Pokemon Yellow: Curse You, Snorlax

*~~//SPOILER ALERT\\~~*
I will potentially cover topics in this post that will expose the plot of Pokemon Yellow. You have been warned.

(You'll notice that I've been posting the day after I say I will lately...I'll bet you hate me.)
The more I play this game, the more my childhood memories and alligator tears seem to resurface. (I copy this down from a draft made in a lazy History class, so in advance, don't judge me.)

Anyway, say hello again to my newly-edited team:
Pikachu - L23
Drowsee - L23
Wartortle - L24
Ivysaur - L24
Charmeleon - L24
Fearow - L25

Today I'm going to explore Pokemon Yellow's gaming performance outside of battle. I love Pokemon Yellow, and the first generation of Pokemon, for an entirely different reason than I do any of the others. This game is funny. Unfortunately, it has little room to show it or allow much graphic movement amid the actual characters beyond walking and the little emoticon bubbles that pop up above their heads. Why, then is the game funny? Bear with me here, as I'm about to become repetitive for a moment.
Allow me to use two specific example characters: Professor Oak and your opponent trainers.
As just a small history lesson, Professor oak is a researcher who gives you your first Pokemon in the game, for those who don't know. Anyway, Professor Oak didn't mean anything to me as a child but an old man who provides your adventure and who also lets loose his douchebag of a grandson, Blue, into the world with a Pokemon. After playing now, I find him very...animated. Now, this is Professor Oak in the first generation:

Not very animated-looking, eh? Just looks like an old man in a white coat, doesn't he? Here, let me show you the the conversation you and he exchange as he is giving you your Pokedex:

Oak: Ah, (insert player name)! How is my old Pokemon? Well, it seems to like you a lot. You must be talented as a Pokemon trainer!
...
On the desk here is my invention, Pokedex! It automatically records data on Pokemon you've seen or caught! It's a high-tech encyclopedia! (Player name) and Blue, take these with you! To make a complete guide on all the Pokemon in the world...that was my dream! But, I'm too old! I can't do it! So, I want you two to fulfill my dream for me! Get moving, you two! This is a great undertaking in Pokemon history!

Count those exclamation marks...no, actually, don't - I've already done it for you. There are twelve. Professor Oak is an enthusiastic old man. You can't argue with me; and that personally amuses me, to listen to him throughout the game.
Now, what about those trainers? Oh, they're just as fun to listen to. Those of you who play Pokemon know that if you catch a trainer's eye, you will be plunged into battle. Well, ever since the first generation, trainers always have a pre-statement to engage battle, per say, and a followup statement after being defeated. Trainers in Yellow have some...interesting things to say as they approach you. Here are just a few:

"Hi! I like shorts! They're comfy and easy to wear!" - Youngster (Route 3)
"Eek! You touched me!" - Lass (Route 3)
"Hi! My boyfriend is cool!" - Lass (Route 24)

"Hey, you're not wearing shorts!" - Youngster (Route 9)
"Give...me...your...soul..." - Channeler (Pokemon Tower)

There are many more little snippits that they throw at you, too. People picking fights with me would potentially creep me out with warcries like that...I dunno about you guys, but it always made me laugh and raise an eyebrow to see what people have to say to you, especially Youngsters and their obsessions with shorts.

Now, let me stop my mocking of the social community in the Kanto region long enough to talk for a moment about its landscape. I just completed the Vermillion City section of the map, having earned my third gym badge and gaining access to the Hidden Move Cut. My next destination is Lavender Town, northeast from Vermillion. Many of you know, however, that the way is blocked by a 'giant sleeping Pokemon', aka Snorlax. This forces me to go around my thumb to get to my foot, by way of a really, really annoying Dark Cave. It got me thinking, though - Kanto is big, but its cities are well connected. Why do I say that? Well, there are small sectors that connect routes to cities throughout Kanto. Here's a visual example, since I'm bad at describing:

You could easily roam the entire land mass of Kanto through these sectors. Why take the Dark Cave, the long way, to Lavender Town, then? Well...siding with Snorlax being in the way, this is another inconvenience - your sectors are guarded, and the guards that allow you access to all of Kanto are thirsty, so you cannot currently pass (tragic, ain't it?) THAT is why you must use Dark Cave. Regardless of its frustration, however, Snorlax and the thirsty guards help you as a player to stay on track. If you were allowed access to anywhere, you could easily be jumped by trainers/enemies/gym leaders who are far more powerful than you, and as an inexperienced Pokemon player, someone might lose...all the time. A lost battle not only warps you to a Pokemon Center, but it also costs you money, so losing all the time could get you into some great trouble. I therefore commend the game's irritation in making you actually follow through each city like they want you to.

Well, that's all I have to say about today. Join me again this week as I delve into Pokemon Yellow's music element.
Bye!

- Cheryl-Buddy