Oh, how I love a good Pokemon cave. I have written about my distaste for modern caves in Pokemon before, what were once labyrinthine passages of shadow and wonder are now just roads, but with a bit of rock over the top. Modern Pokemon caves are like Santa's grotto - you go in, get a present (a Zubat, thanks grandma), and leave. But in the good old days, caves used to mean something, man. This week on my trek through the indomitable world of Kanto, I reach the Rock Tunnel. Honey, I'm home.

Welcome back to my journey, returning trainers. And newcomers, welcome for the first time. Over the past few months I have slowly been making my way through Kanto, step by step, chronicling my journey - you can catch up on any episodes you might have missed here. This is not about battles, or victory, but about discovery old sport. About immersing myself in this land we all once felt so free, so lost in. Though last week was battle-heavy and reminded me of the importance of NPC interaction, my time in Kanto is all about the places I discover. This time, I push on into the mighty Rock Tunnel fortress.

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The Rock Tunnel is not a maze, although it is complex enough that you're forced to use Flash to get through it. I've previously explored Mt. Moon, and while that had me going back and forth, up and down, round the twist, the Rock Tunnel does not confuse you. No, it confounds you instead with its sheer size. The Rock Tunnel is a mighty specimen of the power of nature, and of the trust Pokemon used to have in its players. These days, even though Pokemon has far more technological power, it is too married to the idea that any game might be someone's first game, and so every experience is diluted and wasted. Surprising a player, challenging a player - these are ideas too close to frustration, and Pokemon is eager to never have its players feel frustrated, even positively, for a single second.

trainer in the Lets Go Eevee rock tunnel

This forgets, of course, that it was Pokemon Red & Blue that made Pokemon the phenomenon that it is. It was everyone's first Pokemon game, full of sprawling caves, hidden pathways, Legendaries that disappeared if you didn't catch them the first time, and that incredibly annoying (but oh so rewarding) floor puzzle in Team Rocket's hideout. Maybe I'll see that in a new light when I catch up to it, but despite being surprised, challenged, and (yes!) frustrated by it, it remains a highlight of Kanto.

Back to the Rock Tunnel. It's not even difficult, there is a simple path to a ladder, another path to another ladder, and then a path to the exit. And all the Zubats you can swat along the way. There's nothing here to stop players in their tracks, it's simply big enough to demand your attention. Modern Pokemon games are defined by a sense of cowardice, they are too afraid that someone, anyone, will be annoyed at the level design, so it becomes as flat and as safe as can be. Rock Tunnel isn't a puzzle, but it does feel like New Pokemon Snap's Outaway Cave - a place I've already suggested should be Pokemon's benchmark. With Scarlet & Violet taking cues from Legends: Arceus' open world, maybe good caves are back on the menu. Until then, we'll always have Paris. Erm, Rock Tunnel.

gengar in a portal in new pokemon snap's outaway cave

Next week, I'll arrive in Lavender Town, but since I can't actually do much in it yet, I'll be rushing along to Celadon City. I hear the gym there is full of strong trainers!

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