If you didn't know it yet, know that Pokémon Let's Go: Pikachu / Evoli is, in reality, a remake of Pokémon Blue, Red, and Yellow that laid the foundation for the series. Suddenly, the story does not move one iota: the characters are the same as in 1996, and the Kanto region has remained as it is. We therefore find all the municipalities already present, from Bourg-Palette to Céladopole via Azuria, Safrania, Lavanville or Argenta. Same thing for the quests that are identical with, for example, the story of Osselait and his mother in the Lavanville Pokémon tower, or the Council of 4 that you will have to defeat to become the supreme Pokémon master. Despite everything, there are some adjustments so that this episode is suitable for a younger audience. So, exit the Celadopolis casino which housed the lair of the infamous Giovanni of Team Rocket, the building having been replaced by a much more politically correct arcade. Unfortunately, we can no longer play slot machines thanks to which there was a way to afford new equipment, and the interaction is also non-existent with arcade terminals. We will console ourselves with the characters whose features are the same as those of the animated series, Nintendo Switch requires. A detail no doubt for the old-timers, a big highlight for the younger generations whose first contact with the license was the cartoon. While they did not appear in Pokémon Blue, Red and Yellow, Jessie, James and their Meowth will be recognizable here at first glance, especially with their special hair style. As for their reputation, it is quite catastrophic within the hierarchy of Team Rocket, where they are perceived as losers.
BACK TO THE FUTURE
There is no doubt that the fans of the first hour will roam the adventure with tears in their eyes, as the graphics and the reconstruction of Kanto are faithful to their memories. During fights, we can now observe all these animations that accompany each attack. The relationship system with its favorite Pokémon - present since Pokémon Sun and Moon - is still there, which will give you tasty bonuses during clashes, provided you stuff your critter with treats and cover it with caresses. As for the starting Pokémon, you will have no choice: it will be either Eevee or Pikachu, depending on the version you have purchased. No stress for Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle fans, the classic starters are available and quite easy to obtain, since in addition to capturing them, NPCs will be happy to give them to us as we enrich our Pokédex. Same for Eevee and Pikachu which are easy to capture, and this, from the start of the game. Moreover, from the first moments, we feel that the developers have decided to revise the difficulty of Pokémon Let's Go downwards, everything being much easier and more accessible. Eevee (our starter, in this case) is more than enough to complete the game, and if you ever have a problem, a second player can come to help you fight or hunt via the second Joy-Con. This therefore amounts to having 12 monsters in the pocket instead of 6, while the chances of capture are doubled thanks to the number of larger throws.
GO CATCH THEM ALL!
Oh yes, we forgot to tell you that catching Pokémon no longer had anything in common with the well-known method. Indeed, the operation is now done as in Pokémon GO. When a target appears, just send the Poké Ball to the center of a circle while respecting the timing to hit the mark. Gone are the days of engaging in combat, weakening the target, then bombarding it with Poké Balls. Impossible, suddenly, to fight against a wild Pokémon, each encounter opening the hunting interface. Each capture allows us to earn XP, and out of fights against other trainers, this is the only way to advance our team; probably the game's biggest flaw, which is even more obvious once you've defeated all of Kanto's trainers. Suffice to say that in the end game, with 151 Pokémon in total (plus the Aloha variants), we will be bored. Indeed, the excitement of the hunt tends to quickly run out of steam, especially when we catch our 35th Pikachu, all to recover a handful of XP. As always, it will be better to do the Council of 4 in a loop to accumulate XP, which is a more dynamic solution, but above all viable. Yes, at the end of the game and with all the trainers on the ground, there is no longer any way to fill your wallet and thus finance the Poké Balls necessary to gain experience. In short, you have understood, the old system was much more fun. The interactions with Pokémon GO do not stop there, because we can also recover the monsters caught via the application through the GO Park which replaces the Safari Park (where you could once find rare species).
It is therefore in nomadic mode that the experience is the most satisfactory, while the stick or the gyroscopic capacities of the machine will be used to capture Pokémon.
However, be aware that it will always be possible to keep busy with the online multiplayer and the mega-evolutions which are always available to spice up the fights. Overall, the appeal of the game remains the main adventure which is an excellent remake of the original games. The graphics are attractive, whether in portable or TV mode, despite some serious slowdowns in the Jade Forest). The game works well, without bugs and we must mention the soundtrack which has been totally re-orchestrated while remaining hyper faithful to the 8bit melodies that rocked our youth. On the other hand, we are more mixed with regard to the options, because once on the dock, we can only play with a Joy-Con (motion gaming style) or via the Poké-Ball Plus. It is therefore in nomadic mode that the experience is the most satisfying, with the stick or the gyroscopic capacities of the Nintendo Switch to capture Pokémon. Regarding the Poké-Ball Plus, know that if the fans will go for this accessory, it is largely dispensable. Containing a Pokémon (Mew by default), this peripheral can accommodate any member of your stable, knowing that the latter will gain in loyalty as you walk around with the object on you (depending on the number of steps, we conceived). In playing condition, the sphere is quite impractical, especially if you have large hands, although it is particularly well finished. The clickable side is sheathed in a non-slip material, and the peripheral vibrates and emits different sounds when you finally capture a Pokémon. Unfortunately, the short stick and the fact that you constantly have to click on it (it replaces the A button) is not the most ergonomic.
