Pokemon Director Explains Why Newer Games No Longer Have Jerk Rivals

The Pokemon games have continued evolving in a positive direction, not only by adding newer Pokemon to the mix but also with additional gameplay mechanics that make recent installments in the franchise feel like true JRPGs. This is why the upcoming Pokemon Let's Go games have garnered a mixed reaction, looking like a step-backward despite new game mechanics and an improved graphics engine.

One of the newer additions that have gotten a mixed reaction is the "friendly" rivals that have now replaced the "jerk" rivals from older titles. When asked why this was the case, series director Junichi Masuda recently told GameSpot why these in-game rivals don't tell players to smell you later.

"Also, because it's just dialogue and there's not a whole lot going on on the screen, it doesn't give as harsh of an impression even if they're jerks, I think. Now we have HD graphics and the visuals are much more impressive. If you also made him a jerk, the impression would be a lot stronger on players. Another thing, just my own personal take, is that it feels that people with those kinds of personalities these days are just not as accepted by players as they were back then."

Apparently, Masuda feels that players are no longer interested in "jerk" rivals, which won't be a popular opinion with fans. Some of the more complex characters in video games, anime, literature, and a number of other forms of media so this is a pretty backwards statement from a great gaming director.

Not helping this argument is the fact that these characters are kids and children are, if we're being honest, monsters at first. They need to be taught empathy and sympathy otherwise they will grow up to be terrible people. Having some of them be mean to the player's avatar wouldn't be unrealistic since they'll eventually learn humility.

Pokemon Sun and Moon might have a rival who's too friendly but there are other characters there who are worth exploring. Gladion from Pokemon is technically a better rival than Hau since he starts out stubborn but grows a bit. He and his sister Lillie actually have good arcs throughout the game.

Pokemon Let's Go! Pikachu and Let's Go! Eevee are coming to the Nintendo Switch on November 16.

Read:Everything You Need to Know About the Master Trainers of Pokemon Let's Go!