#i think the split focus on rivals also hurts the game ino

[harusha]

So far, I’d rate Pokemon SWSH a 4 or a 5 tbh. Could be worse (ex. Lootboxes or microtransaction), but rather unmemorable in overall game design and characters tbh. Some of the areas are really pretty (ex . Slumbering Weald or Postwick) but then when you actually get to explore, it’s so lackluster or filled with unfinished/underutilized ideas.

Though, the gym puzzles are actually pretty cool so far. I like how Allister’s gym utilizes the tea cups (even if it’s “unloseable” tbh) and the joy stick and stuff like Kabu’s catch mechanic. Really unique and sometimes creative.

Alos, like...I see the praise Leon and Hop get as characters, and I’m trying to figure out where the nuance is coming from and when it’s showing up.

Not saying Pokemon is full of deep and interesting characters, but after all the praise, I was expecting something more and not “unperceptive man gets lost on the way to his own bathroom and likes Charizard and posing.”

I see where they’re going with Hop as well (he’s absolutely a Bianca), but then the rest of the cast and story is so subpar, his arc looks like the holy grail as a result.

They didn’t even have to tweak the storyline too much to have a stronger impact. Just make it to where Rose rigs Leon’s matches so he’s unbeatable (and perhaps have Leon be unaware or have him be too afraid of disappointing Hop so he went along with it because he saw how excited young Hop was the first time and it just spiraled), and the reason why the player wins is because they don’t care for Rose’s offers (and it explains why the early gym leaders have such weak teams; he’s trying to rig the player’s matches as well). Characters like Kabu went along with it because Rose decided to threaten something important (like financial stability for family or w/e).

I get Leon’s supposed to represent the “old school” player who sweeps through the games, but the storyline isn’t interesting enough considering what he could have been.

Could even make that into a post-game gimmick as well where once Rose’s machinations are revealed, you get to have a gauntlet match against all 8 gym leaders (and maybe Leon) with full-powered teams.

Though bump up Shield version specifically by one point to like 5.5 or 6 because Allister is in that one.

The game’s just full of underutilized/half-baked ideas imo. While others like currydex took too much time in development (the currydex is huge but its just the same tired mechanic of ‘mix these berries and one random item’). It’s a charming idea, but the implementation sucks so much.

Especially since camping would have been amazing IF the routes were large/varied enough to actually warrant such a mechanic. Wild Area is one flat square zone and you can easily cross it in a few minutes by bike.

Also I have such a hard time differentiating between Zacian and Zamazenta. I get they’re duo legends but they’re so similar if they don’t have their items.

Also why is this the game where you have to own the version (or trade said unique item from someone else with the version) to get a fully functioning Legendary?They couldn’t put in a Relic guy to give you the opposing item? I get it’s money, but it’s kinda scummy honestly. This generation is the rich man’s Pokemon honestly.

Pokemon Go+LGPE for Meltan/Melmetal, $30 each for two expansions passes (I’d still be salty but still fine if there was a discount bundle if you want both but there isn’t), $60 a piece for two games, $20 for Pokemon Home Subscription, $20 more for Online, new Pokeball Plus if you want that Mew ($50), and so forth.

Assuming you buy new (so I don’t have to consider Auction prices which vary), thst’s ~$360 if you want to own everything in a worst case scenario. It’s attrocious imo.