Fool's Errands #004 – Pokémon Café ReMix: Grinding Through an Adorably Mixed Blend

*****

This is a non-regular series I dub as Fool's Errands. Why? Because it will chronicle, or at least, tell about an act or attempt I have or had taken, could be small or big, that was... well, presumably pointless, unnecessary, or even crazy to some. 😅

It would not always be the case, of course. Maybe it was merely a mundane thing I just never really got around to doing before. My goal is to learn something from it. Whether I intend to continue doing it or not is up for grabs. But, hey, maybe such an action will lead to a fun discovery... 😉

*****

On the heels of my backup phone no longer able to play Pokémon GO (thanks to the fresh update post-9th Anniversary week), with the likelihood that my primary phone might follow suit soon enough, I've cemented my decision to publish this post. Truly, I wasn't sure if this experiment would be necessary. But considering Pokémon Café ReMix may now be the more accessible mobile game from the franchise for those without the most up-to-date smartphone? I figured I'd just go with it anyway. 😅

Pokémon Café ReMix has just celebrated its 5th Anniversary last month, on June 24 to be precise. Yet, somehow, it feels like it has yet to gain the level of popularity in English-speaking countries. I mean, pretty much every (bizarre, fanfic-leaning) "leak" and/or "rumor" surrounding the Pokémon franchise keeps claiming or saying something along the lines of "Pokémon Café ReMix will end service this year, yada yada yada." Statements like "Nobody plays this game"–yes, in English–are a common theme on various social media. It's as if there's no faith for this game on that side of the world. Well, you get the point. 😑🤦🏻‍♂️

The irony is that the game has an avid, active player base in Japan and, seemingly, South America. So, NO, or at least I doubt, this game will be delivered to the mobile app graveyard any time soon. 😌🙆🏻‍♂️

Of course, the goal of Fool's Errands is to dish out my impression of something, including what I like and what annoys me about the subject and experience in general. That means, please don't expect any waxing of sweet glaze or sugarcoating with simple syrups as well. For all of Cafe ReMix's tasty offerings, I won't ignore its sour servings either. Will this quasi or maybe pseudo, albeit unnecessary, review end with a bitter aftertaste? Let's chomp right into it. 😛

An Appetizing Menu

Before I jump to the meat of the experiment, there is one glaring question to address first. What IS Pokémon Café ReMix?! 🤨

That's indeed the bitter irony. In line with what I noted above, many people, even Pokémon fans, aren't as familiar with the mobile/handheld game. Maybe they do know the title, as it's always a part of Pokémon Presents. Even so, knowing and actually playing it are two different things. 😐

It's not as surprising, though. Pokémon Café ReMix is a small, harmless spin-off title. Basically, it's the Sugar Rush-style touch-based puzzle game (although I kind of doubt that category is accurate) that features Pokémon as café staff. That's about it. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Developed by Genius Sonority Inc.,  the first version, called Pokémon Café Mix, became accessible on June 24, 2020 (that's June 23 in the North and South American countries, naturally). 

(Source: The Pokémon Company)

Wait! Wasn't that the early onset of the global COVID-19 Pandemic? That's unfortunately the case. Personally, I think that timing became both a blessing and a curse for this game. 😶

Nowadays, you may often stumble into comments stating, "I played this a lot during COVID." That's not an exaggeration but an actual fact. As countries began to implement stay-at-home regulations, more and more people had no choice but to adjust to a less hectic daily routine. That, no doubt, posed as a challenge to many. Hence, those stuck-at-home folks looked for ways to keep themselves busy and kill time. 😤

Was that the blessing part? Ironically, yes, I think so. I mean, due to its early gameplay (which I'll explain below), the developer had to churn out updates at a somewhat rapid pace. The list of puzzles was expanded every week or two. I can't remember the precise schedule since there were a lot! It took me only around several days to clear a new batch, though. 😅

Still, that gave the impression that the game was alive and well. At least until its Chinese competitive MOBA cousin joined the chat room. Like all things in life, players began moving to the next best thing. By moving, that might include uninstalling a previous game to clear the space.

But really, vaccine development eventually found success, and countries began reopening. Once that happened, did players still have the leeway in their daily schedule to play Pokémon Café Mix for hours on end? Sad to say, the answer was most likely NO. And again, that vibe was felt within the game itself. The quick, periodic updates slowly slowed down. I'm not going to lie: the game just seemed underwhelming. What drove players into the game had become its curse. 😢

Then the surprise came out. Pokémon Café Mix was officially dead, not long after its first anniversary!!! In August 2021's Pokémon Presents, The Pokémon Company announced a revamp of the core concept of the game, rebranding the title to the version we know today. The change came into effect on October 28, 2021. 

(Source: The Pokémon Company)

Fascinatingly enough, the Japanese title is no longer following the English version. If you ask me, despite being oddly too long, ようこそ！ポケモンカフェ ～まぜまぜパズル～ (Welcome! Pokémon Café ~Mixing Puzzles~) IS a catchier, or at least more expressive name. Maybe that's why Pokémaze (ポケまぜ), for short, remains strong until now? 😳

The revamp brought changes. It began introducing new features and mechanics to expand the unique gameplay. Rapid pace updates returned in the form of Events. There was a Gacha-like element to better spend Golden Acorns, the in-game currency. For better or worse, naturally. 🙄

Utilizing the same action of swirling, linking the same Staff Pokémon icons, the game now alternates between one format of gameplay to the next. I just realized the game has become more elaborate to describe than before. So, I'll try my best to sum them all up, without making you fall asleep with long exposition. 😪

Old School Main Courses

But before I head there, let's go down memory lane to how the game began. To start, I have to focus on the most crucial aspect: the Pokémon! Hahaha. 😁

In this game, players don't catch Pokémon or battle them in a turn-based setting. Here, players RECRUIT the adorably designed mons, as they pretty much do all the work. Seriously, they are the chefs/cooks, waiters, and customers altogether! Leah, the face of human character of two (the second is the player as the owner), is more or less in a managerial capacity. 🙋🏼

Each Staff Pokémon has a specialization, select Special Gimmick (as in, which type of obstacle their icons can clear), and a unique Skill. For example, the player's first partner, Eevee, is a Drinks specialist who can clear the Sugar Cubes gimmick, among others. ☕️

So, if the customer orders an Eevee Latte? It requires Eevee or a fellow Drinks Staff member to handle it. Clearing that order gives Golden Acorns, XP, and Pokémon/Milestone Cookies that are necessary to increase Eevee's friendship/staff level. Leveling up (to a maximum of 25 now) will unlock more Special Gimmicks that, eventually, help clear menus faster. The Training feature may speed up the process. 🙃

***Tips Time***

A quick intermezzo before I forget.

Leveling up your Staff will help greatly throughout Events. Try to at least train them, via the Training feature or another way I will share below, up to Level 15. That's when the three core Special Gimmicks of the Staff Pokémon will be unlocked.

During Events, the game usually suggests the best Staff to handle an order/stage. If all the core Gimmicks are unlocked, that suggestion will come in handy, even if you can still choose a different Staff that produces higher points.

And don't hesitate to use Puzzle Power items. The Events will drop plenty of them.

******

How about Skill? It is the equivalent of Super Moves in fighting games, complete with a few seconds of dazzling stock animated reel. The early Staff members got unique actions that, in a way, fit the character. Sadly, the developer seemed to have lost creative touch as the newer recruits truly do nothing but, uhm, "pose" and "spark." Did the players, as owners, recruit them only to be a fashion model or something? 😨

A Skill can wipe an area of icons through individual patterns. Many of these look super cute, if not cool. Greninja performs swift fruit art with Water Shuriken. Dragonite obliterates a horizontal line using Hyper Beam, and twice in a row if players combine two Skill icons! The double Skill effect of the Mythical Mew–who new players WILL eventually recruit for FREE, after some grinding–remains my personal favorite. Mew can magically wipe EVERY icon on the stage, usually resulting in a clean slate. I said "usually" because some gimmicks like Pop Corn Kernels only clear out after repeated hits. But yeah, chef's kiss! 😘

Clearing Orders unlocks a new Gimmick item, and attracts more Pokémon customers–starting with Rowlet and the first Sweets specialist Piplup. Once players recruit them as Staff, and they reach specific levels, they band together to trigger Menu Development. Doing this unlocks new Menus, which also lure more unique Pokémon, further diversifying the customer and Staff roster. That's why it's super necessary to recruit them all. It can provide flexibility to handle later Orders as they add new combinations of Special Gimmicks that greatly ease the process. 👌🏻

Aaah, yes. I keep mentioning "Order" but haven't described it. 😲

Main/Regular Order was the vanilla gameplay, the one that started it all. Each Regular Order is a unique puzzle of icon composition with several requirements to fulfil. During the Café Mix era, this was the part that needed continuous updates by Genius Sonority. 

As players move their way through the sequence of orders, the challenge typically increases through the debut of more complicated Gimmicks. Caramel or Condensed Milk multiplies and floods the area in every turn. Chewy Gummy or a Can of Tea can only be cleared using Megaphones–general items that help wipe icons horizontally or vertically, Puzzle Powers, or Pokémon Skills. You know the drill. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Finishing an order rewards Golden Acorns. These Acorns will be used to level up Staff, purchase in-game helpful items (like the Megaphones), double-serve the same customer (to recruit them faster), and more. Players can also use the Acorns to extend their play counts if they somehow run out without achieving a 3-Star result. 😅

During gaps between the updates, players who had cleared all available Regular Orders would switch into the Master Café Mode. In this mode, players revisit Past Orders but with different requirements. The mode rewards points that can be used to obtain classy costumes, such as Super Chef Lucario. 

Logically, Master Café Mode is still available for those who have cleared all Main Regular Orders, which clocks at 2400. Otherwise, how would they obtain Cookies to level up the new mons introduced via new Menu Development? 🤔

To be honest, though, I can't confirm this myself due to a simple reason: both my main and new accounts have yet to reach order 2400. What's holding me from doing that? Well, because of the changes dropped with the Café ReMix upgrade–an upgrade that is, subjectively speaking, ruined the game. 😔

A Fastfood Treatment?

The revamping of Pokémon Café Mix to Café ReMix introduced several new modes/features that you would either like or, dare I say, de-taste. February 2022 saw the, ugh, cha-ching, cha-ching, arrival of Pelipper's Delivery feature. Later, in April of the same year, the One-Minute Cooking Mode joined the display case. October 2023 brought the Slow Cooking Mode. June 2024 introduced the Cooking Festival, along with new antagonistic characters. Last but not least, precisely a month ago, the 5th Anniversary introduced Café Customization. 

Honestly, I feel the vibe generated since the ReMix revamp has been all about "playing more and faster" instead of enjoying it "slowly but surely at our own pace" as it was before. Much like other mobile Pokémon apps, that tendency is glaringly apparent through Events that run at least every ten days. Each Event adds at least a new Costume, if not a completely new Staff Pokémon. 

As such, it's provocative in a way, considering there's a chance players may only obtain these exclusive Costumes/Staff for FREE in this event. I'm not gonna lie, this feels exhausting to keep up. So, I sometimes just ignore the Costume ones or stop playing once I obtain the new Staff and its Cookies. Otherwise, having to keep grinding daily for hours would only overwhelm my sanity. 😵

One-Minute Cooking Mode, which players can experience daily through Daily Training, is a quick, energetic rush–or HECTIC, in my vocabulary–gameplay. The goal is to rake up Scores as high as possible. It involves using four different Staff to clear as many cycles of the puzzle in sixty seconds. Not counting the repeated pauses between cycles and when the staff leader uses Skill, that is. 

Sure, this mode offers a speedier game time than the regular orders. But while the idea, on paper, sounds inclusive–and, yes, activating a Frenzy may drive players into a frenzy, it personally overwhelms and annoys me, as if I'm on a manic drive to get each stage done. If you DO enjoy that adrenaline shove, then good for you. I'm just not fond of being rushed. And this mode ended up annoying me so much, I dropped the game for several months. More than half a year, I think? 🤔

On the opposite side of things is the Slow Cooking Mode, which usually plays out as a Garden Tea Party. My fondness for tea aside, this was thankfully an easy favorite; a welcome change that actually lured me back into daily playtime. In this mode, players must complete a set of three orders under a shared play count. Players must assign the best Staff to tackle one meal quickly, so that the play count will still be enough for the next two. There are four main customers to serve the meals, suited to the Event's theme. Generally, once players reach level four with those customers, the Event's Special Guest will appear and eventually can be recruited. For example, during Salamence's Joyful Nibble, the customers were all Dragon-type: Altaria, Dragonite, Garchomp, and Flygon. The titular Salamence served as the Special Guest. 🐉

It's really entertaining seeing the customers react with a rare "!" that doubles the Delicious Points accumulated. Based on my experience so far, recruiting the Special Guest in this Mode is pretty much guaranteed, without even trying too hard. The one possible drawback of this mode is that, true to its name, the gameplay is SLOW. Each run requires players to clear all meals or run out of play count. Often, by the time one run clears out, a new Stamina shard has been generated. 🐌🐌

Oh, yeah. That reminds me. Genius Sonority introduced the Stamina system. Previously, there was only a Heart system. Now, every action in the game, whether playing an Event or Training the Staff, consumes Stamina. 

I vaguely recall the backlash when Stamina was first introduced. Understandably so, as before that, players could play nonstop for hours, which, as stated earlier, worked well during the pandemic-induced lockdown. The whole kerfuffle turned out to be nothing but a silly irony, though. 😅

"Silly" because if the goal was to limit game time, the frequent giveaways of Stamina proved otherwise. Not to mention, new players who pace through Regular Orders will obtain Stamina Crystal somewhat frequently. Stamina Crystal allows infinite Stamina for fifteen minutes, and players can use that convenient window for any feature. ⏳

Really, though, it only takes fifteen minutes to generate a free Stamina. Or even faster if players buy them with Golden Acorns. So, Stamina never becomes an issue. Furthermore, the Monthly Goals give thirty free Stamina just by playing. 😅 

"What's a Monthly Goal?" you ask? Monthly Goal introduces two paths that players clear by playing and gathering points. There's a Free Course for all players, and then the Premium Course. Premium offers more rewards (60 Stamina! Thousands more of Golden Acorns!), including an exclusive featured Staff, such as Torchic this month, Ampharos in June, and so on. The Premium Course is available for those who purchase the Premium Pass. And that brings me to the next point... 👀

Are the Meals or Drinks on the House?

Yes, barring Premium Pass rewards, Pokémon Café ReMix is NOT a Pay-to-Play game. No, it's completely FREE to install and play as long as your smartphone can handle it (processor, storage). It's really not Pay-to-Win either, as there's zero competitive element that encourages players to, umm, WIN. 😅 

Every other Event, a Cooking Festival does appear. It's a team battle against the new antagonist, Team Crunch, that consists of Amandine, Ignace, and Croagunk. More human? Yes, finally! Team Crunch mimics the iconic Team Rocket trio from the animated series. Still, I don't think Cooking Festival can count as anything remotely competitive. Players can ignore and fail in the "Duel," and nothing happens. They simply won't obtain the rewards, which are usually just Golden Acorns or tickets. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Perhaps the most suitable term to categorize this game would be Pay-for-Convenience. If that's even a thing. The Staff Pokémon you recruit through Premium Pass, as in by paying actual money, usually enables you to clear the stages easier and faster, consecutively boosting your overall points to complete the Events at a brisk pace. Less grinding! 😲

Throughout the five, or, rather, four plus (considering my absence) years of playing this game, I haven't spent a single cent. Excluding calories of energy and hours of spare time, of course. Maybe if I ever win a million-dollar lottery, I'll try getting a Premium Pass once. Otherwise, I doubt I will ever do it. Why? Almost every price in this game is ridiculously overpriced! You're probably a super fan of the featured Staff Pokémon if you're willing to dump that load of cash for it. And you can't even send it to HOME. The monetization in this game is unbelievable. ✋🏻😫

Likewise, its Delivery feature, which is basically its Gacha system, is probably the most hideous, if not awful, one among the Pokémon mobile games I've played so far. Well, among 5, I guess, assuming Pokémon GO's Eggs are like a random loot box (yes, the list excludes Pokémon TCG Pocket, which I sadly haven't tried until now). 😰

For casual players, Delivery offers a casual chance of getting a new Staff member. But the drop rate of the featured, Five-Star or Special Delivery Pokémon is just ridiculous. Somehow, they think jamming every Staff member into the pool is the right way to do it. And, naturally, they only appear for a limited time. 😑

Thank goodness the nonstop events always reward tickets for 1x or 11x Express Delivery, specifically for those Pokémon/Costumes. Even with those, players still only rely on sheer luck to obtain the golden goose. Poor luck means flushing out the tickets for nothing. But at least that's better than wasting the Golden Acorns they have worked hard to collect. 1x Delivery costs 3,000 Acorns, while 11x is 30,000. That's NOT an easy number to accumulate. 😌

I drained around 400,000 Golden Acorns just to obtain Quagsire via pity points (every 150 Deliveries). The blue salamander is one of my favorite Pokémon, though. And I missed the Water/Ground-type during its debut in November 2023. So, I don't mind. Who knows when it will return? 🤷🏻‍♂️

There's another aspect that annoys me about Delivery, but I'll explore that below.

On the bright side, there's one fact that may justify spending in this game. Yes, the game locks certain Staff behind a paywall. But as I mentioned already, getting them–especially for free, if players get lucky on the Delivery (looking at you, last-day-ticket Totodile!)–helps GREATLY for the ongoing event. 😮

The same also applies to Costumes, which are cute, often lavish, and gorgeously stylish. Unlike Pokémon UNITE's Holowears that are pure visual collectibles and cosmetics, many of these Costume variations come with a DIFFERENT set of Special Gimmicks from the original Staff's that, yes, follow and serve the paying purposes I described above. It makes the Event easier. That part actually makes them worth getting or collecting. 🤑

The Palatable Experience

Before presenting the final verdict, please allow me to ramble a bit and share my impressions throughout this Fool's Errand experiment. This narration was the first draft of this piece. And, it's pretty much the whole Fool's Errand goal. So, it feels wrong to let it go stale. Hahaha. 😜

Here goes:

Much like Pokémon GO, starting the game again from scratch has generated a surprising new experience. Sad to say, there is one difference. Unlike Pokémon GO's more helpful new additions/features, my Pokémon Café ReMix experience quickly became a blatant repeat of its current shell. And, yes, that means it's not a delightful one.

(Source: DaddyGamer Fred)

The opening movie, as I started a new game, was a joy to watch. It gave a cheerful, strangely hopeful vibe that I'd be having a good time. So, such a shame players can't watch it again once they're in the game. And, yes, the nostalgia hit me warmly. The early tutorial section played out like a return to form. "Just like the first time I played it back in 2020. Slowly and tenderly," I thought. The café layout was still simplistic, with no elaborate expansions. Clean slate FTW! ☺️

It didn't take long for the fast food effect to come into play, though. As I was cleared to prepare the Main Orders on my own, no handholding, the Delivery feature quickly stole the scene for better or worse. Come Order #4, the feature was unlocked. It looks like every player would get Yamper, a Gold-star Staff, through the premiere attempt. 🤔

But soon enough, I received the Strong Start Delivery ticket(s, yes, plural), headlined by the Paldean first partners, Sprigatito, Fuecoco, and Quaxly. The 11x Express Delivery gave me, as the name logically implied, 11 new Staff ALL AT ONCE, who could help me clear various orders! That's convenient, right? Not so fast. 😬

New players will repeatedly receive Delivery tickets that enable them to fast-recruit even rare Staff, assuming luck is in their favor. My issue is how that renders Main Orders less important. To that extent, Menu Development may also feel pointless. 😶

You see, I already got some rare Staff with only one pull. Back in 2020, these Staff would NOT be available until several Menu Developments. In my new run, I've only reached Order #162 for now. Yet I've already recruited Staff members I haven't even lured as Customers. 😐

Okay, moving on to the story for now. After flooding my Staff list in mere seconds, it started feeling like I'm doing a speed run. The progress milestones kept rewarding/activating Stamina Crystals, as if demanding me to race toward a specific point. So much for the slow and relaxed style! I ended up ignoring the game instead of continuing to play for yet another fifteen minutes after already playing for an hour (that's 4 Stamina Crystals in almost a row). 🕒

Once you reach Order #80, however? That's the specific point of the game that I just mentioned, where all the changes debuting through the Café ReMix update were activated all at once. YIKES! I was greeted by all Events active at the time, including access to Team Modes. 😐

***Tips Time***

Be careful choosing your team! Players will get a list of open Teams that accept new members who meet their minimum criteria. Sadly, not all teams are the same. I failed to recruit Espurr in the May Event, as only 4 players contributed to the team event, and I was the only one trying to continue while the others stopped after the first reward.

My advice is to examine the Team Members first, instead of joining one abruptly. Look for a Japanese, yes, NOT local, or a South American Team that has at least several players who have cleared all 2400 Main Orders. They are usually very active and remain engaged in every event. Even if you can't play daily (though some Teams demand you do, so know your place!), you'll highly likely obtain the reward Staff anyway, thanks to them.

That's how I've been doing now since leaving my non-existent local team. Yes, don't hesitate to leave a Team if you don't think it's active and helpful! That said, you won't be able to join another Team for 24 hours. And if there's an ongoing Team event, any rewards you've obtained there will be canceled. There's that to consider.

******

The access to these events caused an inevitable ripple effect. Due to the limited nature of ongoing Events, players' resources will undoubtedly be focused on completing the new Event, putting Regular Orders on the back kitchen. That happened to me, too. I've been too busy clearing the nonstop Events that I've pretty much neglected the Regular Orders by now. I mean, I don't even need to gather the Staff cookies, as I can level them up using the varieties of XP Tarts and Milestone Cookies obtained from Delivery! 😣

So, yeah, from that moment onward, the game "returned" to the repetitive, grindy version that made me rage-quit many months ago. To be fair, I no longer resent the new Modes as I initially did. So, despite being annoyed by them then, and it also took a while to get used to, I DO play and clear these events almost frequently now. That's really the only way to obtain Pokémon or Costumes without draining my bank account, honestly. 🤷🏻‍♂️

At the time of this writing, only TWO months and TWENTY days after I started my new run, I've collected 66 Staff, including 6 Legendaries/Mythicals that may serve as a Sidekick. Do take note that I play VERY casually, as in only using the max limit of 5 Stamina per day. Could you imagine if I played rigorously?

For comparison, the original account I've played since launch day in 2020 has 168 Staff, including Shiny variants and 17 Legendaries/Mythicals. I admit I'm glad I started the new account just before the 5th Anniversary. Who knows when or how I may obtain the likes of Ogerpon or Rayquaza after this? 😟

***Tips Time***

Prioritize events where you can recruit Legendary or Mythical for free. Many may serve as Sidekicks, with distinct abilities that help boost your final scores to help clear events faster.

******

Served on Different Tables

Pokémon Café ReMix is available as a mobile app and on Nintendo Switch. For this experiment, I opted for the Switch version, as I only played the mobile version since launch. 

I recall some chatter and complaints arose regarding how the Switch could only use a touchscreen to play in handheld mode. That's a rather confusing noise. I mean, even in the mobile version, nobody could use an external controller. Why should the Switch version be any different? This is a type of game that NEEDS the human touch, for crying out loud! Hahaha. 🤣👆🏻

Nevertheless, Nintendo Switch 2 is available on the market now. Maybe Genius Sonority can or should release a version that utilizes the Joy-Con 2's mouse mode in docked mode? Then again, I'm still not convinced players can handle the One-Minute Cooking Mode that way. No, I'm already shuddering at the possible risk of wrist injuries. That annoying mode is already rushed enough in phone or handheld mode. Ouch! 😨

For many aspects of life, people argue that size doesn't matter. Bigger doesn't always mean better. But in the case of this game, I beg to differ. Bigger, as in larger screen size (also RAM), will provide a better experience. At least that's how it's played out for me. 🤭

Those with a bigger stature–hence, bigger hands–will likely agree to this. Pokémon Café ReMix plays entirely using our fingers. I often found myself touching the wrong icons on my regular-sized phone's version compared to the larger-sized Switch's screen. I imagined the precision would increase further if we played it on Switch OLED, Switch 2, or even wider-screened tablets. And most definitely, that ended up being the case. I borrowed my brother's tablet to test it out. The visuals looked more vibrant, and linking the icons felt more comfortable. 🤩

Somehow, the Switch version ran smoother during gameplay. Maybe because the console is designed only as a gaming hub. Unless we go to the extreme and delete any other apps on our phone, turning it into a gaming phone only, perhaps? 😅

That aside, the mobile version does have its convenient upside, at least in my case. Each Event offers a one-time Skip button that resets daily. Since my region doesn't have a dedicated Nintendo eShop, that handy feature could NEVER work on my Switch. It's disappointing, for sure, because the feature helps a lot in the more grindy events. It allows players to claim a free reward/progress based on their highest score so far. 🙆🏻‍♂️

That is particularly efficient for the Cook and Collect mini-game, which activates around 3 days before an event ends. In this mode, players get the chance to recruit Gholdengo in the long run. True to its title, the main event stages will now include Gimmighoul Coins to collect. Using the one-time Skip button speeds up the coin-gathering process. With one touch, you'll get around 15-20 Coins (of the 50 daily limit) in mere seconds. And considering one stage often only drops 1-5 Coins lately, you can imagine how annoyingly repetitive this has been on my Switch run. 😣

On the mobile phone, although the game often refuses to connect to Google Play (Android version for me), it will eventually do so. So, the one time Skip helps save time and reduces the grind. With that reasoning, playing on a tablet might be the most convenient way to have this benefit, with the comfort of a wider screen. The best of both worlds? ✌🏻😀

Speaking of both, however, I've reached the most glaring issue regarding versions. The inability to maintain progress between versions! 😤

It's a baffling decision that continues to irk me to this day, five years and one month after launch. Why can't I transfer my progress in the Android version to Switch and vice versa? I even have to create a new account just to try the Switch version, and later, another one, for the tablet one. To pour more salt into the porridge, the game requires an internet connection after becoming Café ReMix! Yet, no one in Genius Sonority has figured out how to sync progress across platforms. My goodness... 🤦🏻‍♂️😑

***Tips Time***

Cook to Collect mode is only available for three days before one Event ends. Beyond that, the app will state it's "outside the collection period". So, if you have limited time, I suggest focusing on your play whenever this mini-game is available. 

Much like in Pokémon Scarlet/Violet or Pokémon GO, getting a Gholdengo requires A LOT of Coins. The limited duration of this mode in Pokémon Café ReMix makes it even more ridiculous, considering you'll only get a maximum of 150 or 200 per Event. I forgot how many months it took me to recruit the golden ghost!

For that reason, allow me to brag a bit. I'm just TWO Events away from fully completing the 4,995 Coins required to clear Collect with Gholdengo. That means around late August, right? I simply CANNOT WAIT to get this over with and complete the golden quest once and for all. 

******

A Sweet and Salty Result

As the concluding part, I naturally need to weigh the good and the bad and offer my final verdict. You know, like that judging time in the Master Chef series. Hahaha. 😋

For starters, I have to commend Genius Sonority for adding a "sense" of replayability to a game with such a simplistic construct. It DOES keep the game alive, annoying every competitive player during Pokémon Presents. I mean, again, this game has always been rooted to shut down. So, the fact that it's still moving like a steady choo-choo train is truly something. Bravo! 😌👍🏻

Nevertheless, it's sad to admit that effort doesn't always or even necessarily translate into engaging gameplay. The game sacrificed its laid-back, "casual for all" nature to include time-gated missions/events, all the while pushing hard on the broken Gacha format. As mentioned earlier, it churns out one Event after another without giving a proper break. Because of this, it sometimes feels like being trapped in a marathon race that doesn't seem to end, especially for those with the FOMO mentality. A loop of grind may be a fitting way to describe it. 😵

The newly introduced Café Customization seems sweet. But even this may become a double-edged sword as well. On the one hand, I like how it allows players to personalize their café layout by mixing and matching elements. Moreover, it gives purpose to play the game, as the decorations can be unlocked through playing the Events. But on the other hand, I'm cautiously worried the developer will eventually monetize this. 😟

For now, all of the new decorations can be obtained without much grinding. Who knows what will happen now that the 5th Anniversary is out of the picture? I mean, lo and behold, the Summer event has already started yesterday! Besides adding a new free Costume for Jigglypuff and introducing Sea Captain Lapras as a Special Delivery, there will be new decorations, too! 🤯

(Source: The Pokémon Company)

So, "Should I play this game?" 😲

The answer, as always, depends on your preference. How about giving it a try to see if the flavor fits your palate first? Still, here are some final notes from my standpoint. 📝👇🏻

Pokémon Café ReMix works best for those who like or are a fan the franchise, but maybe aren't dedicated enough to walk the extra mile (Pokémon GO), invest on characters (Pokémon Masters EXE), outrageously competitive (Pokémon UNITE and soon, Pokémon Champions), or spend 999+ hours hunting Shiny mons (Pokémon Violet. Please don't judge me on that. I'm close to completion on Pokémon HOME! 😅). It's a very casual game that is, well, just CASUAL. That's the charm, but also the problem. The game's not deep. It's just GRINDY. 🙄

Of course, that just means the handle is in your hands. Yes, there is a risk you MIGHT miss out on an exclusive recruit or Costume if you don't play diligently (not just daily logins, like I do with Pokémon Masters or Pokémon GO now). However, whether you wish to take a break or not, that's still YOUR CALL. After all, you're supposed to be the MASTER and OWNER of this café, not the other way around. Nobody will judge you if you step out a bit to cleanse your palate. At least I won't, knowing that even a small serving of this game can be a mouthful. 😩

While there are goals you can pursue to motivate you to keep playing, you can really pick it up and leave it any time you wish. And despite the portions of complaints I've filed above (Yo, manager! You're ignoring a customer here!), in the end, they may not even matter to you. The game probably won't ever annoy you as much as it did to me, a self-proclaimed natural critic. It's all about managing expectations, self-restraint, and cravings, I suppose? 😉

If you don't mind the repetitive nature of doing the same stage over and over again (even when the experience in each one will be distinct)? Then you may enjoy all those grinding for points/items to recruit new Staff Pokémon, Costumes, and café decorations. However, if you're looking for nuanced gameplay, with well-written storytelling and the depth of exploration that unlocks a variety of exciting areas? It would be wise to steer away from this game. You won't find those here! 🙅🏻‍♂️

Art-wise, some Pokémon make a great fit for this game's aesthetics. I was never fond of Cresselia, but her design in Pokémon Café ReMix is simply pretty and adorable. I'm crossing my fingers that her shadowy counterpart, Darkrai, will make its way to the café, too. I'll at least keep playing until that day, who knows when, arrives. What can I say? I'm a semi-art guy who likes pretty–albeit petty–things. 😅

For what it's worth, there's indeed sweetness to Pokémon Café ReMix to balance out the bitter brews. At the very least, it hasn't given me any sour aftertaste. Just... salty, sometimes. Hahaha. 😝

Friends for Life, Not Just a Summer or a Spring

After taking some time off to focus on my health, followed by a couple of weeks of technical hurdles (internet issues 🤦🏻‍♂️) among others (extended writer's block 😩), this derailed and delayed piece is finally here. 🙏🏻

Writing is like that, I suppose? We can't just write when mental fogs are clouding our brains. Honestly, though, I'm not fully convinced this piece has expelled any traces of them. Somehow, it was so slow, even slower than usual, getting back into my headspace. Also, the fact that English is not my first language didn't help, as I had to restart my thought process in a literal daze. But at least I’m well enough to get back to my regular programming. So, bear with me if this ever feels choppy. 🙇🏻‍♂️

"I Don't Have to Say a Word to You"

What did you just say? Did you think the title for this one sounds cool? Well, thank you. Even so, I won't take any credit for it. Such a poetic line only instantly came to mind while I was preparing the first draft of this. Or, to be precise, the post that split into two—the first one published precisely two months ago, with this one serving as the second part. Eventually, I decided to preserve the sentence as the title as well. 🤭👍🏻

Anyone who grew up in the 90s is probably already familiar with the source of that line. But if you were born in the late 2000s or later, the line probably doesn't quite strike a chord, despite having been covered by newer recording artists up to 2020. Indeed, it originated from a famous song. And this is the song I'm referring to:

(Source: Olympics)

Sarah Brightman and José Carreras performed this timeless classic during the closing ceremony for the 1992 Summer Olympics in Barcelona. That's 33 years ago, eh? I feel so old. Hahaha. 👴🏻😅

Andrew Lloyd Webber composed the song, with Don Black writing the lyrics. It gained more popularity due to the upbeat cover version by the Spanish music group Los Manolos. 🎤🎶

The song title "Amigos Para Siempre" also served as the grand motto of the grand sports event. If you're like yours truly, aware of even basic Spanish, that title should make sense right away. It means "Friends for Life"—a simple yet profound statement that mattered more than it seemed poetically. 🙏🧡

In what way? The 1992 Summer Olympics were a return to form following the end of more than 40 years of the Cold War. South Africa was also in the process of dismantling its Apartheid law (the new era, marked with Freedom Day, hadn't even begun until two years later). However, the country could already rejoin the Olympics at the time. It might not be wrong to say the world was in a "better place" that year, and the grand event symbolized a reunion of countries and all things good again. 🗺️🎉

Those were just some of the notable reasons many praised the Barcelona Games and why the legacy is still remembered to this day—including the motto and anthem, naturally! Of course, I don't have to say a word more about history. That's also not my field of expertise. Instead, this song came to light because of its theme: friendship. More importantly, true friendship. 👥🧡

"You Seem to Know Whatever Mood I'm Going Through"

Initially, the whole exploration of loneliness was the first half of this piece about friendship. But as you might have sensed or read, that belonged in its own space. Posting that first part was nothing breezy. And after finalizing and publishing it, I still ran into articles that further opened my eyes to the facets of loneliness, whether it's the ordinary or something much deeper. 😟

In this one, I'm shifting the focus to one of the remedies for such a heavy struggle. One solution to counter one's loneliness is by having a good support system. Still, as I also pointed out in the same post, this isn't as easy as it sounds. 🙄😞

People call themselves lonely for various valid reasons. One is the ironic lack of friends to confide in or even interact with. Via Big Think, Richard Reeves declared this situation the friendship recession. And let's be real. Nowadays, that has already stood out as a glaring issue. Making friends can be a challenge on its own. In certain cases, the choice to dismiss the idea of having any friends may even be considered acceptable—or make more sense. 🤔🤷🏻

Unsurprisingly, friendship also doesn't become easier as we grow up. Somehow, childhood innocence helps simplify the connection process. But maturing usually heralds the arrival of bigger roles, heavier responsibilities, broader focuses, which eventually push our carefree innocence away. Without realizing it, we start to feel we've aged out of friendship. Trying to relive those fond feelings may seem like an equally herculean task. 🚸🚫

It doesn't help that the modern world doesn't, well, "help" with that innocent desire. The world is not always kind to everyone, despite seemingly otherwise. Derek Thompson, also on Big Think, proposed that this era we're living in now is the Anti-Social Century. He does have a point. Over time, society has become accustomed to choosing aloneness. The advancement of technology has created a bizarre progression: the more it helps simplify our lives, the more it seduces us into solitude, whether we want it or not. 🤦🏻‍♂️🙅‍♀️

Such growth of access poses a second side effect. Much like how love has often been romanticized, friendship isn't any different. We've been conditioned by TV shows, movies, or novels—now only a click away on our palms—about how the ideal friendship plays out. There's a surreal sense of illusion from these works of fiction that may have polluted our perceptions, whereas real life doesn't necessarily behave that way. ✨🤩

I'm not gonna lie, I fell (and likely still fall, now and then) into that exact mindset. Sometimes, a random encounter with someone with such a sunny personality and charisma can put me in a frenzy. I instantly wish to be friends with that person, and, in that state of elation, I usually end up becoming too passive-aggressive. If this is a rom-com, the whole interaction usually (or at least eventually) leads to a happy ending as quickly as the next episode. But in actual life? Any relationship, including friendship, needs to be a two-way, mutual, and not one-sided exchange. ⚖️🤝

That's the thing, though. It takes time to let real friendship simmer in a pot, building up into a solid block. And by real, that refers to the people who will know what we feel, or whatever mood we're feeling, even without a verbal announcement from our mouth or body language. That kind of friendship feels somewhat impossible to achieve immediately. How could that even happen if people are too glued to their phones instead of observing others' physical emotions, anyway? 🙄🤳🏻

In most cases, instant treatment would not work for friendship, even if we live in an "everything is instant" world. Seriously, it takes mere seconds to "Add" someone as a "Friend." But it also takes the same amount of time to "Unfriend," without any warning, explanations, or a proper goodbye. Can we even call that friendship? More like Fake Friendship! Fakeship? 😅

"The Way I Feel and How the World is Treating Me"

Aaah, Fake Friends! That unique convergent variety DOES exist. They are people who swoop in, fast and furious, for the sake of their personal gains. If they have anything they need from us, then it's certain they are always around. They would be on our side when we're on top of the world, only to vanish without a trace once we're stuck in a rut. Some even rub more salt into our wound, as their intention to befriend us was never pure or out of the goodness of their heart. 😈💔

These devils in angelic disguise generally inflict more harm on someone's mental state than people assume. It's a blatant form of betrayal that casts and spreads doubts on the pure meaning of friendship. The phenomenon is so widespread that Psych2Go published a video dedicated to overcoming the negative side effects of Fake Friends.

(Source: Psych2Go)

I can attest to that from my experiences, having encountered different kinds of fake friends (regrettably, maybe a little more often than I would have wished 😣). Because of people like those, I once stopped believing in real friendship for a lengthy period of my life. It took a while to restore my faith in humanity. 😥😌

Still, that doesn't automatically mean EVERY friendship is bad, more so, evil. Friends come in various forms and shapes. Please don't forget that genuine connections can transcend species. Your bond with your animal companions, or even Mother Nature, is a form of friendship, too. 🦮🌅

But if we're limiting it to ones with another human being? As much as none of us will ever be a carbon copy of another person, the same fact ripples to how unique they can be as a friend. Each individual we encounter will offer a distinct style or flavor of friendship to the table. 🌻🌳

One friend probably keeps us updated through constant mentions on social media. Some may take days to reply to our messages, yet they always come through. Others take longer to check in (perhaps weeks, if not months!), but never truly drift apart. While a few light up our rooms with their sunny presence, the introverts think and keep us in their prayers from the shadows of silence. Perhaps they even overthink our well-being each night prior to sleep. I mean, that's something you can expect me to do. Ahahaha. 😅

Watch these short movies, starring the talented Lewis Pullman, as a nice example. In the poignant first movie, Guzzle Buddies, we can witness the varying ways people act under the banner of friendship. Some would go to lengths to be there for their friend, while others don't reciprocate that care in the same way.

(Source: No Budge)

The second short, The Voice in Your Head, depicts a different scenario. In this twist of a story, we can observe how—despite plenty of ignorant people surrounding the main character—one steps up above the rest as a good person. On top of that, there's a bigger surprise down the line. Someone so annoyingly critical and negative (depicted as the "inner voice" here) doesn't necessarily mean they are a fake friend. Instead, that kind of blatant, harsh honesty may be precisely what the main character needs.

(Source: Shorts of the Week)

Likewise, each of us has our own criteria for what constitutes a good friend. Maybe one prefers a person who openly professes their care? Who can catch our mood just by sensing the subtle changes in communication? It's also not wrong to choose ones who tend to overshare. They can be more appealing, as they orbit around us with sheer honesty and zero filters! Or perhaps the opposite of those is more desired: someone who may be emotionally unavailable? To connect in mutual silence that respects and values space and privacy more than ever, even if that might be considered a red flag in general. 🤔💡

In short, for every fake friend, there will be a good one, too! And eventually, we will know how to decide the ideal ones that better fit our personalities. The ones who will treat us with care, dignity, and heart—or the ones who feel for our feelings. Don't forget! NOT being a fake friend would, and SHOULD, still be the bare minimum in any option. 👎🏼👍🏻

"I Feel You Near Me Even When We Are Apart"

Like the multitudes of nature of its participants, friendship does not happen on fixed timelines or circumstances either. There's no dictating how it plays out. It comes and goes on its own accord. Some bonds happen almost instantly upon a chance encounter. It's as if the universe has aligned two soulmates at the same time and space. For others, such a connection may take months, if not years, to finally develop. 🕰️📅

Actors Sebastian Stan and Anthony Mackie met in 2013, in the production of Captain America: The Winter Soldier. In that action espionage movie, they acted as adversaries connected to the titular character. The characters' interaction soon evolved into a blossoming but budding rivalry that catapulted itself into one of the most iconic bromances in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Mirroring such a deep on-screen bond, Sebastian and Anthony have been close friends until now. They continue cheering and supporting one another despite being busy with their own projects. 🙌🏻🤝🏼🙌🏾

Writer and producer Tina Fey, with fellow actor and comedian Steve Carell, are a good example that helps prove the extreme. People might have assumed Hollywood's renowned would have been closely involved for a long time. They did star in a comedy movie together! Well, believe it or not (I'm being sarcastic 😂), they are human beings like us. In a recent interview with Entertainment Weekly to promote their new comedy-drama series, The Four Seasons, both shared how it took them not 1, or 3, but 15 long years to become friends. Despite their brilliance in drawing laughter from the audience, their shared shyness built an invisible wall that kept them at bay. ⛔😄

If both modern friendships above emerged from the glitz and glam, a completely different scenario occurred for Kosuzu Harada. Her empowering friendship with Ari Beser started through an uneasy, harrowing, raw connection that dated back to 1945. Kosuzu's grandfather survived the atomic bombs (yes, plural!) that decimated Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Ari's grandfather, on the other hand? He was the "hero" pilot who dropped the bomb. 💥😱

In a troubling era where people and communities everywhere are easily divided by hatred toward simple differences, Kosuzu and Ari prove that friendship flourishes regardless of race, language barriers, and painful history. Their unlikely 2013 meeting turned into a bond of trust and respect united by a shared dream—one that may not forget or forgive the past, but forge a better future for the next generation. 🕊️🙏

(Source: NHK-World Japan)

Besides race or language, location is often mentioned as a possible challenge to forming lasting friendships. Fascinatingly, that's not always the case. That’s no longer the case, thanks to technology. Good friends can still find themselves near despite being physically apart. 👋🏻💻

London-based science writer David Robson first met Palermo native, cultural journalist Alessia Franco, in a remote Italian village. The Mediterranean meeting was worked out merely for the sake of work. However, months later, that seemingly small seed of encounter sprouted into a deeper connection. 🌱🌲

Since then, David and Alessia have proclaimed each other as siblings. They have written together, frequently brainstorming ideas, and maintained a close connection. What's so great about this bond? The two RARELY met in person. They stay connected from the comfort of their homes in their respective countries! 🔗🌍

As the fifth, final, and finest example, it would be remiss not to include a much-loved religious figure who the world sadly lost on April 21, 2025. The late Jorge Mario Bergoglio, or as we've known him more as Pope Francis, was praised as a gentle "friend of the poor, the dispossessed, and the marginalized" by many. And that was not just sugarcoating things. Pope Francis equally encouraged Christians around the world to do the same—to be a friend for those in need, regardless of differences. 💛🌐

The late Pope Francis served as the perfect paradigm of the motto and anthem I chose as the title. How so? Anyone who followed the public Funeral Mass procession would notice one person who likely stole everyone's attention: French-Argentine nun Geneviève Jeanningros. ✝️

It didn't take a genius to understand that Pope Francis and Sister Jeanningros shared a genuine friendship, having delivered close to 20 years of services amongst the poor together. The late Pope even had a playful nickname for her, a symbol of her strong character. With that in mind, the Vatican allowed Sister Jeanningros to pay her respects closely. ⚰️⛪

Some stated it was an unusual exception, but I digress. That day, that week, the world lost a leader and an inspiring icon. However, Sister Jeanningros lost more than any of those. She lost her best friend. Friends for life, literally speaking, indeed. 👋🏻😢

(Source: The Independent)

"And We'll Share More, My Friend, We Haven't Started Yet"

Friendship is a complex construct, a concept that's continually tested through trial and error. The thing is, to some, it doesn't exist. No, maybe the more optimistic wording is "it hasn't started just yet." 😌🙏🏻

Circling back to the earlier points, true friendship has become harder to find. Otherwise, the loneliness epidemic I explored before wouldn’t exist, much less be on the rise. Would you agree? Trust has become a fragile commodity these days. To reiterate, friendship still counts as a relationship with others, without the added romance. It requires both parties—or at least one of them—to let their guard down and prepare for any consequences that may result. No doubt, it can be a scary process. While it can do good to our mental health, there's still the risk that it may hurt us instead. 😈😨

As such, I'm arguably NOT surprised that many, not just a few, are wary about it. Hence, they prefer the comfort of solitude, away from any possible drama. Well, there's nothing wrong with choosing that path, either! The kindest person doesn't always need many friends by default. Someone who seems like the life of the parties may turn out to be a pure lone wolf who only opens up with a select few, if anyone, at all. In fact, I've encountered plenty on social media who are proudly friendless and fine. For the same reason, engaging with AI services has also gained traction. Admittedly, it does sound too good to be true, as AI chatbots can be eerily supportive, attuned to the client's personality traits. On paper, at least. 👍🏻🤷🏻

But on the other side of the table, there are those who want, nope, CRAVE to have actual, physical friends. Alas, somehow, that seems like a daunting desire to fulfill to them. No matter how open they are to the idea, it hasn't materialized in real life. This fickle fact applies to any gender, despite the issue being more prominently reported among men. 😔🙇

The thing is, sometimes our minds are constrained by a specific ideal of friendship that ends up clouding our understanding of the matter. St.Denis Medical hilariously touched on this sensitive situation in episode 16 of its first season. 😉

Wendi McLendon-Covey's Joyce, the titular hospital's executive director, had this misguided perception of her acquaintance with Haneefah Wood's Megan. Megan, a pharmaceutical representative, approached Joyce as part of her work. However, Joyce assumed differently, thinking they were close friends, and not just business associates. Long story short (go watch the show, it's a delight!), the entire commotion with Megan over a new medical product helped Joyce understand who her real friend has been all along. 

While the episode was played for laughs, I think many of us may also relate to such an unfortunate reality, since we've all been in Joyce's shoes at some point in our lives. What I grasped and further stressed from that episode: we must train ourselves to have an open mind. As I detailed above, the type of friendships that can arrive on our doorsteps–virtual or literal–don't always fit with the image we prefer/have planted in our minds. The real deal can be completely different. By shifting our expectations, we may realize that, surprisingly enough, making friends isn't as difficult or elusive as we thought. Sometimes, it's already there in plain sight. 🤭🙆

In case you're thinking, "Easy for you to say!" No, once again, I wouldn't dare to claim or even pretend that I'm a pro when it comes to friendship. Quite the contrary, I've been in a spot where I actually lost faith in friendship–a fact I've openly mentioned earlier. Seriously, though, if I could change my views and believe in friendship again, then anyone, especially you, should be able to do the same. 👏🏻😀

There are various ways or methods to explore, which can help you plant the seeds of new friendships. It doesn't even require living next door, like those neighboring kids during your childhood. By optimizing the benefits of technology, you can build a bond and stay connected with someone from the other side of the globe! Who knows? That may even be your confidants for decades ahead. How about seeking and reaching out to an old friend, someone who left an unforgettable footprint on your heart? Maybe, they can reclaim their spot as one of your best friends in the long run! 🏆🥇

(Source: CBC Docs)

Of course, friendship is not a one-man show. It takes effort, even if it seems small and trivial, to keep alive. Kosuzu Harada and Ari Beser demonstrated that sincere, open communication can unite two seemingly opposing parties. Had none of them taken the leap of faith, trapped in the confines of their families' past, their friendship would never have happened. In response to Robin Dunbar's research about the pillars of friendship, David Robson and Alessia Franco jointly wrote, 

"Regular conversation–either face-to-face or remotely–predicts which friends are most likely to endure, but just as important are joint activities. Persevering on the same task appears to build a stronger sense of unity than talk for its own sake. Those joint tasks don't necessarily involve being in the same location, as our experience shows." 

Oh, but just to be clear, this isn't a master class on being a perfect friend. I doubt anyone can be one. Honestly, I will never consider myself as one. Perhaps even the opposite, as proven by the non-ghosts who have ghosted me. 👻😅👻

Just like you, I'm still working on my skills, slowly learning to, at the very least, be a decent friend to others. In fact, it's ongoing progress, a journey that can be as dynamic as a dream. You may never know if it's good or bad, maybe only a daydream in a delirious daze that doesn't truly happen once it dawns on you. 🏃🏻💭

We're all in this together, really. To try our best to be a friend to someone or welcome a friend. And once that's achieved, aim toward being a good friend. Over time? To grow and inspire as a better friend. You can start now, if you haven't yet! More importantly, you don't need to be a perfect friend to have the perfect friend. All you need to be is yourself and accept others for who they are, too. That alone is perfection in its own way. 😏💯

"Just Knowing You Are in This World Can Warm My Heart"

So, rejoice if you have people who want you as their friend. And trust me, you will know it when you do. Celebrate if you have a good person as a dear friend. Yes, you'll also know it when you do. 🙆🏾‍♀️🙋🏻‍♂️👀

But don't despair if you haven't found one. There's a time for everything. Patience leads to the right payoff, and good things come to those who wait. Stay calm and kind, and keep an open mind. You can start simple by paying more attention to your surroundings instead of your phone. Then again, maybe you need not look so hard, either. That one true friend you're looking for may already be a message away. 😉📱

When Don Quixote met Sancho Panza, he only needed a squire. Someone for hire, but not to be a friend. Then, over time, their bond began to grow, as they supported and changed each other. In the end, the loyal Sancho became the "perfect friendship" for Quixote, so much more than the Don could've asked for. Maybe your Quixote or Sancho is already on your side right now. It just needs time, attention, and a regular sprinkle of loyalty to let your bond with them evolve. 💛⏳🧡

The bottom line is that friendship may not be as magical as written in the words of fiction. And yet, a true one, at that, is also NOT impossible. Not every friendship lasts forever. That's a harsh reality we must accept and endure. But some, even if they often appear later in our lives, do. 📚⏳

When that happens, we will realize: it's a life-changing blessing. That friendship is real. And it is NOT a fairy tale. 😌🤗

"Amigos Para Siempre.... Means You'll Always be My Friend."

(Source: Andrew Lloyd Webber Musicals)

***

Dedicated to my friends across time zones and continents.

Thank you for your kind friendships that have kept me alive through my darkest days.

Falling Into... FLU?!

Sometimes a well-designed plan doesn't shape up into the reality it was intended to be. 🙄

In my previous post, I mentioned how my draft was split into two. The first being that exact post, while the second was supposed to go up on May 20 as its direct follow-up. But as you can see and check, there was NOTHING posted on May 20, a situation also happening on other aspects of my regular schedule. 😣🙇🏻‍♂️

What happened? 😟

Long story short, my health has prevented me from writing or doing anything that requires extensive sitting in front of my laptop. I've been too dizzy to do so. 🤧🤢

You want a longer version? Well, my last April post—the one about stumbling on writer's block—was probably an early sign of this situation. But it got really bad around May 10, when I went to my cousin's university graduation ceremony. Things were going fine until we got stuck in traffic on the way home. My head felt really heavy in the taxi, and I got completely knocked down the next day. 🛌🏻

And, reckless old me, instead of taking proper rest, I occasionally went on a doomscrolling loop on Threads and YouTube. Hence why the issue is still happening until now. Ahahaha. 😅🤦🏻‍♂️

The symptoms seem like the FLU. Maybe it's something worse, though. One of my pen pals has been hounding me to have it checked. I'm pretty sure if he lived nearby, he'd have already dragged my stubborn head to the nearest doctor. 🤭

Well, in my defense, it's not that I'm a stubborn guy (even if that DOES seem to be the case, ahaha 😏). It's just that I've had this before and the doctors never gave a clear diagnosis. Doctors usually conclude that it might be due to "overthinking," which made me overthink it, naturally. 😰🤔💭

That does NOT inspire confidence. 😩🙅🏻‍♂️

Would you agree? 😑

Anyway, so FLU is the not-really-accurate last resort I've decided to name this condition, as well as for the title of this post. Really, though, I'm just here to explain my absence. Also to express my hope that I'd feel better soon, so that I can continue posting properly again on June 10. Fingers crossed. 🤞🏻🙇🏻‍♂️

If you're wondering how I wrote this piece? I typed it all in bed after taking a headache pill. 😅🤷🏻‍♂️

Oh, hey! That makes it my first post in this blog prepped and published from my phone! Way to go, me. Hahaha. ✌🏻😝

Okay, I spoke too soon. The headache's returning. See you soon... 😵

(Source: ChatGPT)

PS: I really should stop, or at least play less, on my phone and Nintendo Switch, huh? 😳😅

Forlorn but Not Forgotten

If this post were a Pokémon, then what you are reading is its Mega Evolution form. This has gone through repeated evolution since the first draft. And even a discarded part became a short post I published at the closing of last month. Shedinja, much? 😅

Although, if I'm being more precise, maybe a split evolution equally makes a good fit, too. 🤔

Think of it like how my first "Fool's Errands" about Pokémon GO turned into a three-parter (plus one). 😂🤷🏻‍♂️

But in what way does that apply to this post this time? Allow me to backtrack for a bit. ⏳

In March, I rambled—er, shared a bit about how certain connections, including friendship, usually change or shift like the changing seasons. That post actually had more details and examples that I had to omit for simplicity. I figured they might come in handy for future rants about the topic of friendship. Who would've ever guessed it would be repurposed so soon? And the reason came in twofold. ✌🏻

Wait! Am I lonely?

Firstly, it resurfaced after I watched this video from Psych2Go. 👇🏻

(Source: Psych2Go)

Note: That was a new version of this video from two months ago.

Generally, videos from this psychology channel are insightful and, in many cases, spot on. This one, however, made me go, "Huh?" And admittedly, not the kind of nice "Huh." 🤨

Nothing against the channel, of course. I suppose it was seeing the presented points, plus some questionable sources for the explanation, that triggered a confused reaction. Besides, around eleven days later, the channel released this Quiz that probably helped explain my defensive reaction:

(Source: Psych2Go)

My final tally fit in the second category: "Some Loneliness." 

While the result also made me go, "Huh," the explanation does make more sense this time. Excluding the contradictive "online communities might help you expand it" advice, that is. Because they said in the previous videos that online relationships "may point to loneliness." 🤔

And, indeed, that last point was what prompted my irked reaction, honestly. 🤨🙅🏻‍♂️

Most of my frequent interactions nowadays are with my virtual friends, whether they are my long-time pen pals or through messaging services. Everyone I know in real life is either super busy at work and/or new family, or they have unconsciously retreated into the shadows, away from social media. It is mostly my virtual friends who somehow stay present. And I know they deal with challenges in their daily life, much like the ones I know physically. 😬

Therefore, I might have immediately felt annoyed that my situation is called "Lonely." Unlike years ago, I actually no longer feel alone or lonely. 🤔

Like the advice on the Quiz said, online communities DID help to expand my circle. I even found actual friends who are there for me for no reason at all. 

We support and check in on each other frequently, despite the distance and different time zones. We may not be able to provide a physical hug in times of need. However, a simple virtual hug makes up for it. And, seriously, knowing and being repeatedly reminded that someone out there worries and thinks of your well-being and safety is enough to put my mind at ease. 😌🙏🏻

If that's not what friendship is? Then I really don't know what can be considered as one. 😐

As ironic as this sounds, they are generally more reliable and trustworthy than those who are near. Hence why I don't mind that "Some Loneliness" result. In a way, it IS accurate. 😅🤷🏻‍♂️

(Source: Psych2Go)

Wait! Maybe I'm not alone at this?

That said, it's super easy to assume that I'm the only one feeling a certain way. But this whole thing truly got me thinking. People are always connected, maybe even TOO connected, 24/7 now. Suffice it to say everything is ONLINE. 😶🤳💻

You've probably noticed it, too. People hanging out together, but everyone is glued to their phones, swiping—or worse, doomscrolling—through social media, checking out what their mutuals are posting? A family gathering where several individuals are giggling at a meme posted by a faraway friend instead of reacting to the lousy Dad Joke someone just said out loud? A couple dining at a fancy restaurant, but their minds are at their respective bestie's parties? There are people with millions of followers and mutuals online, but fewer than a few, or even no one, to talk to in person. 😦

In this digital age, there are A LOT of those! 😳

Doesn't that also count as virtual connections? So, does this mean everyone is lonely in a way? After all, it IS said to be a "sign of loneliness." 🤔

Surprisingly, that's not far from the truth. A 2023 Meta-Gallup research concluded, "Nearly one in four people worldwide feel very or fairly lonely." Heck, even Psych2Go detailed this situation called "loneliness epidemic" in these separate videos:

(Source: Psych2Go)

For the record, this situation was initially dubbed the "male loneliness epidemic." Still, I fully agree with this Medium post, offering a different and more inclusive perspective on the matter. Loneliness is a UNIVERSAL issue that affects ALL genders equally. 🤦🏻😮🤦🏻‍♂️

The forms and causes, however? They may differ. While men might silently struggle with the feeling of being unlovable, women must wrestle with society's often-bizarre expectations of a superwoman who handles everything perfectly. 🙇🏻‍♂️😞🙇‍♀️

Really, though. One common trigger unites both sides. Despite the "social" naming, social media isn't always positive for your mental health. It can breed an unhealthy level of comparison, drain away self-compassion, and drown people in a toxic mindset.

In other words, loneliness is THAT widespread. A distressing state, indeed. That's actually the reason that pushed me to write this. 😬

(Source: Dr. Writer Lady)

Wait! What's the second reason?

Your keen memory is not fooling you. I did say there were two reasons for this post! That other reason is actually the trigger that split the original draft for this into two (or three, if you count the April 30 post). 🤭

Marvel Studios' Thunderbolts*! 🤩

I'm not going to spoil anything about the superhero movie, even if you're probably already spoiled by the numerous videos on YouTube or online reviews. But one thing I can say—and many people have clamored for it already. Amidst the one-liners and the clash of cool, choreographed action scenes, the movie tackles DARK, as in, seriously dark topics. Mental health! 😨🤯

That probably won't surprise you if you know who the director, Jake Schreier, is. He was the executive producer of the Netflix series "Beef," which also spotlighted deeply STRUGGLING characters. Steven Yeun, who won an Emmy in 2024 for his leading role in that show, was even set to play Bob, an integral character in Thunderbolts* before scheduling conflicts due to the 2023 actor's strike brought Lewis Pullman to take over. Pullman made Bob his own with his unique charm, by the way. 🤩

Thunderbolts* isn't flawless. Some potentials aren't explored as much as they could have (which may be a wise creative decision to balance out runtime or pacing). Even so, what it nails right is its relatable portrayal of emotional turmoils and the darkness inside its characters, especially Bob. Sometimes it's blatant and requires no explanation. Other moments, it's subtle and quietly metaphorical. This scene from the trailer, featuring Florence Pugh's Yelena Belova, is a good example of one. 😰😣

(Source: Marvel Entertainment)

I'm no expert in psychology, so I won't pretend to back this up with the proper theories or scholarly research. You can ask my psychology major friend for that. But many therapists have praised the movie's bold handling of the subject, including the unexpected approach to overcoming it. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻😲

Furthermore, to many audiences, such an internal issue had even hit home so much that it makes them "feel seen." I saw people crying while watching this movie in the theatre. And, honestly, I could relate to that myself. Maybe, like me, they understood why the characters behaved the way they did. Many others have also openly shared similar sentiments online. 🥺

That shared reaction made me realize that many people struggle in distinct ways. Mental health is an ordeal that many of us are facing. Thus, it makes even more sense why or how the loneliness epidemic could happen. Because, yes, loneliness is present in the movie, too. It's one of the clearer issues that Thunderbolts* does NOT sugarcoat. 😢

Wait! What if I feel alone?

That feeling you feel, FORLORN, is real. Forlorn is the cooler and more poetic word to describe that you are sad, abandoned, lonely, hopeless, or unfulfilled. But there's nothing cool or poetic about having it. Would you agree? 😓

Again, I'm no therapist, so this section is based only on my experience and others', be it offline or online. However, much like how the flawed and forlorn characters in Thunderbolts* find their way to "save" one another, that CAN BE YOU, too. 

What you need to do is reach out. Take a bold step forward, and find those who are real. And by reaching out, it doesn't always mean to other people. 🙏🏻🤝🏻

Maybe it's your inner self you need to befriend first. To face your internal demons that have been haunting you with despair, doubts, and daunting negativity. You may start with that. Or as my lecturer friend would say, "To not be too hard on yourself." To embrace your flaws and acknowledge your feelings as a valid part of you, instead of shoving them away like they mean nothing. Self-compassion is a powerful action. 😌👍🏻

Consulting with a licensed therapist is always encouraged. Even so, if you're reluctant and not ready to welcome other people in, how about giving that spot to other living beings? 😉

A tender tree that grows and does not grouch at you will stand beside you without shunning. How about a feline friend who purrs instead of preaching to you to do this or that? A canine companion who needs your smiles and does not numb your sanity is a good choice, too! 🌳🐈‍⬛🐕‍🦺

Looking for an outlet that excites your core can be your answer, too. Gaming? I don't see why not, especially if it's a good game. Learning a foreign language may also be your thing. From Spanish to Esperanto, the choices are abundant. Some say Bahasa Indonesia is one of the easiest, and if you're curious to prove that, I'm here to help. 😁

Hey, hiking on a hidden trail toward fields of flowers? Aligning yourself with Mother Nature? I think those will be fun and possess healing power! A good exercise builds your stamina and boosts your dopamine levels, not unlike dancing. Dancing is both a sport and an art. ⛰🤸‍♂️💃

And since we're sashaying to art? Painting with watercolors, strumming a ukulele! Heck, writing a blog LIKE THIS may exercise your artistic touches. 😆🎨🪕✍

(Source: Psych2Go)

There's no fixed, one-stop instant fix for all. A solution that works for me may not work for you. I may no longer feel as lonesome thanks to four things: writing, music, exercise, and my virtual friends. Maybe you'll find yours through different channels or approaches. Nothing is set in stone for this. Explore your passions! BE YOU! ✌🏻😁

But my one advice to you? Remember (or at least, try) to practice an open mind. To embrace whatever comes your way, that will work for you. A grand idea of a solution you think is perfect may never happen. Instead, the answer that comes knocking at your door often differs from anything you expected. But it'll unknowingly be just right for your case. It's an endless possibility. 🙂

Whenever you're ready, muster up your courage to open doors of interaction. Join a community of hobbies or interests in which you might find positive, like-minded people. The same hobbies I mentioned above will do just fine. Nerding out together about upcoming Pokémon games? You'll have a Great Ball with that. Exchanging words of encouragement in a language you learn together may be an exquisite exposition. Collaborating on composing music can strike a satisfying chord. 🎮🗣🎼

You can also try what I do: corresponding with pen pals across the world. It will open your eyes and expand your horizons to different cultures and daily challenges, along with the shocking similarities. You'll see that we may be different, and yet, not so different. 🌏✉🌎

(Source: Dr. Writer Lady)

Wait! Is it that easy?

Well, honestly, not really. 😅

No, it's NOT going to be easy, as people will be people. People can come and go. That's also your cue to start filtering the good from the bad, the noise from the harmony. The freedom is still in your hands. Don't ever forget that. 🙅🏻‍♂️

Many will casually say to you, "It will get better." 👍🏻

On the one hand, perhaps they are right. The motivational sentence came from a place of sincerity based on similar experiences they've overcome. 🤗

But in some cases, they may not be right or as kind as they seem. "It will get better" can be a throwaway line that people will resort to when they're being dismissive. In such a case, it may very well be a mask for "Meh, it couldn't be that bad. You're getting all worked up over nothing." After all, these people don't exactly know the kind of struggles you go through, as they aren't walking in your shoes. Yet, they still have this assumption that they know better. Sadly, this is a reality that does happen, as not every person is equipped with the capacity or empathy to care. 🤷🏻‍♂️😑

Regardless of which category, there's one definite fact. You CAN get stronger and wiser at dealing with your struggles. Whether on your own or through meeting other souls who offer genuine empathy and sympathy, you CAN learn to overcome them. 🙃👆🏻

The world is vast, and there are billions of people going about their days. You may feel alone, and I know how real that is. But if you stop and think about it with a clearer mind? Logically speaking, you're never truly alone. We might all be unique and different individuals. Yet, somewhere, out there, someone knows and understands what kind of hardship you're going through—even if not the entire picture. Or as my penguin pen pal often calls it, "Your people. Your tribe." Your kindred spirit. 😏🙌🏻🤭

Sometimes, you don't even need to try too hard. The right ones—those who genuinely care for you—may come to you instead. When they do, please open your heart and let them in! They will stand by your side, just to be there for you, until you see the light beyond the darkness, to pull you out from the void with compassion. Once you do so, you'll notice that heavy sense of loneliness feels lighter. And as I can attest, they may even return your faith in friendship again. In humanity! Maybe even make you feel loved and ready to love again. 😌🤗

Note: Remember, "they" can refer to more than just "another person." 😉

So if you're reading this and feel alone: Please—DON'T GIVE UP. Have faith that good things will come to you in their time. Keep reaching out. Somewhere along the way, you may find your answer: a sincere soul who SEES you, not as invisible, but as someone who MATTERS DEEPLY. And in time, you may say to one another, "You may be forlorn. But my dear friend, you'll never be forgotten." 😊

(Source: Michael Bublé)