BigFreaky
What Have You Been Playing in August 2024?
- Pokémon GO
- Yakuza – Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth
- Pokémon Ultra SUN
What Are Your Thoughts?
It is nothing new that I am playing Pokémon GO. I am a day-one player. But this month, the Pokémon World Championships 2024 in Honolulu was something special, so I decided to take a trip to Hawai’i. Bookending the trip with Las Vegas, which is an adventure on its own. However, in the game itself, there were plenty of bonuses to being in Hawai’i during the Championship for Pokémon GO.
Hawai’i already has its own “regional” Pokémon named Comfey.
As well as having a few shared regional Pokémon in Corsola and Oricorio (Pa’u form)
They were appearing all over during the event! They made for great souvenirs for me and all my friends back home!
There was also particular research to finish to catch all the other forms of Oricorio and the “Scuba Pikachu” (as featured in the key art for the event). I caught SO MANY Pikachu, but on the last day, I finally caught a “Shiny” version! Shiny versions of Pokémon are alternate or different from their normal palette of colours.
Shiny Pikachu is only a slightly darker shade of yellow, so sometimes it is very hard to notice. But I would expect that of the brand mascot to not go too far off script.
Hawai’i is a beautiful place, and I now understand the appeal. Pokémon led me to take a leap and finally check it out. I got to play a lot of Pokémon GO, send special event-only gifts to friends, and catch rare Pokémon. I can’t wait to return, even if a particular event is not happening. Pokémon GO on vacation is always a lot of fun. I’ve used it as a great asset!
Yakuza – Like a Dragon : Infinite Wealth
So… I started Yakuza 8 because I thought I would get some extra insight into my upcoming Hawaii trip. But in typical “me” fashion, I played the game for about 45 minutes total over a few days, then ran out of time. I didn’t even make it to Hawaii in the game. I was with the understanding that the game would start how the trailer presented it… But alas, there was no Hawaii to be had.
I’m not mad because I didn’t even explore a lot of Hawai’i anyway, nor did I have a chance to go to Matsumoto’s Shave Ice. I’ve wanted to visit for about 20 decades, but that is a “whole ‘nother” story. But my time with this game, as well as my actual trip, was short. Both were a test run for the “future me” to enjoy.
Bonus: Pokémon Ultra SUN
Just as Yakuza didn’t see a lot of play from me, Neither did Ultra SUN. Like Yakuza, I was trying to capture a little extra “Hawai’i” flavour before I went on my trip.
Ultra SUN(and MOON) both take place in the Pokémon world in the Alola region, which, as you can guess, is based in Hawai’i. Ultra SUN/MOON is the 2nd part of Pokémon SUN/MOON, with the updated story, new tasks, Pokémon and Legendaries.
Or in the case of Alola Ultra Beasts. These two games are the last Pokémon games for the 3DS before jumping to the Nintendo Switch. Once again, just as Yakuza transpired, so will Pokémon Ultra Moon. “Future me” will get to enjoy it.
“What Are You Looking Forward to in September?”
My backlog is IMMENSE, and it’s almost added daily. I hope I can pick up Yakuza again and make some progress. I’m not sure if I’ll be able to finish it within the month, but I’m gonna shoot for the end of the year! 🙂
I’m also on a bit of a “retro” kick. But they are already games I have played before and during my lifetime!!
Of course, Pokémon GO rolls on. We’ve just been introduced to the Galar region’s “First partner Pokémon” and Max Battles. A lot will happen this month and throughout the rest of the year. I will be here.
I am also helping Greg with his Pokémon GO questions. 🙂
