Reading the Signs

Around a week and a half ago, I wrote a post on the application of some rules from a group of different games into Pokémon games. For this post, I want to discuss a specific application of those rules. The first rule from that post is "read everything", and this rule can be specifically applied to reading the signs in the main series games, one way that information in those games is presented. It's a totally relevant specific application.

One kind of key piece of information that those signs may hold are helpful hints on the workings of Pokémon in and out of battles, which most likely have the heading of "Trainer Tips". Those tips may not be as detailed as the explanations given in actual game guides, but even with not very many details, they may be helpful nonetheless. The testament to this is that "Trainer Tips" has also become the name of a YouTube channel that provides just that... although they're for Pokémon Go rather than the main series games. Yet, it is clear that whatever happens, this kind of information remains key in some way, which becomes the prompt for reading signs that contain them.

Another kind of key information is the whereabouts and details of certain places, including that of the current one. This may seem redundant considering that when moving past the boundaries of one location to another, the location names are displayed, but for the terribly forgetful lot, which can be considered to include me in some ways, reading the signs may still be helpfully necessary. The signs themselves may also contain additional remarks, which contribute to the lore of the places they indicate and thus may be entertaining to fans of Pokémon lore like me. If anything, the information is expected to be present on real-life signs, which only illustrate their helpfulness no matter what.

Aside from being informative, the signs themselves may be entertaining with the information contained on them. In the early games, the signs (plaques) on Gym statues would contain the names of Trainers who excelled at the Gym, which most likely would be the rival Trainer followed by the player Trainer if the latter has won the battle with the Gym Leader. Other than that, there may be signs with cheeky remarks that are perhaps not part of the sign themselves... just like one particular sign in the anime, though this is a bit digressing. At the least the content may incite a neat reaction.

All this discussion about signs in the main series of Pokémon games leads to the consideration that the information contained on them can be both insightful and fun. In a way, one becomes enlightened by reading them, especially considering the complexity of the games. I feel reminded about and inclined to a particular song:

I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign
Life is demanding without understanding
I saw the sign
And it opened up my eyes, I saw the sign
No one's gonna drag you up
To get into the light where you belong
But where do you belong?
-- "The Sign", Ace of Base

Well, I'm sure that in any case, one still may have to read the signs to get the full benefits, and with the consideration of what's on those signs, the adventure rule related to them from before applies full well and is quite so affirmed.

One year ago: PokéMania and WhatMania
Two years ago: Tournament: PTC18 Online Tournament 7
Three years ago: Costume Issues