With Pokémon Scarlet and Violet fast approaching, fans of the long-running franchise will soon be able to begin the latest Pokémon journey, one that will no doubt spark debate about the series' future. Scarlet and Violet are set to offer fans some long-requested features, but it's more than likely that the game's difficulty will not stand up to what long-time fans are hoping for -- and that's a good thing.
Pokémon has been an international success since the first games released in 1996, with every subsequent game release drawing in more young fans to the landmark franchise. As time has gone on, many of the series' once-young fans have criticized newer Pokémon games for being simplistic and lacking in challenge. While individual features, Pokémon designs, or gimmicks can become major points of contention in the Pokémon fandom, the series' lack of difficulty for enfranchised players has routinely been one of the main complaints whenever a new pair of titles is released.
Pokémon's Difficulty Makes It Great for Young Players
This conversation about making the Pokémon games more complex and difficult doesn't seem to focus on what made Red and Blue successful, or what has kept it so popular since its release: that the simple, relatively easy mechanics of Pokémon make it an ideal title for kids to play and begin learning the more complicated mechanics that the wider video game spectrum is able to offer. One of Pokémon's best features as a franchise is its accessibility to young fans and familiarity with older gamers, creating a bridge between generations of gamers.
While the popularity of games like Fortnite and Minecraft with kids proves that games don't need to be basic and simplistic to appeal to a younger audience, a shift away from the kid-friendly design of Pokémon could severely limit the broad accessibility that has made the series last for close to 30 years. While major changes to the formula may result in better experiences in the immediate aftermath, Pokémon's secret to success has been in large part due to their consistency and familiarity.
Adding Difficulty Options to Pokémon Games May Cause More Issues Than It Solves
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A solution that many look to when discussing Pokémon's difficulty is the introduction of difficulty levels, reminiscent of the Challenge Mode featured in Black 2 and White 2. Challenge Mode offered experienced fans a more difficult game, with opposing trainers having smarter AI and larger teams. Black and White 2's addition of challenge mode has helped Generation V's reputation grow, and including a feature like it could be a boost to current Pokémon titles.
However, Black and White 2 occupied a strange and unique position within the overall Pokémon franchise that allowed such features. With how consistent and demanding the current development cycle on Pokémon games is with new games releasing almost annually, the added stress of building in difficulty may take resources away from an already stretched-thin development team. Fans looking for higher difficulty might find themselves facing off against drastically over-leveled enemies and frustrating AI if there isn't enough time to craft a well-designed hard mode. Additionally, in much the same way that a difficult game like Elden Ring is justified in not providing an easy mode, games intended for a simpler, more casual gaming experience are not required to provide higher difficulty.
Whether Scarlet and Violet continue the trend of easy Pokémon games or not, the beauty of the franchise has always been in its massive, cross-generational appeal. Keeping Pokémon games easy and accessible for younger fans will ensure that the franchise will always remain a popular staple of elementary school recess, while self-imposed challenges like Nuzlocke runs can give older fans a way to engage with the series. The longevity and success of Pokémon means there's a chance of the older generations having a more difficult experience, but it shouldn't come as a sacrifice of the ideal gateway game for kids.