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Are They Making Way Too Many Pokemon Games?
3 years ago
--> My T.O.S. <--
Haven't played any Pokemon games for ages but I'm still keeping up on what's being released and how they all look.
So, my biggest problem with these games and why I don't play them anymore, is just that they are
a) just the same one game over and over again and
b) looking so unbelievably unpolished.
I'm uuusually not one to go for good graphics only, heck one of my favorite games is Minecraft and I've thouroughly enjoyed
Realm of the Mad God for years (till frustrations happened). But it looks to me like they are not even trying to make the 3D games
look good anymore.
Sword / Shield
Legends of Arceus
Scarlet and Violet which they announced recently
(maybe some other ones or DLCs that I missed in between, also not too well versed with the 2D releases)
They all, without fail, look like they came from a console somewhere between the Nintendo 64 and the Gamecube, like this uncanny
valley of graphics, and they don't seem to be trying to improve on those either, it's the exact same for all those 3D releases. They are
Switch games, I think the Switch can handle just slightly better graphics, like Breath of the Wild, which was also simplistic in its style, but
the art direction just made it look really, really good.
Aside from the graphics I've also heard that the storylines are basically nonexistent anymore, just the blandest they could be and that
makes me a bit frustrated because, clearly one of the highest grossing franchises in the world could make a better product, but they actively
choose not to because people will buy anything with "Pokemon" in the title anyway. Like literally every single comment on the Scarlet/Violet
trailer I just saw reads "Oh my god this looks so good" and I'm just sitting there thinking "what the hell is wrong with people's eyes!?"
It's just that I'd really love to see them take a break from releasing these unfinished games, not talk about pokemon for a few years at all and
then just release one really, really good game, instead of what they are doing right now. Maybe that's just the kid in me still wishing to see a
Skyrim-esque Pokemon game for once, I mean the technology is definitely there, maybe, I don't know.
On a foot note, it's the same problem with weekly anime releases, looking at One Piece and Naruto/Boruto specifically. Just stop, take a break and
then make only 12-24 episodes actually worth watching instead of one every week that's basically just wasted budget and time.
Aaaaand that's my quick take on pointless things to worry about~
More about this in my upcoming magazine: "The Woof and why you should pet him"
So, my biggest problem with these games and why I don't play them anymore, is just that they are
a) just the same one game over and over again and
b) looking so unbelievably unpolished.
I'm uuusually not one to go for good graphics only, heck one of my favorite games is Minecraft and I've thouroughly enjoyed
Realm of the Mad God for years (till frustrations happened). But it looks to me like they are not even trying to make the 3D games
look good anymore.
Sword / Shield
Legends of Arceus
Scarlet and Violet which they announced recently
(maybe some other ones or DLCs that I missed in between, also not too well versed with the 2D releases)
They all, without fail, look like they came from a console somewhere between the Nintendo 64 and the Gamecube, like this uncanny
valley of graphics, and they don't seem to be trying to improve on those either, it's the exact same for all those 3D releases. They are
Switch games, I think the Switch can handle just slightly better graphics, like Breath of the Wild, which was also simplistic in its style, but
the art direction just made it look really, really good.
Aside from the graphics I've also heard that the storylines are basically nonexistent anymore, just the blandest they could be and that
makes me a bit frustrated because, clearly one of the highest grossing franchises in the world could make a better product, but they actively
choose not to because people will buy anything with "Pokemon" in the title anyway. Like literally every single comment on the Scarlet/Violet
trailer I just saw reads "Oh my god this looks so good" and I'm just sitting there thinking "what the hell is wrong with people's eyes!?"
It's just that I'd really love to see them take a break from releasing these unfinished games, not talk about pokemon for a few years at all and
then just release one really, really good game, instead of what they are doing right now. Maybe that's just the kid in me still wishing to see a
Skyrim-esque Pokemon game for once, I mean the technology is definitely there, maybe, I don't know.
On a foot note, it's the same problem with weekly anime releases, looking at One Piece and Naruto/Boruto specifically. Just stop, take a break and
then make only 12-24 episodes actually worth watching instead of one every week that's basically just wasted budget and time.
Aaaaand that's my quick take on pointless things to worry about~
More about this in my upcoming magazine: "The Woof and why you should pet him"
It really is just the same game over and over. I looooove the Pokemon themselves, but I haven't kept up with the games much at all xD;
I love the series but it is very much withering due to greed and petty business practices— withering only in quality though as it’s more popular and successful than ever…
its always ; kids gets Pokemon, travels alone ( with 10 years ) catching all pokemon, becoming the champion..with nothing after that....its like your victory does not effect anything....it resets..so do speak...since you are not the champion after the win...for some reasons......also you fight an evil organization.....one that nobody else could defeat..but you..a 10y old can....
they really need to strive away from that main plot and try something new
No champions. It's open world-ish.
While I don't enjoy the gameplay myself as it removed and changed EVERYTHING. If you want a full rehaul, try that one.
Scarlet and Violet are supposed to continue this new gameplay line.
The Switch is already massively outdated and breaks on Sword and Shield. Arceus was made using SW/SH's engine. It breaks too. It's black screened during Nuzlockes and it has a lot of bugs(the Switch not the games). Until they make a game that can hold the 70gb of KH 3 or the 60gb of KH 1, they really shouldn't be making any games.
The Switch also cannot handle a new BotW, as much as the first one is loved, it bricks the system.
I respect your opinion, but the Gamecube handled bigger games than the Switch -and much longer ones too. Given my big boxy boy can run some low quality games that take forever to beat and also play Gameboy and GBA games on it. The Switch is not a step up, it's a step.
But you're missing out on Legends Arceus. Especially the amazing new gameplay. Sure it's got a more watercolour look but it's pretty rad(even if it's not my tea to play but watch the household play instead).
Then Gen 2 came out, Silver Gold Crystal... That was peak perfection. To not only have an interesting story, new sensible pokemon type, AND to travel BACK to Kanto to relive your adventures and see how you changed the region 2 years later... That was the best. Then Ruby Sapphire Emerald came out and they broke away from the feel the original 2 gave.
It wasnt impressive to me and I didnt enjoy it as much. Every generation since, it has felt like they add one new gimick to it but push the same game out again and again and again, only they lose creativity with each generation. Then Sun and Moon came out, and for the first time it felt new. No Gyms, no Elite Four, but instead you had this unique battle system for boss fights. However by that point the story was so dramatically reduced a child could see the ending at the start of the game. They got rid of challenge and gave in to hand holding.
Every game since has been completely horrible. Sword and Shield has been completely and utterly awful in almost every aspect. They did away with telling much of a story and hand held you literally the entire game to the very ending. Not an exaggeration. Arceus, their latest release, is something I did try and play again, but once more its story just isnt what it used to be. Sure its unique, but a unique factor isnt really going to keep me heavily invested in it. Macro pokemon was a major selling point for Sword and Shield, but if the gameplay is still the same, then its not anything new.
I just want them to focus on the Pokemon Mystery Dungeon games as those have such a significantly superior level of quality and craft that goes into them, gameplay and story wise. It doesnt hold your hand, and it instead lets you properly explore, something every other game has been steadily removing.
Thats just my (admittedly long) two cents on the matter. Im not looking forward to Violet/Scarlet.
Seriously, they need to return to the good spinoff days. Ranger, Stadium, Mystery Dungeon...hell, even Rumble.
Like I had, for a moment, a sparks of hope in Sword/Sheild when Leon say "Nope, kids do kids things, adults save the world" I was like OMG THEY ARE SMART. But ofc I knew at the end we'd save the world as usual.
Arceus, if you put aside the map graphics, is actually good. Pokemon are looking good, animation are nicely done, etc. The fact also that it was empty is, to my eyes, a normal choices somehow since humans are only starting to conquer their environment. But what itched me is again story was Meh. But gameplay was just very fun, a little Monster hunter like! Tho I would have get a true open world haha.
From what I saw of purple, I have hopes. Yes FLOOR is still disgusting as usual, but town looks good, they kept pokemon animation from Arceus, which is good! The wolrd is open (but I saw frame drops... But saw that in arceus and the game did run smoothly, so I'm not worried on that). I hope too story will be good, especially with the past of Spain, since its the country they have choose this time.
But let's just talk of the true problems. Time : Game freak want to get out at least on pokemon game PER YEAR. First at all, they nearly never hire devs. It's the same old team since years, that is surely constantly in crush. They have... HUGE AMOUNT of money, they could get a true AAA game team, but nah, they don't want.
Second is again accepting to have a pokemon game every two years. And I'm not talking only to game greaks choices. I... Have the feelings that fans also want 1 pokemon per year? It's not good? Looks at Xenoblade Chronicles. They are amazing games, amazing stories (yes I enjoyed 2, even If the dlc have a better story to my eyes haha), and they release a game every 5 years (beside between 1,X and 2) and they are just amazing, music, gameplay, design and story... Game freaks and fans should let devs have more times, and only then, we would get the pokemon we all dream of.
Sorry for the big commentary, but I had to say my thinking aaaa... Also *pats big doggo*
Pokemon needs to be given to a more capable team, and created to run on more capable hardware. It's been too many games now where I literally cannot bring my OG party with me into a new region (without paying for DLC added in later) Like...seriously, kids formed legitimate bonds with those pokemon, transferred them from game to game to continue their adventure, and then suddenly they're told "Oh yeah, you have to leave 5/6 of your friends behind cause we didn't have the space to include them, oh wait, we suddenly opened up some space, but it costs 10$"...that's not cool.
...just make a Pokemon game on PC, dangit. Nintendo, cross play is the future!
And as far as the mainline games go the most notable of them all is Legends Arceus because its finally pokemon taken to where it belongs, actually fun catching mechanics that incentivise actually catching every pokemon through more than just a grindy dredge.
The main issue I have with the mainline games is that they are constantly stagnant mostly gameplay-wise, the same thing over and over with a gimmick thrown in that we lose next gen most likely, maybe a tiny amount of QOL changes, Legends finally changed this bringing a whole new fun as heck gameplpay loop as well as a lot of QOL changes such as the abolishing of EV/IVs and change of just unfun mechanics like sleep and freeze. Allowing you to change moves without spending some special currency and at any time and making the pokedex more engaging too.
Not to mention changing it so evolutions are a thing you get told is available with a popup on the UI and can then do at any point, rather than having to constantly deny it at every level.
If they take over things from legends into the future games i have hopes at least for the gameplay side of things
1). New games and consoles are Expensive
2). The older games have a charm some of the newer games seem to lack.
Heck just the other day I went to a thrift store and got a haul of Ps1-ps2 games for $30. Mostly RPGs and the crowned gem Castlevania, Symphony of the Night.
I mean I am all for a remake if it makes the game better or more accessable than the original (ocarina of time for 3Ds). But if it's just selling nostalgia but lacks substance, then it is not worth the time.
Unfortunately I doubt they’ll do anything about this, pokemon is too big to fail and people will buy these games regardless of quality
I miss being able to be optimistic about pokemon, I haven’t felt that way in a long time and don’t think I will again unless serious improvements are made
I know graphics aren't everything but they shouldn't stick out like a sore thumb. Breath of the Wild is a five year old Wii U game and looks noticeably better than any pokemon game that has come out since.
I mean they're doing a new game every year, and they just announced gen 9 - which a lot of us have been waiting and hyping for since around gen 8 - yesterday that it's coming out this year. Not next year, not two years from now; this year.
They need to slow down and put more time into the games and take some pressure off of themselves instead of trying to meet these quotas
I mean for crying out loud Legends of Arceus came out this exact year and now later this same year they already plan on releasing gen 9??
The thing about the stories becoming bland seems largely true as well. Well at least in Sword and Shield. The story is pretty much "Unusual stuff is going on, but don't worry, we'll handle it. You just continue on your journey to becoming a pokemon master."
Though one thing I think you won't complain about is that more generations, means more pokemon, and thus new possible macro inspiration.
The 'end goal' of Pokemon became clear a while ago, it just exists to make the franchise owner money. There's a reason people have complained not just about those issues you listed, but more elsewhere and when the latest games came out with 3D graphics on the 3DS and later Switch, a very common complaint was the way the models appeared like and how they seemed to spend very little time developing it.
I 'retired' in Generation 4, especially when they announced remakes of previous games. There's something that no matter how hard you try, its very difficult to recover that magic that you did with something that while dated by today's standards, is still an experience in the people's eyes. Hell, there's a pretty nifty customization of Pokemon Crystal that runs on a ROM that caught my interest, more so than going out and buying a Switch to play the 'latest and greatest'.
Have you seen these before? Tyler might be a little unhinged but before the infamous algorithm put it on my front page, I had already suspected as such from Pokemon/Nintendo.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OYU51Gebx4w
And this second one rings a little too close to home due to watching an artist stream recently...while also having the first series of anime playing in the corner as ambience. That hit way too hard to the old nostalgia bone and makes me a bit jaded when I look at the story, lore, everything of the current generation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zqLoUmdUg0
I agree, I wish to see them stop and allow the creative sponge to begin much needed reinflation, but you know, the profiteers want their money, their payday...
The real problem, IMO, is twofold.
First, they've jumped on all of the most hated gaming trend bandwagons. Mobile app, pay-to-win mechanics, carved content, original content as DLC, etc., etc., etc.
The other problem is that they don't know how to expand further.
It used to be that, with each generation, the world itself got bigger and livelier.
Gen 2: Genders.
Gen 3: Weather.
Gen 4: Day/night cycles.
Gen 5: Seasons.
Then they drew a blank on what to ad with Gen. 6. And while not all of their features have been flops (I am eternally grateful for the addition of ride Pokemon and the removal of random encounters), they haven't really done anything that makes the world feel that much more alive like they used to.
Instead they've been jerking us around with stupid gimmicks like mega-evolutions, Z-moves and Dynamax. All of which we could tell from miles away would inevitably be discontinued, but they keep feeling the pressure to "ADD SOMETHING BIG!!!" and keep repeating themselves with it.
Yeah, I'm not bothering with the games anymore either. Thankfully, this is a multi-media franchise that, whenever one part goes straight to shit, can still be enjoyed another way.
I still think it was Gen. 6 when the problems really became evident though. And I still think the problem is that they keep thinking they need to ad something other than just new Pokemon to it.
And I don't want to completely discourage that train of thought, because that is how we got the systems that replaced random encounters and the need for HM slaves. They just need to learn that it should never been priority #1 to completely overhaul how the game feels and focus first and foremost on further building up the world.
Hey Game Freak! How have you not yet done a Pokemon based on a peacock or narwhal? Or a legendary based on the Sphinx or Cerberus? Or filled in your obligatory fossil inclusion with smilodon & woolly mammoth? Did it never occur to you because you were trying to reinvent the wheel?
...is one of the many things I'd love to yell at them.
Arceus was okay but it still felt kind of empty just like sword and shield to me. My hopes is they go back to the top down style until the figure out how to do open world right. One of the things great about open world is side quest and hidden stuff like weapons spells and stories. Pokemon only really has stories so for example in Arceus, a lot of the time if you do a side quest you get something mediocre like some candies for your money and it just doesn't feel worth it if that makes since. That's my thoughts on the matter atleast.
They also just don't have the resources to take on open world endvors yet. I would love for it to work out but with how they have been going at it I just don't have too high of hopes for the open world pokemon style yet
It does seem fast, but a three year cycle to the new generation is pretty normal. I was surprised, too, I’m usually a late adopter who easily loses track of time. I am curious what a longer production cycle would look like.
Definitely too soon after Legends, though. I’ve been wondering if Legends was a mainline with a formula shake-up or spin-off, but now it seems more like the latter. Did see a post saying that Scarlet and Violet would take cues from Legends regarding the overworld, let’s see what future trailers entail.
You are right to point out that each of the main generations of Pokemon games follows the same basic formula as the original games did back in the mid-90s. The formula is pretty stale. Having so many re-releases of previous generations of games just compounds that perception.
I'd love to see them do more with the franchise, but Nintendo seems pretty much set on Pokemon games being aimed at the same demographic they were targeting 25 years ago, and now that we're all a generation older ourselves, it's not really us.
Also you're not talking about graphics when talking about BOTW, you're talking about asethetics. It's hard to complain about how windwaker looks but if you strip away it's textures you'd find it about as high poly as the newest pokemon games really. And yes I'm going to make a FIRM distinction between the two unlike what some idiots think. Graphics is the poly count and smoothness of the models, Aesthetics is the textures and other details needed to make it look good or bad.
The D/P remakes were made by an entirely different company. Arceus is a damn good game and wasn't made by the core gamefreak team and S/V is being made by the main team.
The problem with the idea of just stopping for a while is the new games and the hype for the new games are needed to keep sales of the actual ticket items (merch) up.