Should Pokémon Games Add a Hard Mode?

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Pokémon games have become known as beginner-friendly JRPGs, making them accessible for many newcomers to gaming on Switch. However, some seasoned players seek a greater degree of difficulty. Although multiplayer battles offer an additional layer of complexity, it doesn’t necessarily mean the single-player experience should be devoid of challenges.

A significant number of players have come to understand that Game Freak is unlikely to make the series overly challenging; however, many do hope they would incorporate a Hard Mode as an option. This seems fitting for those who crave a tougher experience, and The Pokémon Company is aware that older gamers enjoy playing these games.

Players have been expressing a desire for increased challenge in Pokémon games, stating that the non-player characters (NPCs) are relatively simple to defeat. Given that the game’s combat system is based on a rock-paper-scissors concept using elements, this makes battles against artificial intelligence (AI) somewhat straightforward. While the difficulty can ramp up as the game advances, it’s not much of a challenge for players who engage in training their Pokémon extensively.

It can be disappointing that some of these battles are too simple for dedicated fans, as they’ve likely become proficient in the game mechanics and remember which characters have the highest stats. While younger players and novice fans may find these games challenging enough, veteran gamers who’ve been honing their skills for competitions seek a greater degree of difficulty.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always yearned for a challenging mode in the Pokémon games, but with the upcoming release of Pokémon Champions, that craving might not be as pressing anymore. This game is designed with competitive play at its core, so it seems like hardcore players will likely immerse themselves in this aspect. Given this focus, perhaps we won’t require a Hard Mode for single-player games after all.

Additionally, it’s important to mention that the Downloadable Content (DLC) for Pokémon Scarlet and Violet offered challenging single-player battles that resembled competitive play against other human trainers. These encounters included the intricate IV leveling that hardcore players are fond of, though they weren’t quite as intense as real-life competition. Still, they presented a decent challenge to tackle.

Ultimately, many video game enthusiasts don’t purchase Pokémon games for challenging fights; instead, they seek an enjoyable journey with lovable companion Pokémon. This is the audience that Nintendo and Game Freak primarily focus on catering to. The high sales of Scarlet and Violet on the Switch, despite some performance issues, can be attributed to this fact.

Including a “Challenging Mode” in Pokémon games could be a great enhancement, considering the intriguing combat system in Legends: Z-A. Even though we might not expect mature content from this franchise, tougher battles could serve as a satisfying compromise for fans.

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2025-03-25 20:13