Since launching a year and a half ago, the mobile game Pokémon Masters has held a variety of special events and added characters from throughout the series' 25 year history. While the game itself has an ongoing main story that follows the player traveling to the Pasio region and competing in the Pokémon Masters League alongside fan-favorite characters like Brock and Misty, it is the game's timed story and Legendary Events that really stand out.
The Pokémon franchise, understandably, tends to focus on the adorable, cool, tough and unique monsters that players get to meet, befriend and battle. However, it has also introduced plenty of fascinating human characters over the years who are overshadowed by the Pokémon themselves. While the stories told in the main series games vary in depth and quality, each generation has introduced some great characters -- from rivals to Gym Leaders to evil team members and beyond.
What made Pokémon Masters so intriguing from the time it was announced was its focus on beloved characters like original protagonist Red and Champions. Pokémon games rarely include more than brief references or cameos between generations, so the concept of characters like Steven Stone and Cynthia who originated in different regions getting to meet and interact was exciting.
Masters itself has a pretty simple story, one that doesn't leave much room for depth, nuance or complex character interactions. It's not really surprising given the game's casual mobile audience, but what is noteworthy is how some of the game's special events have actually included great interactions between characters who did interact in their own games -- conversations that fans have long wanted to witness.
One of these was the final event of 2020, "The Ideal Formula," which added Generation V's enemy-turned-friend N to the game. Black and White players will remember that, following the revelation that his entire life and world view has been shaped by his adoptive father Ghetsis' manipulation, N flies away from Unova on either Reshiram or Zekrom. He leaves the protagonist (Hilbert or Hilda) with a moving speech about following their dreams before heading out on his own journey.
N returns in Black 2 and White 2 just in time to save the new protagonist (Nate or Rosa) from Ghetsis, but by this point, the old protagonist has left Unova in search of him. Since the characters have not been seen or referenced since then, it is unknown whether or not they ever met again, but Pokémon Masters finally provided players their reunion.
During "The Ideal Formula," Hilbert learns that N is on Pasio and goes to find him. After rescuing N from the villainous Team Break, Hilbert and N finally get to have a conversation ten years in the making -- which involves Hilbert yelling at N for leaving so suddenly and without giving him a chance to respond. The moment, while light and funny, was heartwarming to those fans who have waited 10 years since the release of the first Gen V games to see the protagonist and their former rival together once again.
This isn't the only time Masters has depicted an important interaction that the main series games did not, or could not, show. From now until March 4, players can participate in the Legendary Event "Give and Take," which adds Generation VI's Professor Sycamore and Team Flare Leader Lysandre to the game.
In X and Y, Sycamore and Lysandre are initially friends, with Lysandre being the Professor's former student. Lysandre later reveals he is in charge of Team Flare and, fearing the loss of the world's beauty due to scarcity and greed, seeks to destroy most of the world's life. After the player defeats him, Sycamore apologizes for not doing more to prevent his villainous turn in the first place. He says that, while he'd had high hopes for Lysandre and his passion, he feels guilty for never voicing his concerns regarding Lysandre's extreme viewpoints.
Masters finally gives Sycamore the chance to have this conversation with his old friend. After hearing rumors of the Legendary Pokémon Xerneas residing on Pasio, Sycamore, the player and the Gen VI protagonists Calem and Serena set out to find it. They encounter Lysandre, who has obtained Xerneas' foil, Yveltal, and plans to destroy Pasio and prevent the Life Pokémon from granting immortality to anyone.
Here, Sycamore finally confronts Lysandre, reminding him that, while his means are cruel and unjustifiable, his goal of making the world a better place is noble and worth working towards. While neither is able to convince the other to back down from their convictions, they come to an understanding. Lysandre even calls Sycamore "old friend" as he leaves.
This moment is, of course, not canon in terms of the main series games. It's not even clear how it could take place given that X and Y ends with Lysandre activating the Ultimate Weapon and being buried under rubble, possibly being killed or made immortal depending on which Legendary Pokémon's energy he used to power the machine. Masters doesn't try to answer this question -- but it doesn't have to. In the end, these conversations are nice bits of fan service that acknowledge that Pokémon is beloved for more than just its creatures.