My favourite game: Pokemon Nintendo DS
From the player’s perspective,I gravitated towards the Pokemon Nintendo game because of 4 main aesthetic points; narrative, fantasy, discovery and competition. Before I even started playing Pokemon on my Nintendo DS, I had been a massive fan of the Pokemon anime series from 8-10. This allowed me to submerge myself in the narrative of the game entirely.
In terms of the mechanics of the game,
Nostalgia and familiarity: The familiar structure of the games, combined with the continuous introduction of new Pokemon and regions, strikes a balance between nostalgic charm and fresh excitement.
Levelling up and evolution: As Pokemon gain experience through battles and training, they level up, grow more robust, and can evolve into new forms, which adds an element of progression and excitement.
Exploration: The games feature large, diverse worlds to explore, with hidden items, secret areas, and various puzzles, making the journey feel adventurous.
Gym battles and Elite Four: Players must face off against powerful Gym Leaders and the Elite 4 NPCs, providing memorable challenges and a sense of accomplishment when completing the game.
Breeding: Players can breed their Pokemon to create offspring with unique move sets, abilities, and stats, adding depth to team building and competitive play.
In-game events and side quests: Pokemon games often feature special events, side quests, and mini-games that break up the main story and provide additional content for players to enjoy.