Vs Mode: Pokemon! Cards vs Cartridge vs App

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Welcome to the first Vs Mode post! Basically, the point of these posts is to compare different versions of a game to see which one reigns supreme. I'll look at three different aspects - Learning Curve, Enjoyment/Time, and Replay Value. In the end, I'll give my favorite, but feel free to debate and defend yours in the comments!

So, let's begin!

My own personal copies

Learning Curve
Each of the electronic games, both cartridge and app, feature a tutorial. These are given a bit differently. The serial games give it bit by bit, through the people you meet on your journey. The app's instructions are given by the three team professors. These are simple to understand, given you can read. The major difference is that, for the serial, once you finish the tutorial, you're good to play the rest of the game. The app has regular updates, which mean new content, creatures, and therefore, new instructions for these. Depending on the feature, the things you need to learn may be frustrating. But because of the all ages access of the app, they tend to be simple enough.

As for the cards, its, obviously, a bit different. The how to is on a folded paper in the deck box, provided you bought a pre-made deck. If not, you can find them online pretty easy. However, only basics are given. And you also need to learn a bit of math as you also have to learn how resistance and weakness affect your pokemon. To really get into it, you have to dig, and some information is hard to find. Like 'When exactly do you discard an energy?' and 'What is the GX tile for?' The second I can guess at, but the first, I have yet to find a clear answer for.

For me, the best learning curve goes to the serial games. While both electronic games give clear instructions, the serials give it in easy to handle pieces. And you're also not  subject to random updates that can add possible confusion.

A peek at my personal card collection and play deck

Enjoyment/Time
This is about how much you enjoy the game vs the amount of time it takes to play. For the deck game, it feels pretty balanced. One round may take from 30 minutes to an hour. Some, due to circumstances, can be done in five minutes! A best of three match can be played to extend the time if you wish. You can also get in to competitive play, which can include tournaments that take a few days. The enjoyment comes from bantering with your opponent, and, if you custom built it, your deck to the test. Then there's the icing on the cake bonus of winning. But if you don't like dealing with people, then deck play may not be for you.

A serial game can take days, sometimes months, to complete. And you still might not get or find everything. But walk throughs are available and there's no shame in using one unless your goal is aide free completion. While extended time in the universe is great, there are downsides. You may set aside a one to two hour block to play, but not make any progress. It's also easy to become bored and just not pick up your game system.

The app game is a bit different from both.There is no definite end. You can play as long or as little as you like. And updates always mean new content, creatures, and challenges, such as raids. But, the major issue is location, location, location. Cities are thriving with stops, gyms, and spawns. Rural areas are seriously lacking. This is due to developers making code that focuses on population. Players in smaller areas are easily losing interest and dropping the game.

This is a toss up, but I'm giving this one to card play, for the satisfaction of building a killer deck, winning with it, and getting to meet new people.

PokemonGo trainer selfie
Replay Value
This is kinda obvious. How much do you want to play it again? If you're highly competitive, then the cards are easy to get addicted to. Replay is as simple as shuffling your deck and setting up again. If you have friends who play or a nearby comic book and gaming shop, then you're never at a loss for opponents. If you have neither nor the means to get to them, then you're probably stuck being a collector. You can always try the app, but you'll need compatible tablet to use it.

The serial games take a while to finish. And whether or not you go back for whatever you missed is worth it is dependent on what you consider a completed game. As the base games are pretty much the same, just different creatures and end scenes, playing the next game to come out is similar to replay. However, after finishing, you might not want to go back and take the time of catching some of the same Pokemon over and over. You can avoid this with a cheap subscription to the Pokemon Bank, but it won't allow you to use them in the newest game until you have the right badge.

PokemonGo has the perfect replay set up. It's on your phone, which you probably have on you right now. In fact, you may be reading this on it. And updates keep game play fresh which keeps players coming back. But is it really replay if there is no true end? And when updates are sporadic, it's easy to be overwhelmed by information or bored with the same thing over and over. Some will resort to cheating by one method or another, but that depends on the kind of player you are.

I think the winner of this round is going to be the app game. It's always at your fingers and you can play in spurts, meaning you don't have to set aside hours a day for play. And you don't have to wait for other people and no one is going to give you grief if you're embarrassed by playing at an older age.

Final Verdict
It looks to be a tie. But honestly, my favorite method has to be card play. I'm a competitive person and I like the idea of meeting others who enjoy the same thing as I do. Plus, the cards are fun to collect and the artwork is nice to enjoy as well. And some will even gain value after a while. I'll continue to play the other versions, too. But for me, cards are the winner.

Feel free to post you reasons for what version you love!

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