- How do you play Pokemon games now you understand about all the underlying systems? Is there any merit in playing the way I am considering with a bred team?
Playing a standard in-game run through, knowing about the inner mechanics has not really affected me that much, though on occasion, I have actually EV Trained an in-game Pokemon on a couple of occasions - I even EV Trained two Pokemon in a HG Scramble Run once...Though the problem with EV Training an ingame mon is that it is it worth the time? The answer will likely be probably not. Unless you get something like Pokerus or a random shiny out of it like I did in the aforementioned Scramble in the case of the former, it is not really worth the time you waste - It generally tends to sap the fun of the game.
Rambling aside, generally, the point of in-game runs is to have fun. There is usually no point in wasting your time on EV Training a Pokemon. Trying to get good IV's on an ingame Pokemon is even worse imo as far as time-wasting is concerned (Unless you can RNG Abuse). Personally, only focus on EV's & whatnot after you have beaten the main game.
Personally, about your in-game run, it is your choice, but trying to EV/IV Train in-game Pokemon is not fun.
- Why do you play Pokemon? Do you ever come close to recreating that initial buzz that got you into Pokemon in the first place?
As a user playing since Gen I, Pokemon has been part of my life for so long that it is fairly hard to give it up. The initial buzz you get from a new Pokemon Game is really good, but it will never top the initial buzz you get from the first time you played a Pokemon Game.
- Would you go back to ignorant bliss if you could?
No. Knowing about the underlying mechanics significantly improves your ability to play in-game effectively, imo. Though once you know about the mechanics, it is hard to forget them. Personally, it is better to not go back.
- Are there any of you out there who have always known, who never had that simpler experience?
No one else I know has any idea about EV's & whatnot, so...Also, I never knew about EV's & whatnot until Diamond/Pearl...