#lemkn rambles

[calico-strawberry]

Hrm, from what I've heard is that Desolation is probably more death for a Pokemon game then I'd like? I'll still definitely get to Desolation at some point, I don't want to put it down before I play it for myself, but I probably won't enjoy it quite to the same degree as other stuff.

But yeah, big issue with Pokemon fan games I have is having a lot of death. Most of the stuff I take issue with with Reborn's story is just the amount of death and in particular the amount that just feels like more of a shock factor then anything (like only Kiki and Taka's deaths and to a lesser degree Sigmund, made me feel anything more then just shock, the other prominent side characters that died only gave me feelings of "well that just happened". not to mention all the generic mooks who get killed for... Reasons I guess). I still like Reborn and most of it's story and characters, but all of the stuff I mentioned definitely means I put it a decent chunk below other fangames/ROM hacks I've played

Another similar example I have is Unbound and the "Dark and Edgy" version of the story which has been removed since it's full release.

And don't get me wrong, character deaths existing on it's own isn't the problem, it's more so a combination of how it's done, how much and frequently, and probably most importantly, who. Like I'm not gonna enjoy it if a character who's around from the start or something Gets Got by the narrative unless there's a very very good reason for it.

Basically, Pokemon is not a thing where I generally sign up for grittiness/lots of death or depression. Again Reborn is very much carried for me by the characters and gameplay.

[calico-strawberry]

Anya had basically had no experience battling in her previous life, as all she owned back in Reborn was a single Skitty before Anya ate shot and died.

So skip to Aevium nearly 16 years later brought back to life knowing jack shit about type match ups and somehow miraculously beating Venam first try with a team of grass types and a cat

[calico-strawberry]

They really made the Tapu quest needlessly inconvenient didn't they...

Ah yes I totally have 4 Pokemon lying around with all 4 Terrain moves. In actuality literally all I have is Zeraoura for electric terrain. I don't have anything with Misty Terrain, Grassy Terrain, the Grass Z-Crystal, and especially nothing with Psychic terrain (a whole 2 Pokemon learn that by level up, woo hoo)