If a Hard mode existed in the games from the start, would you use it?

[Sheep]

So imagine you're playing a new mainline Pokémon game, and you're greeted with something surprising: there's an option to select a "Hard" mode without needing to beat the game first! In this scenario, would you see yourself using the more difficult mode - whatever that might entail? Or would you stick with the base difficulty, at least for your playthrough? Why?

 

[nuvematown]

I'd absolutely want to give it a shot!! I wouldn't want it to be EXTREMELY hard or artificial difficulty (i.e. Radical Red) but a fun, challenging experience is always welcome in my book. USUM felt like a "hard mode" for sun and moon, in a way

 

[Dragonbunsu]

If it's well-designed (read: not riddled with the issues BW2's attempt at hard mode was) and tested, I'd be interested in trying it out, esp if it came with perks for playing on that setting. Always appreciate any means to refresh the experience really

 

[Archaic]

If it was available from the start, absolutely. Black 2 White 2's Key System was such a disappointment, since it effectively meant you couldn't play that way on Day 1. Not everyone has the time or energy to play through a game multiple times.

 

[Daren]

I'd definitely turn it on unless I'd read ahead of time that it was badly done (like actually making the game easier or being buggy or similar issues).

 

[WholesomeCryptid]

probably not, for me i play pokemon games for a more laid back experience so it wouldn't interest me personally. however i definitely would not complain about it being added as an option for other players as i know a lot of fans dislike the easiness of the games currently.

 

[Juliyet]

I'd probably stick with the normal difficulty, particularly for a first time playthrough. I still get myself handed to when playing the games as new, so a difficulty option wouldn't affect much for me.

 

[staticmoth]

i usually play normal mode for most video games, but i think for a pokemon game i'd love to try a harder diffculty from the jump!! could be fun~

 

[KOT0NE]

I'm no good at battling ... I'd probably struggle with the first route. Maybe I'd activate hard mode l8er so I can beat up early route 'mons 2 feel better about myself. Heh..... U kids would never know the effort that goes into beating a Zubat with a lv100 Chikorita.

 

[Frozen Fennec]

I feel like a Hard Mode would be fun and a nice way to challenge yourself to try out new Pokemon for teams and utilizing items more and learning how they work.

 

[BugMite]

Given how easy the Pokémon series as a whole is—especially later entries, thanks to how EXP. Share works—I think a Hard Mode is exactly what the series could use. It would be nice to be able to play a mainline Pokémon title with some challenge, without resorting to self-imposed restrictions...though it would depend on exactly how much extra challenge there is. I don't think I'd want to play anything where all Pokémon are 15+ levels higher than in regular mode, but having some higher levels and, and potentially smarter enemy AI, would be welcome, to compensate for higher player levels.

 

[silvally]

i dont really play video games to be challenged. pokemon for me is more about collecting/raising creatures than it is battling with them. but more options for playing a game is always good. id maybe try out a hardmode in pokemon if it wasnt my first playthrough

 

[NumberOneSpinelApologist]

Probably not but it depends. I could be interested in smarter opponents, them having more items etc but I would not want them to have higher levels or stats.
I always hated that sometimes in games hard mode is just: monster has more HP and hits harder and has higher level. That's boring to me. Make it react better to the players action instead.

 

[PageEmperor]

The most likely scenario would be that I would have several regular playthoughs before I do the hard mode, which is what happened with BW2.

 

[Rockapheller]

It depends on how it is integrated. For example, the hard mode in Black and White 2 is not really a hard mode so to speak. Because of the increased levels of trainers and gym leaders, you gain more experience, so you can level up your Pokémon higher than easy or normal mode, so by default it doesn't make it necessarily a harder playthrough at the end of the day.

I like some degree of difficulty but its cost shouldn't be grinding for hours as a result of that, like I always have to end up doing in any HeartGold playthrough (and honestly, that's the sole reason as to why I don't like to replay those games due to the level curve).

A balance in between where the AI optimization for battles is tougher and you are put in the corner with more tactical battle strategies by NPCs is the soft spot. If that's the goal they go for (which I doubt GameFreak would ever bother doing), then I would, but otherwise not.

 

[Thegameandwatch]

Definitely in a second run

I hope it is improved from how it was in BW2 which seemed rushed and required two copies of the game.

 

[Daenerys]

Absolutely not. I don't play Pokemon for the challenge, so having access to a hard mode wouldn't interest me in the slightest. I feel that if some players really want more of challenge in the core games, they should just set up their own rules like they do in nuzlockes and make the games harder for themselves that way.