Summary
Pokemon GOhas a history of being a bridge between the main series and spin-off titles in thePokemonfranchise, incorporating features from the mainline games but throwing its own twist on them. Given the location-centric gameplay ofPokemon GO, some main series features translate better than others, and while the core concept of catching and collecting mons has always been at the game’s heart, other features like battling feel more stripped down. However, one feature taken from the main series' Gen 6 and Gen 7 games feels like a match made in heaven forPokemon GO.
The Blaze New Trails event forPokemon GOintroduced the new Routes feature that allows players to document walking routes that others can follow, creating a new form of community collaboration within an already collaborative game. As part of this event,Pokemon GOintroduced the Gen 6 legendary Zygardeto the game, incorporating the Zygarde Cell collecting mechanic along with it. With Zygarde Cells added as a new collectible in the mobile title, players are able to relive one of Gen 7’s most unique mechanics that hasn’t appeared in a mainline game since.
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Pokemon GO’s Zygarde Mechanics Are a Great Nod to the Gen 6 and Gen 7 Era
Zygarde was introduced inPokemon X and Yas the games' third legendary in the trio with the box art mascots of Xerneas and Yveltal. While many players expected a third Gen 6 game staring this mon, aPokemon Zgame never happened and the Dragon/Ground type never got its chance to shine like the other legendaries in its trio. Instead, Gen 7’sPokemon Sun and Moonmade up for the lack of Zygarde attention in Gen 6 with a new mechanic that involved collectionZygarde Cellshidden in various places around the Alola Region.
Kalos' Dexio and Sina givePokemon Sun and Moonplayers theZygarde Cubeearly in the games and tasked them with collecting these Zygarde Cells as they travel around the region. Depending on how many of its Cells the player has, Zygarde can take on one of three formes: 10% Form, 50% Form, and Complete Form once all Cells are obtained. Hunting down all of these Cells can be quite a challenge in the Gen 7 games, but it is well worth the player’s time to do so, as Zygarde Complete Form is an incredibly powerful monster.
With Zygarde’s appearance inPokemon Sun and Moonfocusing on travel and exploration to collect all of its Cells, it was the perfect choice forPokemon GOto pair with the introduction of its Routes feature. Players who useRoutes inPokemon GOhave the chance to find Zygarde Cells as they travel, mirroring the way in which Zygarde Cells are obtained in the Gen 7 games. The implementation of this feature is a great demonstration of howPokemon GOcan incorporate elements from the main series and have them feel like a natural fit for the mobile title despite originating in a core entry.
It’s a shame that Zygarde never got the chance to star in aPokemon Zduring the Gen 6 era, but the ways in which it has been represented in games since has helped make up for this slight. As a game that emphasizes getting out an exploring, having players collect Zygarde Cells as they travel along Routes seems like the perfect way to make the most ofPokemon GO’s core identity as a game. There aren’t many features in the main series games that translate so nicely toPokemon GO, but this method of collecting Zygarde Cells is an excellent homage to the Gen 6 and Gen 7 games.
Pokemon GOis available for mobile devices.
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