Okay, hear me out. I know it sounds crazy, but the more I think about it, the more convinced I become: Pokémon Animal Crossing? It's a post-apocalyptic wasteland, but a really, really cute one. Seriously. Think about it.
We’re all wandering around deserted islands, gathering resources, crafting furniture… where are the other people? Where are the governments? Gone! Vanished! Reduced to selling turnips for bells and hoping that Tom Nook doesn’t raise your rent. Which, let’s be honest, is a pretty bleak existence if you peel back the cutesy veneer.
And then there's the Pokémon side of things. The sheer number of pocket monsters, all with unique abilities, crammed into this world, it is bit overwhelming. But imagine it not as idyllic coexistence, but as a world rebounding after… well, something cataclysmic. A world where only these hardy creatures (and a handful of suspiciously silent villagers) have managed to survive.
The Evidence: Why This Theory Makes (a Strange) Sense
Alright, so maybe I'm overthinking it. But let's look at the “evidence,” shall we?
- The Empty World: As I mentioned, where is everyone? The original Animal Crossing at least had other townsfolk moving in and out. Now? It's just you and a rotating cast of animals. A bit sus, no?
- Resource Scarcity (Sort Of): Yes, resources are plentiful, but that could be because there's no one left to compete for them. We’re basically scavenging in a pre-industrial society, using axes we crafted ourselves to chop down trees. It's practically Bloodborne, but with cuter graphics.
- The Pokémon's Resilience: Pokémon are incredibly resilient to all manner of threats. I initially thought that they might just be the dominant species, but after taking a closer look, they may be immune to whatever caused everyone else to disappear. Think about it, have you ever seen a sick Pokémon (I am not talking about status problems)?
Plus, think about the music! Happy and upbeat? Sure. But also… a little lonely, right? Am I the only one who gets a vaguely melancholic vibe from those tunes? Maybe it's just me. Anyway, on to the next point.
Animal Crossing's Disturbing Parallels
The frustrating thing about this theory is that it's hard to prove. It's all circumstantial, vibes, and wild speculation. But that's what makes it fun! Consider the constant terraforming. What does it actually signify? Control? Or perhaps the need to rebuild and redefine the world to our liking. Like you see in the survival games.
And the villagers… they’re so cheerful. Too cheerful, perhaps? Are they in denial about the apocalypse? Or are they just… simple creatures, content with fishing and catching bugs while the world crumbles around them? I don't know! But it’s definitely giving me the chills.
So, What Happened? The Great Pokémon Incident?
Here’s where I’m really spitballing. What could have caused this hypothetical apocalypse? My money's on some sort of Pokémon-related incident. Maybe a rogue Mewtwo, maybe a Groudon/Kyogre squabble that got out of hand, maybe even just a really, really bad case of Koffing smog.
Whatever it was, it wiped out humanity (or at least most of it), leaving behind a world populated by animals, Pokémon, and a silent, unsettling calmness. The Halo game is a good example of that too. And we just never bothered to ask why. This could be a result of the game's development timeline, but maybe it could also be intentional to keep the mystery alive.
I’ve got to admit, this part fascinates me. The Pokémon's adaptability makes them ideal candidates for thriving in a post-catastrophe environment. They're diverse, resourceful, and, well, let's face it, kinda cute. A new ecosystem taking shape. An ecosystem where we are just helping them out, or are we?
What if the reason we are not able to see any other humans is not because they are all dead, but because they are hiding. Maybe we are just the test subjects who get to live around Pokémon while they observe us.
Think about it this way: the game subtly teaches us to cherish nature. Maybe the reason this apocalypse happened is because of us.
Here's an external link to a gaming site: Poki.
FAQ: Unpacking the Pokémon Apocalypse
Is this theory just a fun thought experiment, or do you genuinely believe it?
Honestly? It's mostly a fun thought experiment. I don't actually think Nintendo secretly coded a post-apocalyptic narrative into Animal Crossing. But isn't it more fun to think about the game with a bit of mystery and intrigue? Plus, these thoughts will keep my mind busy as I wander around and catch beetles.
How does this theory explain the endless stream of new villagers?
Well, here's the thing: maybe they're not "new." Maybe they're just… traveling. Drifters, wandering from island to island, searching for supplies or just a friendly face. It's a lonely existence out there in the post-apocalyptic sea, you know?
What role do I play in this post-apocalyptic scenario?
That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Are you a survivor? A rebuilder? Or just an unwitting pawn in some grand, Pokémon-driven experiment? Maybe you should think about that next time, when you go fishing.
Could this theory be applied to other Nintendo games?
Absolutely! Think about The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. Hyrule is definitely a post-apocalyptic setting. And what about Splatoon? Turf wars in a world overrun by…squids? The possibilities are endless!
