Pokemon Let’s Go Makes Controversial Change to Gym Battles | Gaming

When Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Eevee are released on Nintendo Switch later this year, the games will introduce several key changes to the series. This includes new features such as Pokemon auras as well as a Pokemon's ability to earn experience points during the catching phase. While these features have gone down well with fans, a newly revealed tweak may divide the playerbase.

The official Pokemon Let's Go website has now been updated, confirming that the game's Gyms will have requirements. Unlike previous games in the series, which have merely hinted at which Pokemon types players should use to get through the Gym successfully, players will have to clear requirements before being able to enter.

In a screenshot of this Gym requirement mechanic, translated by Siliconera, the guide at the Pewter Gym asks players to show him either a Grass or Water-type Pokemon before entering. The publication explains that other requirements for entering the game's Gyms may include Pokemon types, Pokemon levels, and more.

The new feature has been praised by some who say that the feature will be a good way to ease brand new Pokemon fans into the franchise. As Pokemon Let's Go has integration with Pokemon GO, many players of the upcoming Nintendo Switch title may have never played a main Pokemon game before. So these requirements, which will force players to properly prepare for a Gym before being allowed to enter, may make Gym battles a less frustrating time for players who don't know what to do.

But the feature has been criticized by a few longstanding Pokemon fans who say that these requirements work as restraints for players who already know what they're doing. If a Gym is set in a mining town surrounding by Rock-type Pokemon then players already know that the ideal Pokemon for beating that Gym will be a full team of Water-type Pokemon, for example. For the especially hardcore players who like to take on Gyms with ridiculous team compositions or pulling off impressive feats like the permadeath Rattata run, the requirements will prevent them from doing that.

The Gym requirements aren't the only requirements that fans have raised eyebrows at. Some were also concerned by the news that Pokemon Let's Go will require the use of motion controls, which may be uncomfortable for those used to a totally stationary method of playing. The challenge now for the Pokemon Let's Go development team is proving that all of these new features stand to improve the game rather than negatively shake it up.

Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu and Pokemon Let's Go Eevee release on November 16 exclusively on the Nintendo Switch.

Source: Pokemon (via Siliconera)