I have experienced Pokemon’s evolution through the years first hand. Being addicted since Pokemon Red/Blue, I have seen the series change in many more good ways than bad. The only real thing I miss about older games is the 2D style. I have adjusted to the 3D look, but, what can I say, I prefer the old-school look and feel of games a few entries back (Pokemon Diamond being my favorite game, period). That being said, one thing has yet to change in the regular pattern of games: Hidden Machines, or HMs.
Here I am entering Victory Road in Pokemon Omega Ruby. I like my team for the most part, too. Zangoose, Steelix, Latios, Gardevoir, Gyrados, and of course my starter, Blaziken, make up my awesome troupe. Those familiar with the standard rules of Pokemon know there’s four moves a piece, giving me 24 total move choices while in battle. Sadly, some of those are wasted on moves I do not want, nor use, but must have simply to traverse the lands of Hoenn. I know this is a remake, but the problem with HMs has been around since the original game.
Gyrados, for example, is a complete waste on my team. I love Surf, don’t get me wrong. But this normally fierce Water/Flying type that can take advantage of a variety of devastating attacks, now has to carry not only Surf, but Waterfall and Dive. I will tell you, in the past several hours that I have had the move Dive, I have never once used it outside of battle. Since Gyrados is a lost cause, which is very sad, she was also picked to be my Secret Power carrier. Secret Bases are fun, and I steal every flag I pass.
Strength is another required move, Blaziken being the host for it. Not only that, but Blaziken also has Rock Smash. Rock Smash is required to get the most exploring possible out of the way without having to come back. Luckily, I ditched Cut, or I would have used Blaziken to be my second main HM whor-…um, user. Yes.
Latios has Fly, the last needed HM. This isn’t essential for getting through Victory Road, but have you ever played a Pokemon without teaching a party member Fly? I haven’t either.
When I sit down and think about all of the wasted potential on my team right now, I get downright aggravated. I made Gyrados forget Crunch, a great Dark-type move, so she could learn a move I have never used and never will use in battle. While not HM’s, Zangoose is my dedicated Thief and False Swipe Pokemon so I can steal wanted items and catch Pokemon easier. Of course, none of these Pokemon will sit in my “Battle Box” if I decide to go through EV training battle-bred Pokemon. Still, going up to the Elite Four with these moves is silly, and I shouldn’t have to be forced to do so.
Let me state this, I understand the point of HMs. They are a way to lock out portions of the game from players before they should be accessing said-areas. But you know what? I get a badge for completing a gym, which then lets me “use Fly outside of battle”. So why can’t I just Fly to an area with any Flying type Pokemon in my group? Why do I need to waste a move on this when it could easily be remedied by just granting me access to using Strength with the badge instead of a move? Sure, force me to have a Water-type Pokemon in my group to be able to Surf after clearing a certain gym, but don’t make me waste a move on it for crying out loud.
A lot of changes have happened in the past decade or so, but let’s spread the word to Nintendo and let them know we don’t want HMs anymore. They are a waste of potential and the most frustrating mechanic the series has carried throughout the years unchanged. It’s time for a change.
About Author
