Looking Back at Cycling Roads

The discussion about the beta version for the third-generation games also prompts me to think about a particular section unique to those games: the specifically-designated Cycling Road. Then, it also prompts thinking about similar places in other regions, whether or not they were specially designated as such. The special designation for the places certainly comes from when bicycles were a specific mode of travel between places in the main series games, one that would be fast but not as fast as just flying to places directly.

For the implementation in that region, a notable "racing" aspect was involved, in that if one traveled in a certain direction and used a specific bicycle, one would be timed for the duration one took to progress on that specific path. The "racing" aspect may or may not have appealed to some, but it might have been nice to make a mark on the aspect every so often. Regardless, the special Cycling Road was still a neat "expressway" of sorts for those who did travel using a bicycle, particularly to cut down on travel time.

Meanwhile, the first region's designated Cycling Road had a hilly aspect to it that really only facilitated speedy travel in one direction and not the other, as well as no external aspect like the above. In a way, only the "adventure" aspect was really there, and this would apply well to other places that aren't specifically designated as a Cycling Road but one could go through with a bicycle comfortably and at a certain clip. That may be just all that matters in the games as their primary focus is more on catching and battling.

Bicycles may now be considered as a "legacy" form of transport (in a way) in the games, but their influence still persists, including in the places that are specially designated as a "Cycling Road" and others that resemble them and allow for comfortable transport with bicycles as implemented in the games. In looking back at these places, a certain adventure was still to be had with them, even as an auxiliary one to the main Pokémon adventure of the games, and one with a certain speed to it.

One year ago: More on Outfit Grades in Café Remix

Two years ago: The Minuscule and Enormous Qualities of Pokémon Species

Three years ago: The Type Icons, A New Standard

Four years ago: Differing Amounts of Pokémon Knowledge

Five years ago: Pokémon Helmet Covers?

Six years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 4/13/2019

Seven years ago: Go at Home

Eight years ago: Paint It, Picross

Before Ruby and Sapphire

Almost all games of today go through a beta version of some sort, and Pokémon ones are no exception. Many years ago, I detailed the one for the second-generation games, which at that point had just come to light. The same has recently occurred for the games of the third generation some time ago, which becomes another prompt for a discussion here on this blog. It also makes this discussion somewhat late, but it's still got to be done to point out the interesting particulars of that beta version.

Like the previous one, some of the Pokémon species were pretty close to what was then finally had, but others looked very different. A notable one was an early form of what would become Blaziken, which looked more like a hawk and related to a different Pokémon. These and others in the beta were eventually retooled to the modern species families and evolution lines, as did their appearances. Of course, there were still many others that didn't make the cut - a good number - while only a few might be recognizable as similar to later Pokémon.

Meanwhile, the overworld maps had both major and drastic as well as minor and incremental changes. The latter was mostly conserved to cities and towns as well as some land routes, while the former occurred for a number of land routes and many of the sea routes. These sea routes in particular went from mostly barren to becoming more richly structured as seen in the final games. Notably, a few maps would only later on be developed for significant events like the encounters with the Titan Pokémon - also a late development.

Some miscellaneous tidbits are also pertinent. The early monikers for the versions appeared to have been "Vermilion" and "Indigo", which might have been an interesting twist. Wally, the sickly character, was also planned to have a more prominent role as a Gym Leader, albeit an up-and-coming one. Secret Bases had also been planned to be accessed differently with tools instead of the Secret Power move. Since quite a bit of the revelation was also recent, some of it also still needs to be dug through and examined even now.

Very much like the beta version for the earlier generation, a lot of things needed to be polished in the beta version for this one before they could appear fleshed out in the final version, something radically different from that. Yet much of the commonalities seem to suggest that development of the games were becoming quite standardized, in method and viewpoints. But then, that seems to be the point of most beta developments, and Pokémon going through that is only a (fine) matter of refinement.

One year ago: Making Road Runs with Pokémon

Two years ago: SA Factions: My First Four Weeks

Three years ago: How Many Pokémon for Each Role?

Four years ago: Pikachu and Bulbasaur Donuts

Five years ago: I Believe, in Love

Six years ago: (Wet and Wild) Local EX Raid, 4/12/2019

Seven years ago: Wallpaper: Pokémon 20th Anniversary

Eight years ago: Pokémon Couriers?

Themed Collections (and Secret Ones) in TCGP

As a wrap-up for the current run of discussions related to the TCGP game, I want to bring up something that's not exactly new in the game - it's been there since the get-go - but some aspects of it may be new to some, including me, making it worthwhile to be discussed. Part of the TCG experience, whether it's an electronic implementation like this or the physical one, is the effort of collecting the cards. To amp up the fun in doing so, the TCGP implementation includes a feature called Themed Collections, which has obvious and not-so-obvious aspects that contribute to that fun effort.

Themed Collections are accessed through the Missions section in a separate area... because that's what they are. The missions involve collecting certain cards from the expansions through all the usual ways, and some may even involve collecting multiple copies of specific cards. As each mission is cleared, rewards are also given; these are mostly tokens to be exchanged for emblems, but some are also Hourglasses for opening packs and making Wonder Picks, as well as profile picture icons. Pursuing the collection of certain cards for these missions may be a useful and pleasant diversion from other usual tasks in the game.

Fun also comes from an added twist in the form of Secret missions. These are hidden missions that are only revealed when the objectives (cards to collect) for them have been completed, thereby also when the missions are completed. As a result, one will need to discover them by oneself, or else by information (discreet and blatant) from those who have completed them. For example, I can give the hint that one of the Secret missions for the latest expansion requires one to collect many cards that feature a certain coin collector. Its reward is only prestigious, but it may be a nice diversion as noted.

With that, the "new" aspect would be the Secret missions, as it's likely that most players will only encounter them by happenstance, whether by unexpectedly completing them on their own or finding out about them from other players and/or friends - confer the hint above. Yet as the feature has been present since the very first expansion and continued to be present with the latest expansion, it can be expected that new expansions in the future will have their own set of missions for Themed Collections, which will preserve the feature while bringing newness and continuity with those new expansions.

It seems apparent that some new things might be in the eyes of the beholder, and the feature of Themed Collections in TCGP could be construed to demonstrate that. That would be especially the case as new expansions populate it with more card collection missions, including Secret ones that players might encounter and consider as "new" achievements. At the least, the missions that accompany the search and collection of new cards in expansions keep lending the processes a sense of newness, affirming them as a key part of the TCG experience even in this "new" form.

One year ago: Leafeon Apple Shampoo for My Needs

Two years ago: Cosplay: Pokémon Exhibition and TCG Regionals

Three years ago: Mega Evolution Fates, Again

Four years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day, 4/11/2021

Five years ago: Three Simple Rules for a Great Adventure

Six years ago: The Songs of the Detective Pikachu Trailers

Seven years ago: O Charizard

Eight years ago: Romanticism of Tall Grasses

Ranked Matches in TCGP

Modern Pokémon games have to have ways of evaluating how one fares against others in battle, which in some games would be in the form of rankings awarded through the results of successive battles. Evidently, the latest game to receive that treatment would be TCGP; an update some time ago finally added the feature for players to peruse and see how far they can get. That feature now demands to be explored to a certain capacity, even by me, who hasn't fully taken advantage of it, though just enough to understand it.

In general, though, its system is rather straightforward no matter where players might be on it. There are five rank "tiers" (Beginner, followed by the four classic capture balls from PB to Master Ball), and all of these have four levels each, with Master Ball having an extra level for players outside its top ranking, as its levels are based on player rating that is exposed at that point. The rest of the levels are based on points earned - and sometimes lost - as players go through battles while holding the ranks of these lower levels.

For that, things begin leniently at the lower levels and tiers up until one gets into the Great Ball tier, but then they get fierce and even levels and tiers may be lost if one doesn't perform well - certainly with lost battles. The key, as with ranking systems in other games, including Pokémon ones, is to win a lot of matches and preferably consecutively, as one will get more points that way in order to be able to rank up faster. Of course, this will always be the challenge, as other players will be apt to do the same, creating some snags.

As well, it should be noted that there have been other implementations of evaluating player skills in TCGP, in the form of emblems earned for winning as many matches as possible and/or doing so for consecutive matches. While these may not be associated with true ranked play as the above, the virtual "rank" is an achievement in itself - and one that may be easier to obtain in comparison. It seems that these might just continue, though they might be "deemphasized" in favor of the ranked play system now in place. 

With ranked play and the associated matches now implemented in TCGP, there is now a distinctly regular, persistent, and standardized way of evaluating player skills against those of others. The tiers and levels might be comparatively few in light of similar systems across other modern Pokémon games, but the challenge seems to be just as great - which is always the point of ranked play. And it'll have to be a challenge TCGP card players can stand up to in order to see themselves against others.

One year ago: A Song in My Heart, The Air That I Breathe

Two years ago: Tournament: SWEEP JR vs. Kingsman (SA Factions)

Three years ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 4/10/2022

Four years ago: Harkening Back to "Versus Guides"

Five years ago: Let's Get Going Today

Six years ago: Expecting the Detective

Seven years ago: Bandai Pokémon Sun & Moon Pokémon Lover Mascot 6 - Wobbuffet

Eight years ago: Evolution Revolutions?

Sneak Peeking into TCGP Wonder Picks

Next on the TCGP new affairs list is one that deals with the random selection process of Wonder Pick. Normally, it's a completely luck-based action, but through a recently started event, the luck factor has been decreased by a bit. That is accomplished through the feature or mechanism of "Sneak Peek", which by its name is a rather obvious indication: it allows one to take a look before making a pick. Yet it's not as simple as that, and the rest of the particulars make for and deserve a good bit of discussion.

The feature or mechanism itself is still pretty simple. When one commits to a Wonder Pick, the cards are taken and shuffled upside-down in preparation for it as usual. At that point, the feature can then become active; when active, the player is asked to pick one (and only one) card, and that card is temporarily exposed for the player to see. After a time, the card is hidden again and the Wonder Pick proceeds as normal. It is also worth noting that the reveal of other unpicked cards now occurs before the pick is revealed instead of after as it was initially, and the change may be for a dramatic effect for this and Wonder Pick in general.

A Sneak Peek changes things quite a bit. If a Wonder Pick has a targeted card - and I'm sure most players do have such a card in mind - one can stand to obtain that card directly if it becomes the peeked card, or from a one in four chance otherwise. Regardless, there is nothing to stop players from choosing or not choosing the peeked card or any other card, but the peeked card will surely have a bearing on the decision. Then, there are the possible Monty Hall-esque conundrums, but that's typical of certain gacha situations like these.

Some caveats are also abound. Even during the current event, not all Wonder Picks may allow for a Sneak Peek; chance will dictate whether or not one will have a Sneak Peek for a certain Wonder Peek or it will be just a normal one. And as I've said, it is an event... so the opportunity for Wonder Picks with Sneak Peeks will be a limited one for now up until the current event ends and Wonder Pick will become normal again. Given the flexibility and openness that Sneak Peeks allow for Wonder Picks, it is likely that the event will be repeated in the future, and perhaps many players (like me) will share these sentiments.

For a game with lots of random selection or gacha elements, the Sneak Peak feature or mechanism at the least offers a respite - even if only for limited periods of time - for Wonder Pick as one of those random selection elements. Though not completely foolproof in regard to setting aside luck, it might still be or already have been helpful in some ways, and thus the feature is especially deserving and welcome. There will still be quite a dependence on luck for Wonder Picks, which are now made seemingly more wondrous thanks to the feature.

One year ago: All Gym Leaders' Meetings?

Two years ago: Remote Raids: The Saga Continues

Three years ago: Quickies: Making Friends with Mud Skippers

Four years ago: The Sound of Instant Gratification

Five years ago: Pokémon Upbringings

Six years ago: Benefits

Seven years ago: Ex-Raids and Cancellations

Eight years ago: The (Current) Fate of the Megas

Shiny Pokémon in TCGP

As mentioned for the latest (mini) expansion or Themed Booster Pack for the TCGP game, Shiny Pokémon are now present in the cards within the game by way of its addition. Anyone who has dealt with them in other Pokémon games know that they're something to behold, and the same is true for them in this game as well. Yet like other games, here they also have unique aspects (novelties) that are also appropriate to be detailed on their own.

It is known that no matter the game, Shiny Pokémon tend to be exceptionally rare, and the same is true for their appearance in TCGP. So rare, in fact, that in this game, the Pokémon that correspond to the cards are assigned rarities of their own levels, being either one or two Shiny Stars; they are placed between the Star and Crown rarity tiers. These rarities are likely here to stay, as does the Pokémon for which Shiny is now available here.

Presently, only 14 Pokémon have received the Shiny treatment, comprised of several species families, although technically some of these families are composed of only one member. Some of these are mainstays from the first generation, while others are some of the most recently discovered Pokémon, and yet others are species with whom many Trainers definitely resonate with in body and soul. But that's certainly for them to discover.

Other than being characteristically of the gleaming and rare sort, there really is nothing that differentiates them from being used like regular Pokémon - much like how Shiny forms are in general. Of course, it does help if one has the complete Shiny family for posterity and other necessities (of the showing off kind), but otherwise they are still "nice-to-have" rather than "need-to-have" cards for battle and collection purposes. 

"Masterfully captivating" can be a valid description for Shiny Pokémon wherever they are concerned, and in the present case of the TCGP game, they cam be considered very much that in card form. Again, a good bit of luck may just be necessary to be able to obtain them, as with Shiny Pokémon in other games, but that contributes to the fascination that some may have for them, which continue as they are obtained here.

One year ago: Pokémon for the Sake of Pokémon?

Two years ago: Pokémon: Hisuian Snow

Three years ago: On Trainer Footwear

Four years ago: Doing Well on Pokémon Quizzes, Right Now

Five years ago: Voyager of Glory

Six years ago: You Can, I Can

Seven years ago: (Continuing the) Local Ex-Raid, 4/8/2018

Eight years ago: On the Road Again

TCGP: Welcoming the Shining Revelry

All right, so the Trading Card Game Pocket game has just added a boatload of new features and aspects, so it seems apt to take a few posts to discuss about them. The first aspect is a new Themed Booster Pack, which only seems like it wasn't too long ago that one was added, and yet now there is another. Its composition can be loosely described as a "parade" of sorts with all sorts of novelties that haven't been present in the game until now... and thus its title of "Shining Revelry" fits the bill.

By its title, it would suggest that there are Pokémon of the Shiny sort, and there are. A number of Pokémon in this Themed Booster Pack have Shiny alternates at the tail end of the card selection, and they're well-known Pokémon from the past to the present. And like Shiny Pokémon in other games, one may really have to press one's luck to get them. So gleamingly wonderful are these Pokémon that the rest of their novelties will have to be described separately, but at least they're here, importantly.

Speaking of the present, the Themed Booster Pack also contains a number of Pokémon from the ninth generation and the region of Paldea. One example is the entry of the Sprigatito family, continuing its extended popularity from certain circles of Pokémon fans. It also completes the circle of Trainers as Supporter cards with the presence of a certain superstar Trainer who is ready to bring "oomph" to Pokémon in just about every deck the Trainer appears in. So, this collection of cards will surely have its fans.

Or at least, that's the idea. Some of the new cards in this mini expansion - not of the ones mentioned above - also seem to be "rehashes" of cards from earlier expansions with regard to both technical and artistic aspects. They may or may not present themselves differently when played (the "technical" side), but the "rehash" aspect seems to be self-evident artistically in some ways. Regardless, they still remain a part of the mini expansion, and the least that one can do is to collect the cards for posterity.

Looking at the "parade" of cards that is this Themed Booster Pack, quite a few things are going on within it, all of which might appeal to certain segments of Pokémon fans from past to present. That's certainly what a "parade" is all about: a variety of different things congregating to make a wonderful run that's pleasant to see for as many people as possible. In that sense, the Shining Revelry lives up to its name as the latest spectacle in TCGP, and collecting makes one a part of the "parade".

One year ago: Pokémon Go Community Day Classic, 4/7/2024

Two years ago: Quickies: Pokémon in My Countryside

Three years ago: The Silph Arena Factions Post-Season

Four years ago: Let's Go Meet New and Old Friends

Five years ago: Leaping off Ledges

Six years ago: Scat-Poké-Land

Seven years ago: Let's Go Research

Eight years ago: Caravansary