults and treated as such.PokemonBrilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare faithful remakesof Generation 4 titles, and as such, they too feature children as their protagonists - which is not a bad thing per se.
Pokemon SwordandShieldare the latest installments in the main series as far as Generations go, and they were bothgeared towards youngPokemonfans. “Adult"Pokemongames are common because the audience grew up with the games, but the narrative of the games didn’t match that growth in the same way. Thus, modernPokemongames often feel different from the first bunch, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing.
Pokemon Brilliant DiamondandShining Pearlare available now on the Switch.
MORE:Pokemon Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl’s Timed Drifloon Encounter is a Weird Oversight
