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May 21, 2024
It’s a brand-new region to explore.
Start.
The title sequence plays, overwhelming me with information. I don’t recognize anything—vague symbols, a different language, brand new Pokémon. I only know that the journey is going to be exciting.
Set. Region: Berlin. Character name: Ronal. Major: Computer Science & Mathematics.
I exit the back of the vehicle, enter the building that is now my new home, reset the clock, and check the Menu. As expected, the two most important options are missing: Pokédex and Pokémon. The graphics haven’t changed. Has the story? Tomorrow, I will meet the Professor.
Save.
May 22, 2024
Continue.
The introduction hasn’t changed. “Welcome to the brand-new world of Pokémon”. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAA. As I enter the lab, I feel nostalgic yet unfamiliar. The plot is somehow different. In this region, the Champion is the Professor. My rival character is absent. Instead, there are 11 others like me—brand new trainers waiting for their first Pokémon. Champion Aaron hands us three Pokedex: Lateral Thinking, Art & Fear, and Flow. My entries are empty, and he expects me to complete them, but I simply want to catch Pokémon and battle. I am excited to see what brand new creatures this region has for me. We all receive the same starter: creating.nyuadim.com. What are its stats? Its rarity? What EVs and IVs does it have? What is its nature? Everything is confusing as I try to understand the mechanisms of this brand-new game.
Suddenly, a Pokémon appears! It is weak: a mere 23 minutes. Kermit never stood a chance against my strategic play. My first Pokedex entry! The region looks doable.
Save.
May 23, 2024
Continue.
I have prepared as best as I could. I stand in front of my 1st gym. I am nervous. The gym leader 30 Circles looks strong. I am unsure if I can beat it with my Pokémon’s level. My first battle was a complete failure. The Professor gave us a useful tip: “Do not focus too much on the loss. Train more and battle again”.
I will be using this strategy a lot in future battles. I spend hours training, battling wild Pokémon, and improving my team’s abilities. Eventually, success! My Pokémon gained a lot of experience from this fight. But I know, the stronger my Pokémon grows, the slower it will level up. Wait, is that a Legendary Pokémon?. Otis Sandsjö appeared. Everything is happening so fast. Noooooooooooo. I could not catch him in time. He has escaped. This game is more challenging than I had thought.
Save.
May 24-June 5, 2024
Continue.
I’ve traveled through various terrains, from dense forests to bustling urban centers. My Pokémon have grown significantly stronger, learning new moves and evolving. I’ve formed alliances with other trainers, discovered hidden areas, and unraveled parts of the overarching storyline. The complexity of the game world keeps me engaged, constantly pushing me to explore and experiment. Current Progress:
Number of Badges: 7
Gym leaders defeated: 30 Circles, Alternative Meanings, Why, Design, Reversal, Random Word, Meaningful Connection
Pokedex entries: Kermit, Lateral Thinking: Introduction (pp 9-14), Lateral Thinking: How the Mind Works (pp 25-38), Lateral Thinking: Innovation & Suspended Judgement (pp 105-111), Art & Fear: The Nature of the Problem (pp 1-7), FIELD, Art & Fear: Fears About Yourself (pp 23-36), Art & Fear: Fears About Others (pp 37-47), Flow: Paths of Liberation (pp 20-22), The Conditions of Flow (pp 71-77).
Legendries encountered: Otis Sandsjö , Mariana Carvalho, Merche Blasco, Ming Poon, Harshini J. Karunaratne, Robert Seidel, Marco Borotti.
This game defied the principles of my usual gameplay. No user manual to refer, no set route to move through, no perfect run. I was forced to expand my vision beyond the boundaries of my Gameboy. Unlike the structured, linear progression of typical Pokémon games, this experience demanded flexibility and adaptability. There was a lot of trial and error when deciding the direction my character had to move. More often, I would get lost. But that is what made me realize the element which makes Pokémon so much fun: the exploration. Every step into the unknown was an invitation to uncover the secrets of this vast new region.
To obtain key items, I had to meticulously explore every inch of the region. Talking to NPCs made me realize that their mundane dialogues often contained the clues needed to advance in the game. Finding hidden pieces required me to be patient and observe. But most importantly, I found out that obtaining the Master Ball isn’t always the optimal strategy. Sometimes, I have to affect the Pokémon with a status condition, learn the boosted catch rates of every Pokeball, and ultimately, throw the best ball I have at my disposal. The thrill of discovery kept me engaged. The lack of a perfect speedrun taught me to embrace imperfections. It became clear to me that the beauty of the game lay in its unpredictability. The journey was no longer about simply “catching them all”, but about growing and learning through the process. This game might not have given me the ability to modify the settings, but it did remind me of how non-competitively fun Pokémon can be.
Save.
June 6, 2024
Continue.
As I approach the final gym, I reflect on my journey so far. The battles, the friendships, and the countless hours of training have all led to this moment. The anticipation of what lies ahead fuels my determination. I have prepared myself as much as I could. I will battle the last gym leader tomorrow. Then, I face Champion Aaron.
Save.