Unleashing Luxray's Electrifying Powers: The Astonishing Secrets Behind Detective Pikachu's Most Loyal Companion
Detective Pikachu Returns' Luxray Power: A justified ability from previous Pokemon games, the inclusion of Luxray's X-ray vision adds depth to the story, making it a well-deserved and intriguing element
Highlights
Luxray, the final evolved form of Shinx, plays a prominent role in Detective Pikachu Returns as an ally to the titular Pikachu and Tim Goodman.
Luxray's ability to see through walls may appear arbitrary, but it is a well-established aspect of the Pokemon series, documented in numerous Pokedex entries.
Having been overlooked in previous games and media, Detective Pikachu Returns finally grants the well-deserved recognition to Luxray, rendering it an essential experience for enthusiasts of this Pokemon.
Detective Pikachu Returns took the Pokemon franchise by surprise with its unexpected release this year. Despite minimal fanfare and a lack of updates, the sequel to the original 3DS game made its comeback during the June 2023 Nintendo Direct and was later released. However, critics have criticized the game for its simplistic nature, which seems to cater more to younger audiences than the dedicated Pokemon fans who have been enjoying similar games for years. Nonetheless, the game provides a relaxing experience for older players.
Amidst its flaws, Detective Pikachu Returns impresses both critics and fans with its ability to immerse players in the world of Pokemon. Throughout the game, players have the opportunity to encounter numerous iconic creatures, some of which play an active role in the story. For instance, Luxray, the final evolved form of Shinx, becomes a helpful Pokemon with the unique ability to see through walls and objects. While this may initially seem strange, this ability is actually a well-established fact within the broader Pokemon series.
Luxray the Gleam-Eyes Pokemon
Luxray's ability to see through walls has become a lesser-known fact as Pokemon's 4th Generation gradually lost its popularity over the years. This ability is so integral to Luxray, in fact, that it is included in its classification as the "Gleam-Eyes Pokemon" and is mentioned in most of its Pokedex Entries in every game it appears in.
Despite being a defining characteristic of Luxray, it is understandable that fans may have forgotten about this ability and felt that it came out of nowhere in Detective Pikachu Returns. Although Luxray and its previous evolutions have been available in every Pokemon game, even after the National Dex was reduced, Detective Pikachu Returns is the first game in a long time where Luxray has played a significant role in the story, as its prominence has diminished since Generation 4.
Detective Pikachu Returns Featuring Luxray Feels Convenient, But It's Deserved
Luxray's ability to see through walls and objects makes it a perfect fit for a game centered around sleuthing in Detective Pikachu Returns. This unique trait is not just thrown in for the sake of the game's stealth missions, but rather a well-suited characteristic of Luxray. Despite being popular starter Pokémon in the Sinnoh region for over a decade, Luxray and its pre-evolved forms, Shinx and Luxio, haven't received much attention in the series.
Similar to other long-standing Pokémon in the franchise, Luxray and its lower forms have had some recognition over the years, but nothing that truly made them stand out. In the Pokémon X and Y anime, Clemont had a Shinx that eventually evolved into a Luxray. However, even with the endearing nature of this critter on his team, characters like Ash and Serena took the spotlight for that particular series. Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of Time and Darkness featured a tribe of Luxray, but the more popular Explorers of Sky version replaced them with a group of Manectric.
Luxray has often been sidelined in favor of other Pokemon and characters, despite being set up for a more significant role multiple times. Therefore, its prominent presence in Detective Pikachu Returns feels like it's been a long time coming. While there might be some shortcomings in the game's gameplay, Luxray enthusiasts can finally rejoice as their favorite Pokemon finally takes center stage. You can now experience Detective Pikachu Returns on Nintendo Switch.
