I played a couple hours of Pokémon Emerald for my critical play analysis. Pokémon Emerald is a role-playing game developed by Game Freak and released for the Game Boy Advance. I played it on PC using an emulator. This game is suitable for players of all ages and is intended for those who enjoy elements of storytelling, exploration, and combat. The game combines exploration and embedded narrative to create an immersive experience within a fantasy world.
Central Argument
Pokémon Emerald invites players to care about the world through its combination of mechanics and narrative. The mechanics that shape the core gameplay include the capturing and training of Pokémon, which creates a bond between the player and the creatures. In addition, the overarching story of ecological preservation connects the player’s actions to the well-being of the Hoenn region. The premise of preventing Team Aqua and Team Magma from manipulating the world to suit their desires adds an important component of worldbuilding. By framing the player’s journey not only as one of personal achievement but also as a responsibility to protect the natural world, the game emotionally engages the player and gives them a sense of responsibility.
Analysis, Learning, Evidence
Catching, training, and evolving Pokémon are all mechanics that create an emotional connection between players and their Pokémon. The time I spent nurturing my Pokémon, leveling them up, healing them, and evolving them made me care more about their strength and well-being. These mechanics fostered an emotional bond between me and my Pokémon, and I felt more motivated to catch and train even more. I was even able to collect TMs to teach my Pokémon a new skill.
Beyond the bond that exists between players and their Pokémon, there is also a connection to the the entire region of Hoenn. The player’s success in Pokémon battles aligns with the exploration and preservation of the environment. Together, the Pokémon and the Hoenn region create an immersive world that captivates players.
The embedded narrative in Pokémon Emerald is driven by the game’s linear structure and environmental design. As I progressed through the story, I was introduced to key locations, challenges, and characters that propelled the plot forward. I realized that my mission was not only to become the Pokémon Champion but also to defeat Team Aqua and Team Magma, who threaten the balance of nature. The game’s formal structure—through unavoidable battles and cutscenes—guided me through a predetermined storyline. The picture below is an example of the structured storytelling, where I was directed into the Devon Corporation.
The embedded narrative also reinforced the environmental theme, making the purpose of the mechanics clear: to safeguard the Hoenn region’s environment.
Ethical Considerations of Pokémon Emerald’s Mechanics
Pokémon Emerald presents ethical concerns through its capture and battle mechanics. The game’s primary function involves players capturing wild Pokémon by forcing them into Poké Balls, essentially imprisoning them for use in battles. The ethical question arises from their imprisonment and the forced battles until they faint for the player’s goals. The act of trapping creatures in Poké Balls and using them for battles parallels real-world concerns about holding animals in captivity in places such as zoos or inhumane farms. Pokémon battles may also indirectly encourage animal fighting by normalizing it. Given these ethical concerns, it is important to remember that Pokémon is just a game, and its unethical practices should remain confined to the gameplay experience.
