The Ultimate Revelation: Why Pokemon Gen 10 Must Revolutionize Tradition

Pokemon has undergone significant changes in recent years. Fans have witnessed the main series transition from 2D to 3D, from handheld devices to consoles, and most recently, from linear to open-world gameplay. These transformations have kept the mainline Pokemon games exciting for players even after decades of engaging with Game Freak's diverse collection of monsters.

However, some fans are dissatisfied with the current state of Pokemon. They express their discontent due to the absence of the National Dex, the removal of beloved features like Mega Evolution, or the controversial release situation of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. As a result, these fans are either drawn towards the nostalgia of earlier titles or yearn for the franchise to take significant strides forward. This situation potentially paves the way for the franchise's 10th generation to break away from its recent conventions.

The Case For Pokemon To Escape 3D

The transition to 3D in modern Pokemon games has resulted in numerous issues. The demanding nature of animating and rendering a 3D world has negatively impacted the game's performance, as seen in the bugs and visual problems in Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. To address these problems, the series could greatly benefit from a return to the familiar two-dimensional format.

It wouldn't be surprising for Game Freak to make this move in the main series games. Many successful modern JRPGs still utilize 2D pixel art styles with great success. The Octopath Traveler series is a prime example of this, showcasing how new Pokemon games could draw inspiration from pixel artwork. Numerous titles beyond JRPGs, such as Hollow Knight and Dead Cells, have also achieved tremendous success in the 2D space.

3D can pose significant challenges for game designers, particularly when transforming a game from a 2D to a 3D format. Sonic the Hedgehog enthusiasts are well aware of the tumultuous shift from one dimension to another. Game Freak evidently faces growing pains, which doesn't necessarily imply that they should give up, but rather requires thoughtful consideration of the franchise's direction to prevent similar concerns from emerging among the fanbase going forward.

More Pokemon Traditions To Break

Game Freak should consider expanding their focus beyond the standard single battle format and pay more attention to battle variants, particularly double battles, which have a long-standing presence in the franchise that deserves greater recognition. The Pokemon Colosseum series for GameCube could have established the benchmark for Pokemon double battles, shaping the future of the series. These battles add depth and strategic value to the game's movesets and type matchups. Currently, moves like Helping Hand and Protect hold little significance in the main series Pokemon stories.

Game Freak should reconsider the tradition of more frequent releases as it likely contributes to the development issues faced by recent titles. Yearly Pokémon content is unnecessary for a highly profitable franchise like this. The sales of Pokémon Scarlet, Violet, Sword, and Shield, despite mixed reviews, demonstrate that fans will continue to support the games irrespective of their frequency of release. Prioritizing the time to ensure that each new generation brings innovation, freshness, and excitement to the franchise will enhance the enduring legacy of Pokémon in the contemporary era.