Official Rating: G
You've seen it all over: in stores, on the Internet, and maybe in your house. It's a popular card game inspired by an even more popular franchise. The phenomenon, of course, is Pokemon: The Card Game, or Pokemon TCG. The premise is simple: Knock Out(not kill) your opponent's Pokemon until you win. Gameplay proceeds as follows: Each player has a 60-card deck, which contains Pokemon, trainers(do various helpful things), and energy(power up the pokemon's attacks). They also lay out prize cards. On your turn, you draw a card, attach one energy, play Trainer cards, 'evolve' your pokes(No connection to Darwin), and attack. You can only attack once per turn, and only if you have the right amount of Energy cards to power said attack. Attacks decrease the HP of the opponent's pokemon. If HP reaches zero, it is Knocked Out and you take a prize card. Once you do so, your turn is over. If you draw all your prize cards, you win. This was only a brief synopsis, so look it up if you want more in-depth instructions(Or check out our Guide to Playing Pokemon TCG)
Energy
Trainer(Supporter)
Pokemon
The popularity—and the price—of the cards has skyrocketed, so be aware of that when shopping for cards!
Great Parts: From collecting to trading to battling, Pokemon TCG provides fun on multiple levels. Once mastered, the game is easy to play and can provide a great way to make/bond with friends and family.
Violence: The game, as well as much of Pokemon itself, is about Trainer battles, which are when a Pokemon trainer sends out his/her 'mons to fight another trainer's, but no blood or fatalities happen.
Sexual Content: Some female attire is scanty, but other than that, nothing.
Language: Aside from players occasionally getting mad at each other, none.
Other: Some believe Pokemon promotes unhealthy materialism, but 'materialism' builds the economy, and if people want to spend their own money on a fun game, it's better than other things. Also, do not take your card collection to Saudi Arabia! Pokemon is a contraband article because authorities believe it promotes gambling and non-Muslim traditions. (Sidenote on gambling: it is entirely possible to play the game without it.)
Summary: Although some things may be interpreted as having villainous significance, the game does not promote anything truly bad. Some of the 'mons are rather creepy, so if you do not care for certain creatures(Duskull, in my case) simply trade it away. Pokemon TCG is perfectly fine for people of all ages. Rating: 9/10
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