Last time, I decide my avatar has too much of her own personality to be me and decide to try playing this under pacifist rules for her.

Ah, and only a few restarts to get a female, excellent. I’m also going to try to get all female pokemon this game.

And dammit I just clicked through the next few bits because I’m stupid.

Pinkie noted I wasn’t giving my pokemon a nickname and claimed grass-starter. Alt-me in his blue claimed Froakie and said something serious. Trevor said that he had something that would help me connect to pokemon on a deeper level and right as I wondered about translators he pulls out a pokedex.

Um, so you see…The Pokedex I just gave you is a high-tech device that automatically records the Pokemon you encounter!

Which does leave the question of where it gets the rest of the data up in the air.

The reason you get one is because the professor wants us to go on a journey with our Pokemon and complete the Pokedex. To put it another way, it’s an important mission from the professor. I’m sure of it!

Ah, the sweet innocence of youth, when it isn’t obvious he’s just using them as unpaid labor.

On the brighter side, we don’t know if there’s some plot about why he wants the pokedex completed right now. Maybe it is important!

Oh lighten up, Trevs! says orange box. You’re way too serious sometimes! Um, Lady S…Please take this with you, too. It’s a letter from the professor. He said you should give it to your mom. Serena dutifully puts it away without so much as a glance at the content.

All right! We’re done with our errand for the professor, he continues. I guess Trevs and I will go look for Pokemon! Let’s go, Trevs! And off the two run.

Alt-self:In Kalos, kids are chosen to carry a Pokedex and go on an adventure.

That’s a really weird statement. I mean, is this a thing about all Kalos kids? Did I move here from another region entirely? And if it’s all kids, why was it just you five at the moment?

But you need to give that letter to your mom before any of that.

And the cutscene’s done. Talking to them voluntarily has Alt-me explaining that now I can battle wild pokemon and Pinkie is just thrilled to think she can play with her chespin and sure her journey will be fun.

Well, speaking of pokedexes, let’s see what my fennekin’s is.

Eating a twig fills it with energy, and its roomy ears give vent to air hotter than 390 degrees Fahrenheit. So pokemon continue to violate mass/energy rules.

Continuing to explore, someone gives me a free potion! Then I go into the store and find it only sells potions. Weird. Another customer informs me the pokecenter next city will heal my pokemon, I guess in case anyone got worried and thought they’d have to use potions only.

Aw, when my character talks to little kids she kneels down. Little kid tells me that potions are for hurt pokemon. Well, “weakened”.

Outside, someone informs me If you want to become more fashionable, you might want to go to Santalune City! I’ve been buying the newest fashions at the boutique in Santalune City.

Actually I’d like her to be less fashionable, but I can presumably accomplish that there too.

Another building appears to be for healing. The person behind the counter tells me earnistly that How can we humans possibly feel well when our Pokemon aren’t feeling well? I’m glad that’s a concern, but it is a bit weird of an attitude since surely the pokemon not feeling well is reason in itself? Anyway, they continue with Come see me anytime your Pokemon aren’t doing well. I’ll take care of them!

There’s a note saying a photo spot is under construction, so I guess there’ll be something here later. It’s already quite nice – beautiful water with some shadow-tree reflections, and the wind blowing a shine through the grass…

And a trainer tips:

Pokemon gain Experience Points and grow stronger by battling.

Which is why in its way this is better than a nuzlocke run. You can always farm experience until you’ll win no matter what.

The town is apparently Aquacorde Town: Water and civilization in harmony.

The last building has a pokeball sign on it. And apparently they only sell pokeballs. It’s like they got some really vicious feedback on the idea of combining pokecenters and marts and are now splitting up everything.

One woman in there just really likes bags and explains they autosort. I really hope PCs take items again, though.

A little blonde girl informs me that Pokemon you catch in a Poke Ball become your friends!

Another caveat – throw a pokeball before the start of any fight with a wild pokemon. If they just want to join me, that’ll be their chance. I therefore buy all the pokeballs I can carry, and get a premier ball for doing so, so those are still around too it seems.

Trying to leave prompts a nearby hiker (of course a hiker) to intervene saying I need to go home first.

Trying to do that prompts Pinkie to run over. Lady S, wait! You’re gonna be my opponent in my Pokemon-battling debut! She does a spin, then goes into spikey box mode: OK, Li’l Chespin! It’s our first battle! Let’s win it with style!

Not very likely given these starters actually start with elemental moves. Also, as I said I played to this point before and it’s possible to lose but only if you really work at it. AI is dumb.

…the battle screen has us scroll up her bare legs. WHY. At least her pose is okay, she looks like she’s actually going to battle me.

And hey, her pokemon’s a girl too!

Well, let’s end it quick. Two embers and victory is mine. Fennekin levels up.

HP 19 to 21
Attack 10 to 11
Defense 9 to 11
Special attack 11 to 12
Special defense 12 to 13
Speed 10 to 11

Hey! I wasn’t done watching my cute Li’l Chespin yet! she says. Is this going to be her hat, as incompetence was Bianca’s? Because cuteness mattering more than competence is not endearing.

Serena looks thrilled at her victory, though. Good for her.

You’re amazing, Lady S!

Hm, you know what’d be interesting? If the characters upgraded your nickname willingly based on how awesome you were over time. So you start off with a dumb one and work your way up.

Here! Let me fix up your Pokemon. And another musical note. Say hi to your mom for me! And musical note. You are a very uninspiring rival.

Well, time to go back.

Oh! I should read the letter first.

…seems I can’t, it’s sealed. I just get the item description:

A letter that Professor Sycamore wrote to your mother. A faint but pleasant perfume seems to cling to the paper.

…

I don’t think I should be delivering this.

But no helping it, it’s the only option.

Entering, Mom comes over immediately.

So! What did you and the neighbor kids end up doing? Wait one second, Serena! Is that a Poke Ball you have there? You got your very own Pokemon? Lucky you! How about that? You’re a Pokemon Trainer now, too! Congratulations! Huh? A letter for me? It says it’s from somebody named Sycamoe. What could it be? A love letter?

I’m starting to wonder if the dad’s not around and only mentioned in relation to an item because her parents are divorced.

… … …

Indeed.

Wow, what lovely handwriting…

… … … right back.

Hmm? What do we have here? A request… Oh, I see! Serena! We’re barely unpacked, and all kinds of exciting things are happening! OK! Let’s get you and Fennekin ready for your journey!

She runs up to my room and quickly returns. Here you are, Serena. I even packed a change of clothes.

So can I finally change?

My, what an unexpected turn of events! It’s just like a sudden last burst of speed from a racer in a Rhyhorn race! You made friends! You met your Pokemon! And now you get to take a lap around Kalos! Oh, and don’t forget this!

I now have a town map.

You know how to use a Town Map, right?

The arrow here is on No.

…but I do.

That’s my girl! Select the Town Map from your Bag whenever you want to use it!

…that was much less painful than in the previous games. Things are looking up.

I don’t know what this Professor Sycamore wants you to see on your trip… But taking a journey with your Pokemon is a really wonderful experience.

I head out and the rhyhorn has woken up! Aw, maybe it wants to play!

Ha ha ha! What a card! I guess Rhyhorn just wanted to give you a big send-off for your journey! Well, it has known you since you were born, after all!

So, rhyhorn definitely live well over a decade. No word if they’ve got human lifespans, but at least they’re doing better than large dogs.

Good luck, Serena! Go for broke! And don’t worry! You’ll have Pokemon by your side, so you’ll be fine!

Also, I can climb on the rhyhorn’s back and ride around a bit! Awesome.

But it reminds me the current outfit has some problems.

I head back inside, where Mom shares anecdotes from her rhyhorn races. Quite nice. But facing the mirror again doesn’t do anything, my outfit remains the same.

Well, time to begin the actual game.

Arg, the hiker’s still stopping me!

Hey, Pokemon Trainer! If you set foot in the tall grass, a wild Pokemon will pop out!

A bit exaggerated, that.

But you’ll be fine, because your Pokemon partner will battle for you!

…uh-huh.

On to route two, Avance Trail. And tall grass! Time for befriending!

A pidgey pops out. Dammit.

I know Black seemed pretty ambitious in doing all-new pokemon, but I really appreciated it. You could at least wait, game. Make it a surprise when the older ones first start appearing. Make us miss them so we’re happy when they appear. (Although maybe not make them only appear in the endgame, that was a bit much.)

It’s a female, so, let’s throw a pokeball.

And my first capture, without any fighting!

A common sight in forests and woods. It flaps its wings at ground level to kick up blinding sand.

…are they not writing new pokedex entries?

Next is a weedle, also female. And also something I’ve caught before. And now it’s something I caught without fighting.

Often found in forests and grasslands. It has a sharp, toxic barb of around two inches on top of its head.

Really though, what makes recatching the same pokemon tolerable is getting to hear new factoids. Factoids are half the point of the game.

And my fennekin just leveled up anyway, that’s kind of awesome. It doesn’t really make sense, but hey, rewarded for something other than beating things up! Plus we’ll finally be able to get that sweet legendary exp.

So then. I’m tired and I’m sure I’m going to be running around here for a little bit, so see you tomorrow!