Alola, PokeNerds! Straight Outta Kanto here - feeling like a Froslass caught in a Fire Blast! I am just not enjoying this dull, muggy, humid August weather. Hopefully you guys are enjoying your summer more than I am.
Out of sheer no-pub/no-holidays related boredom last night I acquiesced at last and gave Pokemon Cafe Mix an auld download there on my Nintendo Switch. I'd been initially apprehensive about the game as it is a pay-to-play aimed at a more juvenile audience. However, after playing for a while last night I thought I'd share my thoughts with you fellow nerds and see how we match up.
First off the bat, the game's unique art style is charming and utterly adorable. It's like watching a lovingly pure motion picture of the sweetest Pokemon fan art. The plot is extremely basic. You and your Eevee are hired to work at a new local cafe and "mix" food and beverages for your Pokemon clientele.
As I mentioned already, the game is aimed at a much younger audience than normal and therefore the game play itself is as basic as the plot. Utilising the touch screen mechanism of the Nintendo Switch you literally (and simply) "mix" up and match assorted Pokemon shapes and icons to complete an "order" from a customer. Mix and match the required amount of shapes and icons successfully and earn miscellaneous points, acorns and friendship values of the various 'mon customers to advance within the game.
Speaking of game advancement, I hadn't been playing even a full thirty minutes before I was brought to the Nintendo eStore to pay to continue working on an order for a kawaii Charmander... In all honesty guys, that's where I stopped playing. I'd seen enough.
This is a fun boredom breaker of a game for toddlers or older. Also, its a great little way to introduce the glory of Pokemon to whole new generation of future trainers. Unfortunately, I don't think there'd be enough engaging content to hold the attention of, or warrant the expense, for older fans of the franchise. (However, each to their own - anything that brings you joy is never wrong!)
One thing in particular about Pokemon Cafe Mix was that it did give me hope that there could feasibly be a Pokemon Ranger remake on the horizon. One thing we discuss often in the Pokemon Fan Club Ireland Facebook group is how hard it would be to replicate the game play mechanics of Pokemon Ranger on the Switch. Ranger's capture methods were based entirely around the Stylus feature of the DS, there is certainly no stylus with the Switch! We'll never see a Ranger remake... OR WILL WE!?
The game play of Pokemon Cafe Mix revolves around spinning your finger on the touch screen in a circular motion while an energy gauge fills up based on the precision and success of your finger spins. That is literally the exact identical capture method used in Pokemon Ranger!!!
Game Freak are known for testing out features and functions in smaller games before trialling them properly in main games so perhaps... Cafe Mix is their way of seeing how a Pokemon Ranger remake could be adapted to the Switch!?
We live in hope... And you heard it here first! ;)
Tell Straight Outta Kanto what you think on:
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Join the Pokemon Fan Club Ireland Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1623889321229114/
Listen to the Straight Outta Kanto Podcast Radio Show https://open.spotify.com/show/0FRul8v6Xpy8JFD8clhlok?si=-f1uecxqT5erPBqigRIALg and the music of Venus de Vilo https://open.spotify.com/artist/7hSAeNpNk7ydf8lgE93sHn on Spotify.
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