>>33629046I still love the game!
I'm having loads of fun playing my Platinum cartridge on my 3DS. Knowing about the mechanics makes the post game much more enjoyable and gives the game a lot of length. I like working toward something to have a great payoff of finally being able to complete a final challenge, and in Pokemon, you're given all of the tools to do so! Plus, I develop a bond with each Pokemon that I train, even the ones that I breed or catch for specific purposes that enhance their strength.
The story is enthralling even when replaying, with you and your team of trusted friends go up against complex and believable villains and even recruit gods to help you complete one or even two of the two goals you started your journey on, to complete the Pokedex and surmount the Pokemon League! When I play on Pokemon Showdown, I love the tactical gameplay and the mindgames that go into playing. I don't inject, because I choose not to, but even if I did, I would be okay with it, because I treat each injected Pokemon like they're their own being. When I play on Showdown, I like to imagine, say, the Charizard on this team is the same one on my other team. It might be considered mental gymnastics, but it makes everything more fun for me, and to me, it makes sense, because when you create the Pokemon, you choose from a list, just like selecting from a box in the ingame!
I love this game, and even if other people think it's childish, or they think the way that I have fun is wrong, I don't think I'll ever leave it. When the game series ends, I'll go back and watch the anime, because I love the premise and the world building.