The Lore Research Lab

The Pokémon franchise has always been about collecting information about Pokémon in the form of a data-collecting device known as a Pokédex. Notably, certain individuals who are considered experts in studying Pokémon are featured in the games as a part of gameplay and to provide exposition. But how do we explore these characters in more detail and what informs them? This episode looks at defining...

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom now has a gameplay demonstration, demonstrated by game producer Eiji Aonuma! Listen to this episode to hear the founder's excitement at this new sequel and the new features present in this upcoming game. Timestamps: 01:13 - The Legend of Zelda; Tears of the Kingdom Gameplay Demonstration Reaction + Breakdown 42:49 - Discussing the Zonai Race > 43:07...

This episode features a review of Metroid Dread , released in 2021 on the Nintendo Switch and 19 years after its Metroid predecessor. What is there to know about this game and is it a game worth getting? Check out this episode to learn more! Timestamps: 2:13 - Basic Premise 3:54 - Gameplay > 4:47 - Combat > 6:40 - Stealth > 15:44 - Enemies > 17:49 - Environments 22:02 - Conclusion Link...

The Mario games are well known for their fun and simple platforms, making the games feel accessible and easy to play through. While most Mario games are simple at its core, none are truly as straightforward as a game solely based on solving puzzles. Furthermore, a game that does not have Mario at the center and instead a side character makes for an interesting spin-off - enter Captain Toad: Treasu...

Check out this episode to learn about some announcements from Nintendo on upcoming releases, remasters, and games in-between, finishing with an in-depth analysis of the new The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Official Trailer. Timestamps: 00:04 - Brief Disclaimer + Summarized thoughts on Nintendo Direct video 06:12 - Reacting to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom (New Footage) 08:33 -...

Pokémon appear in a variety of shapes, sizes, and forms; one important determinant of these characteristics is what is known as a “Type”, giving Pokémon unique attributes based on the Type’s element, power, and so on. With 18 types in total, there are many to review; in the eighth installment of this miniseries known as “Pokémon Rants”, The Lab’s founder returns to tackle “Flying Types”, the Pokém...

With the number of Legendary and Mythical Pokémon in existence, the fanbase has for years theorized about how Legendary Pokémon function within a broader scheme of lore, creation, and determining how the timelines and storylines of core series games are connected. Including themes of folklore, religion, and history, this episode focuses on constructing a timeline detailing the origins of Legendary...

The concept of Legendary Pokémon has been a constant in the franchise; whether they are benevolent, life-giving beings or behemoths with the power to destroy, Legendary Pokémon offer a variety of powerful creatures that stand above the rest in more ways than one. However, while having a prominent presence in nearly all Pokémon games, the interpretation of this concept, the concept that all-powerfu...

Since 1996, the Pokémon franchise has welcomed new and older players alike with various additions to their battle mechanics since the series' origin, including a variety of integrations that smoothened gameplay and made battling a more accessible concept. This episode looks at a specific category of Pokémon battling known as "Battle Gimmicks," indicating their lack of permanence and...

The long wait for Pokémon Scarlet and Pokémon Violet is finally over! Being a new installment in the Pokémon franchise, there are many reactions to the games as they have been freshly released. This episode reviews spoiler-free details on these games and whether they are good as both games and as new Pokémon iterations.  Timestamps: 00:34 - Notes for Season 4 (Optional Listen) 03:50 - Reviewi...

Pokémon X & Y were released in 2013 and were the first to have elements of 3D modelling in their gameplay, a big step graphically for the Pokémon franchise. Whatever reception this game received will not be discussed in this episode, as The Lore Research Lab's founder embarks on a journey to poorly explain the storyline of these games in this installment of The Parody Series. Timestamps: 00:30...

Pokémon games tend to be formulaic in nature, one notable format of gameplay appearing in numerous titles; an institution known as The Pokémon League, an in-game institution that challenges the player to face a certain number of trainers in order to claim the title of champion – in other words, the title of the strongest trainer in the region. But who are the individuals that constitute this body...

Pokémon games tend to be formulaic in nature, one notable format of gameplay appearing in numerous titles; an institution known as The Pokémon League, an in-game institution that challenges the player to face a certain number of trainers in order to claim the title of champion – in other words, the title of the strongest trainer in the region. But who are the individuals that constitute this body...

Pokémon games tend to be formulaic in nature, one notable format of gameplay appearing in numerous titles; an institution known as The Pokémon League, an in-game institution that challenges the player to face a certain number of trainers in order to claim the title of champion – in other words, the title of the strongest trainer in the region. But who are the individuals that constitute this body...

This brief episode looks at some more updates regarding Pokémon Scarlet and Violet as the release date nears! Refer to the videos listed in the description for any further background on these upcoming games. Timestamps: 01:00 - About the New Gym Leader and their Ace 10:15 - Gameplay Demo Review Links/Resources: - Pokémon Scarlet and Violet Gameplay Demo  - The New Gym Leader and their Si...

More new footage has been released on the upcoming games Pokémon Scarlet and Violet ! Check out this episode to learn more about jumping into a Paldean Journey! Timestamps: 02:08 - Discussing Trainer #1: Highland Encounters with Terastalizing Pokémon 15:39 - Discussing Trainer #2: Crafting, Trading & Seeking out the Herba Mystica! 28:09 - Discussing Trainer #3: Take on the Gym Leaders, Rising...

This episode introduces the concept of “spin-offs” in video games, using the example of the Mario franchise to demonstrate how spin-offs can be unique from the canon they derive from, and how consistency within a franchise can be effective in this form of video gaming. Timestamps: 00:33 - What are Spin-Offs? > 03:36 - "The Formula for Variety" 10:16 - Interpreting Mario Spin-Offs > 11:17 - M...

New footage on Pokémon Scarlet & Violet has been released! This episode has The Lab's founder, joined by a returning guest discussing the new footage and their thoughts on what this game has in store for players as its release date closes in! Timestamps: 00:57 - Preamble + Structure of the Episode 02:34 - Starfall Street Analysis 18:56 - Path of Legends Analysis 35:55 - Victory Road Analysis 5...

With the new Nintendo Direct video (13.9.2022), it has been announced that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild sequel now has a name - The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom ! This episode unpacks what we know so far about this upcoming game slated to release in mid 2023, what this trailer can tell us about lore in the franchise, and other details that demonstrate what Tears of the Kingdom...

This brief episode addresses the recent trailer on Pokémon Scarlet & Violet competitive play! Links/Resources:  - Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Official Website - Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Competitive Play Trailer (Creator's Note: I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images that come from this game; images have been taken from the competitive play trailer and are sol...

This episode briefly discusses the new trailer released for Pokémon Scarlet & Violet, slated to release in November of 2022! Links: - Pokémon Presents on Pokémon Scarlet & Violet (Check Timestamps in Video description) - Pokémon Scarlet & Violet Official Website

The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds is one among the many Zelda installations, first hitting stores in 2013. In a game where the player, as Link, is expected to traverse between two very different worlds, what does this mean within the broader Legend of Zelda chronology and lore? This episode explores background on this game's development, its storyline, other game mechanics and miscell...

This brief episode sees The Lore Research Lab's founder ranking the bosses from Kirby and the Forgotten Land , along with general opinions on the battles and overall enjoyment with the bosses themselves. Links: - The Bosses - All Boss Battles (Video) (Creator's Note: For non-Spotify listeners, there is only an audio option available. I do not claim ownership over the products, sources, and images...

In the Pokémon franchise, there are many regions to adventure to, dependent on the game you own. In this episode, The Lore Research Lab’s founder is joined by an enthusiastic guest to discuss the Hoenn region, introduced in Pokémon Ruby , Sapphire , and Emerald , revamped in the remakes Omega Ruby and Alpha Sapphire . Timestamps: 00:32 - Conceptualizing Hoenn > 02:23 - What inspired the Hoenn R...

In this brief episode, the found of The Lab discusses the soon-to-be-released spin-off game Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes , succeeding the mainline series game Fire Emblem: Three Houses . Links: - Fire Emblem Warriors: Three Hopes Trailer > Adrestian Empire Trailer > Kingdom of Faerghus Trailer > Leicester Alliance Trailer