Brain Full of Games

Returning to the Pokémon play through: out of the grind, but not quite in the clear. It is hard to get all the Pokémon you can, level up the ones you need to evolve rather than catch, and also keep to level with the gyms. I really feel like I’m not getting nearly enough Exp. for my efforts, but what can you do. People complained about Gen 2 for this reason: but as a child with basically unlimited time on summer vacation (and the rest of the year), I just did not feel what a slog it was.

After many much grinding, I was able to eek out a win against Jasmine (did I get very lucky with some Thunderbolt misses? Yes. But what did mom always say: Pokémon is 90% luck? Or ‘why do you call nonna twice a week but not me?’ Maybe that was it.) and finally remembered to check out the Battle Tower! I think I might have mentioned this in an earlier rant about Crystal version, but what a great addition to the games.

But here is the thing: the grind post Ecruteak gym is bad. Part of it is my own fault because I spent too much time playing with random catches I should have left to rot in Bill’s PC. My starter was under-leveled by 10-12, and I desperately needed him to learn Flame Wheel to melt those sons of bitches Magnemites. Meanwhile, it seemed like everything outside of the gyms and events (like Red Gyarados) is also under-leveled, so you struggle to get good experience for your grind in the grass or against Team Rocket. I’m getting ahead of myself in the story to rant about this. But the Team Rocket Grunts’ Pokémon in Mahogany were suddenly like eight levels lower than mine, which were so blown away by Jasmine’s Pokémon just the day before. Odd! Did anyone play test this part of the game?

What could have prevented this shock? Slightly lower levels at the gyms right after Ecruteak would have been helpful, even by just one or two. A bit more of an increase in level for wild Pokémon and trainer battles on the way to Olivine, on the sea route, and in Mt. Mortar. Oh, that reminds me: I need to grab my HM slave, cut that tree, and pay a visit to old Suicune. And I need to give Mr Pokémon the Red Scale in exchange to the Exp. Share. Maybe that will solve my problems.