#i do like these guys conceptually. would adapt into a new creature for sure

[ranticore]

caterpillar dragon from dragon website but with some actual caterpillar thrown in

[pokemonrebirth]

Sword, Shield and the National Pokedex

So I heard the news, and everyone else’s thoughts on it. And sure, at first I was pretty disappointed there isn’t (at least at the time of writing this) going to be full inclusion of Pokemon in Sw/Sh. But the more I think about it, the more I read, I can understand this decision.

I can’t possibly imagine the horrors of trying to code almost 1000 different Pokemon and any forms they might have, never mind adapting their models and animations to a newer game engine AND balancing them - battle wise - with any new creatures they put in. When the game was announced, it did seem their intention was to do that, but during the course of development there’s been a change of decision - possibly because they underestimated how much resources and legwork would be needed for the task. An unfortunate oversight if that is the case, but these things happen a lot.

At least for me, given the choice between exploring new concepts like open overworlds (outside of the raids I can take or leave the big-ination mode, tbh) or having every Pokemon in the game, I’d prefer conceptual exploration. All my favourite games of the series have deviated from the norm, they all had limited Pokedexes as well, and while none of them were free of flaws, I enjoyed them a lot for their willingness to experiment.

And unlike games in the past, we’re still being given the ability to bring our Pokemon into the Switch generation for whatever future games will accommodate them. We don’t have to bring them through until there IS a game to put them in (unless they shut down Bank, I guess...?) but there is the option. It’s not like they’re closing the door and saying ‘You can’t use these guys in any gen after 7′.

I’m still enthused for Sword and Shield - not EVERYTHING about it, I’m...honestly tired of Gym stuff by this point - but the general feel of the game still has my interest enough that I want to pick it up. I’m okay with exploring with some old and new team members. Max raid battles with friends looks like fun (I hope I can actually do more stuff in the game with friends this time, haha...). All terrain bike is a small thing but refines multiple game commands into one efficient feature.

I hope that ‘creative break’ GameFreak has mentioned taking from Pokemon game development will incite new and innovative ideas for the series, stuff like we’ve seen glimpses of here. Perhaps take it in a new direction that *gasp* doesn’t involve making more Pokemon so there isn’t so much content to try juggling, and instead explore different ways the stories and game play could go. Perhaps. Just some things I’ve been thinking about.