Highlights
Pokemon GO's buddy system needs a fresh approach, drawing inspiration from the engaging features found in Pokemon X and Y.Pokemon X and Y revolutionized player-Pokemon interaction with the introduction of the Pokemon-Amie system. This innovative system allows trainers to form deep bonds with their Pokemon through various activities such as mini-games and customizable hubs.
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To make the buddy system in Pokemon GO more engaging for players, it should incorporate the increased stats and combat-related advantages that Pokemon-Amie offers to Pokemon.
Although Pokemon GO's addictive gameplay loop has led to significant success, the game needs to make some changes as it gets older. The Pokemon buddy system, for example, has become less exciting due to its lack of variety. To revitalize the gameplay, the developers should not hesitate to draw inspiration from the mainline Pokemon releases.
Pokemon GO's Current Buddy System
Pokemon GO should take inspiration from Pokemon X and Y, the Gen 6 mainline titles, to revamp its buddy system. The introduction of the Pokemon-Amie system in these games would be a fantastic addition to Pokemon GO, enhancing the interactions and relationships between players and their buddies.
For a while now, Pokemon GO has provided the buddy system which enables players to select a specific Pokemon from their collection to become their designated companion. These buddy Pokemon will be displayed alongside the player's character profile, allowing players to engage with them in various ways.
Buddy Pokemon can be interacted with in augmented reality (AR), fed berries to improve their happiness, and captured in snapshot photos. When a buddy Pokemon is recently fed, it will accompany the player on the game map, earning Candy as they walk. These actions also earn hearts for the buddy Pokemon, which ultimately strengthen the friendship between the Pokemon and its trainer.
Increasing friendship levels come with various benefits, including gifts that a Pokemon buddy can give to a Pokemon GO player and the potential to boost the Pokemon's CP level. Some Pokemon require time spent as a buddy before they can evolve, while others can be chosen based on the player's preference. Although the system has entertained fans for a considerable period, there have been minimal changes since its introduction.
Pokemon GO's Buddy System and Pokemon-Amie
Pokemon X and Y's Pokemon-Amie serves as an enhanced and significant alternative to Pokemon GO's buddy system. Similar to the buddy system, Pokemon-Amie enables players to enhance the connection with their Pokemon by engaging in activities together and providing them with nourishment.
In contrast to Pokemon GO's uncomplicated heart system, Pokemon-Amie introduces affection, fullness, and enjoyment meters for the Pokemon, which require continuous maintenance. This effectively categorizes the various forms of interaction that players can experience with their Pokemon, a feature that could be seamlessly integrated into an improved Pokemon GO buddy system.
Pokemon-Amie offers a much more diverse range of interactions with chosen Pokemon compared to Pokemon GO's buddies. It includes various mini-games which are absent in Pokemon GO's buddy feature. Additionally, the hub for Pokemon-Amie can be completely personalized, something that Pokemon GO could introduce to make buddy activities more customized.
Furthermore, the benefits of interacting with Pokemon in Pokemon-Amie surpass those in Pokemon GO. By raising a Pokemon's stats through Amie, the Pokemon gains bonuses such as increased experience, higher critical hit probability, and an improved chance of evading attacks. Pokemon GO could benefit from incorporating more combat-related advantages into its buddy system, encouraging players to actively battle alongside their companions rather than solely exploring with them. Given the positive reception of the Pokemon-Amie system in X and Y, it would be beneficial for Pokemon GO to incorporate some elements of Pokemon-Amie to enhance its buddy system.
Pokemon GO is available on mobile devices.