Pokémon Go Tour: Johto

Because I've noted previously that Pokémon Go Tour this year fell on a particularly personally special day, even if only in some ways, I couldn't cover it back then, especially with other pertinent Pokémon things that came up. Now that the month has turned (and the season has changed), I can cover it - and it's best to do so as soon as possible anyway while it's still fresh. Much like last year, it also has many fine points that also serve to be detailed, some similar and others different from last time.

For this second edition of the event from last year, it is more or less a continuation, this time with the next region in line, Johto. Likewise, from 9 AM to 9 PM, there were five hourly "zones" - now properly called "habitats" - repeated twice corresponding to the region's locales (New Bark Town, Violet City, National Park, Goldenrod City, and Mt. Silver) plus the all-in-one period at the end. Each "habitat" had a Collection Challenge, and the task is to capture Pokémon from the region - which rewarded more Candy - to complete them. The version selection decided the capture challenge (of Pokémon exclusive to a version from Incense) and the trade challenge (for those of the other version). The remaining Collection Challenges were more or less the same, with Raid, Evolution, and Special challenges, the last of these containing Pokémon from Research and other means.

Research was also different this year, thanks to branched paths that were introduced last year. Timed Research featured an 11-page battle challenge with featured NPC Trainers and the team leader (after which one can choose to continue battling or to focus on catching) available to all, as well as a unique snapshot challenge with the three beasts (Raikou, Entei, and Suicune). Special Research featured the Starter Pokémon selection as well as the rest of the Pokémon to be captured, including a Celebi with Magical Leaf; completing it, also necessary for the Collection Challenges, rewarded the "Masterwork Research" set that allows Trainers to catch the superpowered Apex Shadow versions of Lugia and Ho-Oh, which like last year needs a long time to get to.

Meanwhile, raids featured a number of characteristic Pokémon, including Unown U as Level 1, Corsola and Heracross (the two regional Pokémon) as Level 3, and the three beasts and two birds as Level 5 Legendary Raids, all successively and quickly appearing. They can be raided on location with up to 9 free passes or remotely with 3 complimentary remote passes, for those participating. Uniquely, the three beasts in a major twist could also appear in the wild, possibly Shiny and with random stats, if one was lucky - but one also had to take a snapshot of them (to complete the Timed Research anyhow) to have any viable chance of capturing them, else they (are more likely to) run away like they do in the old games. 

Other niceties and unique things of this year included the return of Shiny Smeargle from snapshots (again if one was lucky, from the New Pokémon Snap event), Espeon and Umbreon available to evolve from Eevee as a Buddy Pokémon without walking (from last year's Community Day, though with Last Resort as a Charged Move this time), unique pieces of music, and specific Pokémon in 2 km and 7 km Eggs for all, as well as assorted Unown from Incense, Egg hatch bonuses, and new commemorative stickers for those who pay and participate. It might seem a lot to take in, especially for paying participants... and it is, though this has to be discussed shortly.

Unlike last year, which was more festive with lots of friends, this year I had barely a few to work and play with. I spent most of the early part of the day by myself and the later part with a friend I knew very well. Also unlike last year, all the Collection Challenges needed to be completed then and there on that day, which also meant completing the main Special Research set and Timed Research - all of which I did, fortunately, also with a few scattered raids. Unfortunately, I did not capture many Shiny Pokémon, and even after an actual "neighborhood tour" along with that friend, I still did not have many Shiny Pokémon from the day's efforts. The experience was there, but it didn't seem to match the effort nor the expense. Everything, including the bonuses, also felt rather much and overwhelming for one day.

And that seems to be the goof-up. While it wasn't like last year's "Go Tour for everyone" mishap, the time crunch from the Research and Collection Challenges above is unlike last year's more lax progression; it would probably have benefited to stretch their completion periods to the next day along with Go Tour Live and Pokémon Day. Some of my friends also forgot to evolve Eevee to Espeon in the day or couldn't raid for any Legendary Pokémon, much less encounter the three beasts in the wild, screwing themselves up; this almost happened for others, including me, most likely due to immenseness of it all. Then there is the dismal Shiny rate as above, which was also the case for many people, some of which have made a petition calling for the event to be redone. It may or may not happen, but it's certain I'm not the only one who feels the same way.

It seems Trainers had to have patience with this year's edition of Pokémon Go Tour because of the above and everything that happened, like I did when I had to delay this write-up. It's still a fine celebratory event in many ways, though it could and should have been as light and breezy as last year... or even Hoppip and its kin floating around in the air. Wherever the winds blow to take them, particularly for future Go Tours, hopefully they have to lead to a nice and improved experience.

One year ago: Make It Make...: Pokémon Presents, 2/26/2021

Two years ago: Making Game Journeys... Literally

Three years ago: Winds of Changing Teams

Four years ago: Pikachu Cable Holder

Five years ago: Love My Life - Pokémon Too