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Anyone else get it? I only got to play a few hours so far but I REALLY like the changes to the way the over world works. Wandering pokemon is awesome. And I managed to make my first 6 pokemon team entirely out of new pokemon.

Anyone else's initial impressions?

i heared they cut the Pokedex.

Extremely good so far. Very pretty and i really love how alive the world feels. Far superior to sun and moon so far.

Couldn't care less about the pokedex for a bunch of mons who only end up in the box anyway.

Doesn't bother me. Looking back, I haven't completed the Pokedex since it was around 400 strong anyway. The increasingly contrived ways they've had to cram old critters into weird pointless detours has been a mess since they got all the flak for the cuts in Ruby/Sapphire. That's not even starting on the legendary bloat...

I've balked on this one because I never finished Sun/Moon, but from what I've heard it might be just what I need to get back in.

I am personally thankful for the pokedex cuts. As stated it was just an exercise in transfers that result in bulk check list filling. I am glad to have a nice concise dex to fill with a tailored good list of mons to catch and fight.

No random crap item farming to do just so i can change forms on gak from 6 generations ago.

 Lance845 wrote:

No random crap item farming to do just so i can change forms on gak from 6 generations ago.

I'd LOVE to see them retcon some evolution requirements. I really, really do not care if the Sun and Moon stones suddenly work on Eevee even if they didn't in Gen1.... Tired of walking into the snow area and being like "somewhere on this mountain is a big icy boulder for no good reason".

 LunarSol wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:

No random crap item farming to do just so i can change forms on gak from 6 generations ago.

I'd LOVE to see them retcon some evolution requirements. I really, really do not care if the Sun and Moon stones suddenly work on Eevee even if they didn't in Gen1.... Tired of walking into the snow area and being like "somewhere on this mountain is a big icy boulder for no good reason".

Yup. Plus a storage closet someplace full of old electronics. A collection of meteroites. A set of disk drives. A dna splicer. A genie bottle. A tablet for every pokemon type. A magic mirror. A flower. A z ring and all the mega stones. Red blue and green orbs. Etc etc....

Thank god the end game of this one wont be hunting down all that garbage.

Probably because there essentially is no endgame to speak of...

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:
Probably because there essentially is no endgame to speak of...

Based on what?

I expect

1) Completing the Dex (as always)
2) Breeding and training competitive teams.
3) Post champion stories (the last couple gens have had these I see no reason this one won't)
4) A battle tower of some kind.

These are the current stock standard end game elements that are actually entertaining to do when it doesn't involve using a separate piece of software to just dump a bunch of dudes into a box. The shopping list of go to x to collect y item is the boring as feth stuff.

The battle tower is a shadow of its former self, the post-game story part is a one-hour deal at best, and with 60% of all Pokémon cut the dex completion is much shorter than previously.

The part that's pissibg me off the most other than Gamefreak lying to the fanbase is the enforced Exp Share. Including a toggle for it so you didn't have to overlevel everything would have been trivial, but we can't have people having fun the wrong way, so out it goes.

If you're having fun playing the game then more power to you, I'm probably going to end up getting it eventually as well, but there's a metric tonne of stuff that should and could have been made better, to the point were a lot of things do not feel finished like no music during the legendary fight, or the overworld freezing when you climb up stairs.

Dex completion takes EXACTLY as long as before. Getting everything in the game takes as long as that takes. Transfering the things that were not in the game takes a insignificant amount of time.

If anything, it now takes longerbecause you cant just fill your gaps with a transfer.

I havent seen the post game or battle tower yet to comment on those. Or the music. But i have seen no freezing yet. I never turned exp share off in any game. So i didnt even notice if you could or could not switch it on/off. I was glad to just start the game with it and the fishing rod though.

Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

Really? This forum is FILLED with posts about power creep, super heavies don't belong in the base game, and rules bloat causing problems for 40k. It's like... 70% opinions that less content is better.

I got shield and its been pretty fun, way better than sun/moon.

And then there's the scaling, with Wailord being smaller than the trainer. Pokemon Colosseum had better scaling. In 2003. Friggin' Pokemon Stadium for the N64 somehow managed to have more expressive move animations than Swsh.

 Lance845 wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

Really? This forum is FILLED with posts about power creep, super heavies don't belong in the base game, and rules bloat causing problems for 40k. It's like... 70% opinions that less content is better.

Except this is not a tabletop game where issues crop up in such a manner.. Rules bloat for Pokemon for example is not really a thing. Mega's helped improved the viability for many pokemon in competitive and Dynamaxxing is just a weak, poorer version of it. Alongside that many people have particular pokemon they enjoy and seeing them cut is in no way going to garner good will. Not to mention many good features that people do enjoy seem to get dropped by the next version and it just baffles people as to why.

Heck you can't even claim they helped competitive since several major mon such as Aegislash didn't actually get cut, and several of his counters were.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

Really? This forum is FILLED with posts about power creep, super heavies don't belong in the base game, and rules bloat causing problems for 40k. It's like... 70% opinions that less content is better.

Except this is not a tabletop game where issues crop up in such a manner.. Rules bloat for Pokemon for example is not really a thing. Mega's helped improved the viability for many pokemon in competitive and Dynamaxxing is just a weak, poorer version of it. Alongside that many people have particular pokemon they enjoy and seeing them cut is in no way going to garner good will. Not to mention many good features that people do enjoy seem to get dropped by the next version and it just baffles people as to why.

Except it is rules bloat. In that you need this and this and that and this and that to do all the little gimmicks of all the little bull gak that the game requires to evolve and change or do the special thing of roughly 100 of the damn near 1000 of these things that currently exist. The sheer volume of pokemon creates the illusion of choice where many pokemon are just worthless. Dynamaxing isn't megaevolution. They are not comparable. It is a different thing. It's like comparing chapter tactics to strategems. Boo Hoo about peoples favorite mons. Mine was always Mew. And Mew just wasn't available in several earlier generation games until remakes came out.

Heck you can't even claim they helped competitive since several major mon such as Aegislash didn't actually get cut, and several of his counters were.

And several new counters were added.

 Lance845 wrote:
. Boo Hoo about peoples favorite mons. Mine was always Mew. And Mew just wasn't available in several earlier generation games until remakes came out.

You realize that "feth you, I've got mine!" isn't supposed to be a valid argument, yes? Entirely beside the whole part where Mew hasn't been unavailable since the start of Gen 3 in 2003. 16 years ago.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:
. Boo Hoo about peoples favorite mons. Mine was always Mew. And Mew just wasn't available in several earlier generation games until remakes came out.

You realize that "feth you, I've got mine!" isn't supposed to be a valid argument, yes? Entirely beside the whole part where Mew hasn't been unavailable since the start of Gen 3 in 2003. 16 years ago.

The point is "But that ones my favorite!" isn't a valid argument either. There are favorite Magic The Gathering Cards. They still get culled from future sets and maybe bought back and maybe not down the line. Magic doesn't re-release every card it's ever made in every set along with a bunch of new ones. Because it's bad for the balance of the game and untenable in the long run. "But that ones my favorite!" is a boo hoo crap argument that carries exactly no weight.

 Lance845 wrote:

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:
. Boo Hoo about peoples favorite mons. Mine was always Mew. And Mew just wasn't available in several earlier generation games until remakes came out.

You realize that "feth you, I've got mine!" isn't supposed to be a valid argument, yes? Entirely beside the whole part where Mew hasn't been unavailable since the start of Gen 3 in 2003. 16 years ago.

The point is "But that ones my favorite!" isn't a valid argument either. There are favorite Magic The Gathering Cards. They still get culled from future sets and maybe bought back and maybe not down the line. Magic doesn't re-release every card it's ever made in every set along with a bunch of new ones. Because it's bad for the balance of the game and untenable in the long run. "But that ones my favorite!" is a boo hoo crap argument that carries exactly no weight.

You've managed to compare Pokemon to both Warhammer 40k and MTG.. Games that aren't even comparable to a monster based catching game in tone, style, and production.

If you had picked any other monster catching game say.. Monster Rancher, Digimon, or something actually close... I'm just going to point out that Magic still lets you re-use each card in different formats in modern and legacy day tournaments. Sword and Shield has cut such things since you are no longer allowed to use any variety of Pokemon except for "Standard Cards". So even MTG has a step up on Pokemon here.

Except it is rules bloat. In that you need this and this and that and this and that to do all the little gimmicks of all the little bull gak that the game requires to evolve and change or do the special thing of roughly 100 of the damn near 1000 of these things that currently exist.

So you've paid more money to get something cut back instead of adding on. There were meaningful choices that ended up gimmicks because they never expanded on them.. Like Dynamaxx will simply be at this rate.

The sheer volume of pokemon creates the illusion of choice where many pokemon are just worthless

People still had their favorites, and yes that's an argument when it comes to this sort of game.

And several new counters were added.

We will see if they counter it.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:
. Boo Hoo about peoples favorite mons. Mine was always Mew. And Mew just wasn't available in several earlier generation games until remakes came out.

You realize that "feth you, I've got mine!" isn't supposed to be a valid argument, yes? Entirely beside the whole part where Mew hasn't been unavailable since the start of Gen 3 in 2003. 16 years ago.

The point is "But that ones my favorite!" isn't a valid argument either. There are favorite Magic The Gathering Cards. They still get culled from future sets and maybe bought back and maybe not down the line. Magic doesn't re-release every card it's ever made in every set along with a bunch of new ones. Because it's bad for the balance of the game and untenable in the long run. "But that ones my favorite!" is a boo hoo crap argument that carries exactly no weight.

You've managed to compare Pokemon to both Warhammer 40k and MTG.. Games that aren't even comparable to a monster based catching game in tone, style, and production.

If you had picked any other monster catching game say.. Monster Rancher, Digimon, or something actually close... I'm just going to point out that Magic still lets you re-use each card in different formats in modern and legacy day tournaments. Sword and Shield has cut such things since you are no longer allowed to use any variety of Pokemon except for "Standard Cards". So even MTG has a step up on Pokemon here.

What, EXACTLY is the difference between collectable cards you get from IRL trades or random packs of cards and monsters you get from online trades or random encounters? Is it the digital format?

Except it is rules bloat. In that you need this and this and that and this and that to do all the little gimmicks of all the little bull gak that the game requires to evolve and change or do the special thing of roughly 100 of the damn near 1000 of these things that currently exist.

So you've paid more money to get something cut back instead of adding on. There were meaningful choices that ended up gimmicks because they never expanded on them.. Like Dynamaxx will simply be at this rate.

I am super glad Megastones are gone. 1) having and keeping track of all the megastones was a burden. Reaquiring them all in alpha saphire and omega ruby was even more so. by the time moon/sun rolled around if they appeared again I was commited to ignoring them. Especially if they added even more of the dumb ass things. They could have had a singular mega stone that worked with any pokemon. And thats what dynamaxing does without you needing any item to do it. Now it's not just a choice of who you use it on, but WHEN you use it since it only lasts for 3 turns. And yes, it's a gimick that will be gone next generation. It's specifically a phenomena unique to the Galar region. Good. I don't want this laundry list of crap constantly piling up on the games.

The sheer volume of pokemon creates the illusion of choice where many pokemon are just worthless

People still had their favorites, and yes that's an argument when it comes to this sort of game.

And several new counters were added.

We will see if they counter it.

No it's not. Yes we will.


Automatically Appended Next Post:
The one feature, the ONLY feature that has not survived from generation to generation that I wish they kept was mega training in x/y. I LOVED having direct immediate control over my pokemons EVs. I don't care if they change the minigame involved in doing it, but give me back a direct control over it I can do from anywhere.

I want to breed the damn thing, max it's EVs and then start leveling.

What, EXACTLY is the difference between collectable cards you get from IRL trades or random packs of cards and monsters you get from online trades or random encounters? Is it the digital format?

I'm genuinely trying to figure out what sort of question this is. Because I shouldn't need to figure out how to explain the difference between an RPG mon game and a trading card game. I'm genuinely baffled at this question.

I am super glad Megastones are gone. 1) having and keeping track of all the megastones was a burden. Reaquiring them all in alpha saphire and omega ruby was even more so. by the time moon/sun rolled around if they appeared again I was committed to ignoring them. Especially if they added even more of the dumb ass things. They could have had a singular mega stone that worked with any pokemon. And thats what dynamaxing does without you needing any item to do it. Now it's not just a choice of who you use it on, but WHEN you use it since it only lasts for 3 turns. And yes, it's a gimick that will be gone next generation. It's specifically a phenomena unique to the Galar region. Good. I don't want this laundry list of crap constantly piling up on the games.

Yes you could ignore them if you didn't enjoy them. So basically this argument boils down to. "I didn't like it, and thus I'm glad it's gone for everyone". It's a non-argument. A selfish one at that.

No it's not.

People get attached to the Pokemon they like. It is in fact an argument.

Yes we will.

Very confident response but one not yet validated.

 Lance845 wrote:

The one feature, the ONLY feature that has not survived from generation to generation that I wish they kept was mega training in x/y. I LOVED having direct immediate control over my pokemons EVs. I don't care if they change the minigame involved in doing it, but give me back a direct control over it I can do from anywhere.

I want to breed the damn thing, max it's EVs and then start leveling.

Vitamins (so HP Up, Iron and so on) go all the way up to 252 now, no need for training. As for the rest:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

I am super glad Megastones are gone. 1) having and keeping track of all the megastones was a burden. Reaquiring them all in alpha saphire and omega ruby was even more so. by the time moon/sun rolled around if they appeared again I was committed to ignoring them. Especially if they added even more of the dumb ass things. They could have had a singular mega stone that worked with any pokemon. And thats what dynamaxing does without you needing any item to do it. Now it's not just a choice of who you use it on, but WHEN you use it since it only lasts for 3 turns. And yes, it's a gimick that will be gone next generation. It's specifically a phenomena unique to the Galar region. Good. I don't want this laundry list of crap constantly piling up on the games.

Yes you could ignore them if you didn't enjoy them. So basically this argument boils down to. "I didn't like it, and thus I'm glad it's gone for everyone". It's a non-argument. A selfish one at that.

This.

Looking forward to buying playing it a bit, just don't have time right now.

 AlmightyWalrus wrote:

 Lance845 wrote:

The one feature, the ONLY feature that has not survived from generation to generation that I wish they kept was mega training in x/y. I LOVED having direct immediate control over my pokemons EVs. I don't care if they change the minigame involved in doing it, but give me back a direct control over it I can do from anywhere.

I want to breed the damn thing, max it's EVs and then start leveling.

Vitamins (so HP Up, Iron and so on) go all the way up to 252 now, no need for training. As for the rest:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:

I am super glad Megastones are gone. 1) having and keeping track of all the megastones was a burden. Reaquiring them all in alpha saphire and omega ruby was even more so. by the time moon/sun rolled around if they appeared again I was committed to ignoring them. Especially if they added even more of the dumb ass things. They could have had a singular mega stone that worked with any pokemon. And thats what dynamaxing does without you needing any item to do it. Now it's not just a choice of who you use it on, but WHEN you use it since it only lasts for 3 turns. And yes, it's a gimick that will be gone next generation. It's specifically a phenomena unique to the Galar region. Good. I don't want this laundry list of crap constantly piling up on the games.

Yes you could ignore them if you didn't enjoy them. So basically this argument boils down to. "I didn't like it, and thus I'm glad it's gone for everyone". It's a non-argument. A selfish one at that.

This.

Yeah, I am voting with my wallet and not purchasing the game due to the loss of pokemon.

I think cutting some pokemon makes sense. A lot of them aren't popular, or even remotely interesting. But looking through the list of Pokemon cut from the game, I'm utterly baffled. Some of the most popular Pokemon from the series have been cut, and far many more than I expected.

Basically killed all my interest.

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

Its a pretty common sentiment among gamers that are getting older. A lot of game franchises are stuffed with filler that isn't fun, just designed to waste your time. Cutting down on that is usually a positive. That you've never seen that stated before honestly baffles me, as its been a rising gripe in the industry for the last decade, and very common for the last five years.

There is a definite gap between content that's quality and content that's filler. And its often the difference between a hand-crafted story encounter and a randomly generated 'radiant quest.' The latter can be useful to get XP or gear early on in the game, but they're pure garbage fedex or murder quests.

For games, collectibles are definitely filler. See almost any Ubisoft game. Getting all the junk can take 60+ hours, but the story (the good bits) is about 10. They've drizzled crap all over the world map to make people think their games are bigger and more interesting than they actually are.

Yes, but in a game like Pokémon the Pokémon themselves are the central point of the entire game. They cut Pokémon but felt like adding curry to the game was a good idea.

Voss wrote:

 ZebioLizard2 wrote:
Never thought I'd see opinions that state less content is better.

Its a pretty common sentiment among gamers that are getting older. A lot of game franchises are stuffed with filler that isn't fun, just designed to waste your time. Cutting down on that is usually a positive. That you've never seen that stated before honestly baffles me, as its been a rising gripe in the industry for the last decade, and very common for the last five years.

There is a definite gap between content that's quality and content that's filler. And its often the difference between a hand-crafted story encounter and a randomly generated 'radiant quest.' The latter can be useful to get XP or gear early on in the game, but they're pure garbage fedex or murder quests.

For games, collectibles are definitely filler. See almost any Ubisoft game. Getting all the junk can take 60+ hours, but the story (the good bits) is about 10. They've drizzled crap all over the world map to make people think their games are bigger and more interesting than they actually are.

Ah that might explain it. I was never a fan of Ubisoft games so I never really went looking for those games or forums for such.. Of course those as I can tell were not mainstay things like how the Pokemon are, or how Mega evolution was one of the most positively viewed addition to the series rather then a series of random things to increase game time.

I suppose I should've worded it better.

"The official review was not the time or place to address criticisms of the game" IGN reviewer talking about their review of Pokemon

This is the state of Games Journalism and the state of Pokemon.

Hot Take: Pokemon was always bad. Gen 2 was a marginal improvement over Gen 1 but since then it's been worse and worse.

I can only hope that Game Freak take a page or twenty from Sonic Team's book and let competent fans make the next game and make it good.