Is Pokemon really that deep?

Okay, I've never actually played a Pokemon game for more than 4-6 hours or so. :o

Shocker, amirite?

Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up a 3DS once a few more games come out for it, and with it either Pokemon White or Pokemon Black (some other stuff too).

There must be *something* to these games that make them so popular and system sellers, in some cases.

What exactly is it? I hear almost nothing but just how insane "building your team" (wtf?) is, and that the games have become very complex.

I'm not attempting to hate on Pokemon, I'm genuinely curious as to just how complex and in-depth these games really are, and whether they're actually fun or not.

If you are serious about building a winning team for multiplayer, then the game is insanley deep, what with stats, natures, stat effects, abilities and so on.

So, yes, it's that deep, if you want it to be.

You can blow right through the game just by sheer force and picking a few top-tier Pokemon but when you start delving into the competitive level, the game gets very deep.

Like others have said, if you're aiming to be competitive in multiplayer, it's not only addiciting, but also IMMENSELY time-consuming. Dozens of hours will be eaten up.

However, if all you're looking for is an enjoyable single player experience, that is also possible. Pokemon is almost a do-it-yourself RPG, in that just about any combination of critters can carry you to success. Just play favorites with the little buggers and you'll have a blast.

I always do, and I've played every Pokemon game at least twice.

Edit: Just to help clarify, when people talk of building teams, they mean IV and EV training. Think of these terms as the supposed random numbers incorporated into leveling and attribute growth. The true competitors have devised methods of essentially manipulating these "random" numbers to their favor. Read up on it on GameFAQs if you'd like to know more. I once did, and gave up on the prospect. It's just not worth it, IMO.

It can be a very deep game if you are interested in perfection. Like the perfect stats, moves, teams etc.trick_man01

Oh yes, especially if you wanna catch 'em all.

Okay, I've never actually played a Pokemon game for more than 4-6 hours or so. :o

Shocker, amirite?

Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up a 3DS once a few more games come out for it, and with it either Pokemon White or Pokemon Black (some other stuff too).

There must be *something* to these games that make them so popular and system sellers, in some cases.

What exactly is it? I hear almost nothing but just how insane "building your team" (wtf?) is, and that the games have become very complex.

I'm not attempting to hate on Pokemon, I'm genuinely curious as to just how complex and in-depth these games really are, and whether they're actually fun or not.

CaptainAhab13

their an engaging thing to invole yourself in there is literally something for everyone mini-game, battles, collecting in general, exploration it feels like a genuine adventure something every other rpg in recent history has failed to do time and time again pokemon gets right every single fing time despite the simplicity of its formula and its ability to rehash itself. though the advent of online handheld play has made its staying power more lasting even i msut admit this. i recommend heartgold/soulsilver over black n white simply because im not a fan of the visual style theyve taken the game despite being far mroe diverse. but idk i guess its the simple things in games that make them great not the way companies go about overcomplicating them.. super meat boy and kirby's epic yarn are two prime examples where basics = fun times not super amazing elaborate hocus pocus

Pokemon? Deep? Well you only have to do a little research on Evolutionary Values and Individual Values, and you will see what makes the MP so deep and addicting. Trying to raise a pokemon with the perfect nature by hatching thousands of eggs and getting the right egg moves is a very long, but somewhat rewarding process. Just google Smogon, there are whole tier lists and recommended move sets on that website. But it is also very fun for nostalgia as well. Aischylos10

yeah but then every other son is jsut gonna recommend you PAR which is uber lame XD

and you cant forget the heartfelt pokemon tv show! Pokemon! Gotta Catchem All!

I never got interested in playing Pokemon, so I wasn't like everyone else, when they got caught up in it. But I have friends tell me that it is not only addicting, but it can be deep when you have to figure out what all these Pokemon are, what they can or can't do, what they are good at or not good at, and so forth. So I suppose the series can be very deep in those aspects.

Depends on what you call deep. If you want to get through the game, you're fine with having a team of different elements and knowing which is effective against which. But if you want to get the best out of your team and you play against others, it can be extremly deep

Pokemon is an RPG-Lite really (not saying that's a bad thing, they're accessible)

Surely. Especially if you are the type to get really into RPGs. Beating the game isn't necessarily very difficult, but building a fantastic team for multiplayer, ensuring the right balance, and "catching them all" are integral parts of what make pokemon the game it is.

Pokemon? Deep? Well you only have to do a little research on Evolutionary Values and Individual Values, and you will see what makes the MP so deep and addicting. Trying to raise a pokemon with the perfect nature by hatching thousands of eggs and getting the right egg moves is a very long, but somewhat rewarding process. Just google Smogon, there are whole tier lists and recommended move sets on that website. But it is also very fun for nostalgia as well. Aischylos10

Okay, I've never actually played a Pokemon game for more than 4-6 hours or so. :o

Shocker, amirite?

Anyway, I'm thinking of picking up a 3DS once a few more games come out for it, and with it either Pokemon White or Pokemon Black (some other stuff too).

There must be *something* to these games that make them so popular and system sellers, in some cases.

What exactly is it? I hear almost nothing but just how insane "building your team" (wtf?) is, and that the games have become very complex.

I'm not attempting to hate on Pokemon, I'm genuinely curious as to just how complex and in-depth these games really are, and whether they're actually fun or not.

CaptainAhab13