Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Viridian City

Overview


Here we are at the first major city of the Kanto region!  And there is very little we can do here!

Well, that's not entirely true.  On your first visit, you'll notice that an old man is passed out in the north, preventing you from leaving the city or visiting the first Gym.  There are also strange immovable trees preventing access to certain areas of the city.  And the Poké Mart is refusing to sell any items until you deliver Oak's Parcel, which is a really weird way to conduct business.


So all that leaves is the Pokémon Academy where you can brush up on your battle tactics and status conditions, and the Pokémon Center where you can heal your wounds and trade with real life friends!


Once you return from your delivery, you can buy some elementary healing items and Balls at the Mart, but the biggest difference is that the old man (who was drunk in the Japanese version, but only napping in the American) has had his coffee and is now willing to show you how to catch a Pokémon.  He is also magically connected to an anomaly at Cinnabar Island, but I don't think that's actually part of the story.  For now, he shows you how to catch a Weedle/Rattata.


The gym is still off limits, for some reason, and it's incredibly frustrating to reach the door anyway because it is built so close to a jumpable ledge.  Kind of a strange introduction to gyms, but it encourages return visits to the city when you have a stronger team at your disposal.

Other Thoughts

- It seems like a boring city at the moment, but as seen later in the game (and in the anime and manga) a lot of craziness goes down in Viridian.

- In continuing my plea to make the games more like the anime, an introduction to Team Rocket should have been in order at the Pokémon Center (perhaps as a battle after the first time you heal).  Even some battling trainers in the academy would have been a nice addition.

- We meet Nurse Joy in the Pokémon Center, but there is no Officer Jenny counterpart yet.

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