The following is an episode of Pokémon Rose, a weekly audio series reflecting on the value and impact of Pokémon’s storytelling through the years. Find all episodes here.
How do the iconic words “I choose you” define Pokémon, and how do they inform the relationship between a player and his starter Pokémon? In this first episode of Pokémon Rose, join Dan in reflecting on how Pokémon teams subvert the typical JRPG party experience.
Dan Hughes has dabbled in everything from playwriting to religious studies to YouTube personas. He is the seriesrunner for With a Terrible Fate's "Now Loading... The Video Game Canon!" Learn more here.
With a Terrible Fate is dedicated to developing the best video game analysis anywhere, without any ads or sponsored content. If you liked what you just read, please consider supporting us by leaving a one-time tip or becoming a contributor on Patreon.
Get situated & psyched to crack Echoes of Wisdom with a wide-ranging philosophical retrospective analyzing Zelda across the series.
What can the PS5 Pro teach us about the rich, myriad relationships between evolutions in console development and innovation in storytelling?
Could storytellers like Miyazaki push players' motivations beyond crafting timelines—all the way to crafting theories of value?