Disclaimer, folx. My first Pokemon game was Pokemon Pearl for the DS (one of my college friends at the time played the Diamond version). So, if you were expecting opinions from an ol’ head or diehard fan… sorry. My credentials only include watching the anime when it first hopped over to the USA and collecting anything Pikachu themed.
I’m also part of the problem. Unlike Sword/Shield I was excited for this installment and actually preordered.
While I am also pretty easy to please, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend Pokemon ScarJo and Violent didn’t have issues. Like everyone else I hated the glitches and wished GameFreak didn’t rush this game out. There’s a lot of good game in there but unfortunately… those damn bugs can really ruin your session if you’re unlucky. But it’s fucking POKEMON, the biggest franchise in the world! They could ship out a cartridge with a lone MIDI file and it would sell a bajillion copies.
But enough talk, let’s talk about the shit I liked! Oh, and there will be unmarked SPOILERS, so be careful if you haven’t completed the main storylines yet.

For the full gallery, it now has it’s own page here: Pokemon ScarJo and Violent Images.
My Nice Rival and BFF
The Rival– she’s just gassing me up all the time! And pushing me to be my very best! Very supportive! I need to be the friend like that. And she’s so passionate about battling, it’s cute (but I can see it wearing thin sometimes). Unpopular opinion: I like that this rival is nice, and when it was time to best her no one kicked her while she was down. I was also that awkward kid in school so the “extrovert adopts the introvert” angle I could put to it was oddly satisfying.
No Blasting Off, This Time
Now, this one was a pleasant surprise! I just assumed they’d be the typical bullies bulling around the region. It was good to see it subverted– they were standing AGAINST the real bullies! As someone who experienced bullying that was important to see. Also kudos for the head guy actually trying to get to the bottom of things instead of just assuming– and afterward promised to strive to do better by his students by vindicating Team Star, and be a better headmaster for his students.
Go Away Vuvuzela We Are Literally Just Vibing
Vuzela. It’s Vuzela. I hate those jerks!
“R you ready? Let’s Go!” I just wish my running animation wasn’t too fast for my companion Pokemon; they can’t keep up! I’m in the wide open world that is overwhelming, but I got my Dunsparce army pal with me. And the picnics! Very cute, and I’d be just vibing and feeding them. The sandwich minigame physics were kinda shit, though.
What’s that tiny ghost dog dancing to?
If GameFreak did one thing right, it’s the soundtrack. In my opinion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6A63kIN6ync
Other Things That I Enjoyed
- The characters and interactions— including gyms. Gym challenges felt really silly at times, but they added some depth to the leaders and the world. Also, I’m rolling a giant olive your way, do you want to argue?!
- The open world, even without the level scaling. I personally took it as a challenge to travel through high-level areas until I either reached a PokeStop or got whooped. Like I said, I’m easy to please.
- The classes. Look, I’m a nerd and actually miss academia. And I learned stuff!
- My starter. I opted to ignore stats and efficiency and all that important stuff when choosing a Pokemon and just went with what I thought was the goshdarned cutest. Since it wasn’t purely strategic I grew attached to DANKUS. Oh, and weed jokes.
- Getting lucky. The worst I dealt with consistently were goofy camera angles. However, I’m terrified of spamming Thunder lest I crash the game to the start screen. And those tiny pokeballs in entryways drive me bonkers.


The Most Important Thing About PSV
IT’S ME.
I’M THE MAIN CHARACTER.
MY CUSTOMIZATION HAS ME ACTUALLY BROWN.
I’M A FUCKING PRODIGY, I GO TO THE BEST SCHOOL, GOT SOME RAD FRIENDS, WEEDCAT, AND A FUCKIN’ FUTURISTIC MOTORCYCLE BADASS FOR TRANSPORTATION AND COMPANIONSHIP.
OH, AND DID I MENTION THAT I SAVED THE WORLD REGION? I DID THAT SHIT.
AND NOW I AM GOING TO DO THIS ACE ACADEMY THING and respectfully do my best and be a graceful participant to my peers and teachers.
Stay humble.
And have lots of picnics.