Pokemon Let’s Go is a bit of a curious game in the eyes of fans. For the hardcore fans, it doesn’t seem like a “real” Pokemon game, for while it does have elements of the main series, it also incorporates many elements of the hit mobile game Pokemon GO. As for casual fans, they see this as an opportunity to jump in without having to worry about remembering everything that the series has built up so far. For the dev team though, they see this as something more though, they see this as a new beginning.
This comes from Pokemon developer Junichi Musada, who talked with The Verge about the state of the Pokemon universe, and noted how Pokemon helped revitalize the franchise in a big way:
“Pokémon Go really did represent the second Pokémon boom, so to say, and it was really a rare opportunity that no one could have counted on. Especially the timing, with the 20th anniversary of Pokémon was the same year and we were able to create something that really resonated with the world again and just kind of create this huge explosion.”
It was because of this “explosion” that Pokemon Let’s Go went into development. As Musada and Game Freak wanted to welcome casual and new gamers into the franchise without a lot of stress and remembering of mechanics. Musada honestly feels that this game, along with the “main” title coming to Switch next year, could be a true new beginning for the franchise.
“The biggest thing I feel with Let’s Go is really hoping that it’s going to serve as sort of a base or starting point for the next 20 years of Pokémon. I really think it’s important that Pokémon continues to be a positive force in the world – makes people happier, enriches their lives through a variety of ways. But I don’t think it needs to be a consistent, unchanging experience necessarily. I think there’s still a lot of room to explore variety, not only through the main series of games but also through the more spinoff titles.”
Pokemon Let’s Go releases on November 16th.
