Even If They’re Too Easy, Pokémon Games Are Better with Exp.

The changes made to Pokémon’s Exp. Share mechanics have resulted in easier gameplay, which has been a subject of controversy among fans. However, these changes have ultimately been beneficial for the franchise. By comparing new and old games, it becomes clear that the new Exp. Share mechanics are an improvement over the old ones. The reasons for this can be understood by looking back at the classic games.

Traditionally, Exp. Share was a held item that allowed a Pokémon to gain experience points from battles without participating directly. Starting from Pokémon X and Y, Exp. Share was transformed into a key item that spread experience to every Pokémon in the party, resulting in easier leveling up. In newer titles such as Pokémon BDSP, the Exp. Share’s effects are built into the game mechanics without requiring the item itself, making party experience gain permanent.

In the early generations of Pokémon games, players had to train their Pokémon individually, with the original Exp. Share providing some assistance. This process was time-consuming, particularly when a weaker Pokémon, like Magikarp, that lacked strong moves, needed to be leveled up. Players had to use the “switch-out” tactic, which was repetitive and unstimulating, contributing to the early games’ lack of success.

The redesigned Exp. Share mechanics introduced in Pokémon X and Y have minimized the need for grinding. Pokémon now gain experience without being actively used in battle, albeit at a slower pace. While some criticize the ease with which players can create a battle-ready party, many acknowledge that the game’s flow has improved, and there are fewer obstacles for players. This improvement justifies the reduced difficulty, although recent Pokémon games remain challenging.

Ironically, the revamped Exp. Share mechanic in Pokémon is not as innovative as it initially appears. In the original Pokémon Red and Blue, the Exp. All item functioned as a version of the Exp. Share, making the item’s eventual alteration more of a callback than a novel concept. It remains a mystery as to why the benefits of the Exp. All took so long to resurface in the series. Nevertheless, the experience rework has considerably simplified Pokémon training, originating from what could have been one of the franchise’s forgotten early details.

While some may argue that Pokémon has become too easy, the training process has become far less monotonous as a result. Players no longer have to employ a time-consuming and repetitive tactic to level up their weaker Pokémon, allowing them to concentrate more on enjoyable battles. Although Exp. Share has led to a decrease in the difficulty of Pokémon games, this is a reasonable exchange for eliminating the most tedious aspect of the earlier titles.