Unveiling the Top Must-Have Features for the Next Mainline Pokémon Game!
Discover the top 10 features from Scarlet & Violet that fans are hoping to see in the next mainline Pokemon game From thrilling raids to immersive open-world gameplay, this article explores the elements that should make a comeback in the highly anticipated tenth generation
Highlights
Generation 10 must address the shortcomings of Pokemon Scarlet & Violet while still preserving certain enhancements that enhance replayability, like engaging raids and simplified breeding mechanics.
The customization options in Scarlet & Violet were unparalleled, giving trainers the ability to create a character that truly embodies their individuality. Moving forward, Gen 10 should build upon this by introducing an even wider range of clothing options to truly enhance personal expression.
The auto-battle and Let's Go! mechanics in Scarlet & Violet were hailed for their efficiency in leveling up and gathering Pokemon materials seamlessly. Gen 10 should maintain these beloved features while resolving any glitches and ensuring that all Pokemon can seamlessly match the pace of their trainers in the virtual world.
The debate over whether Pokemon Scarlet & Violet surpassed its predecessor, Pokemon Sword/Shield, in terms of gameplay, story, characters, and more remains contentious. Released in the same year as Pokemon Legends: Arceus, Generation 9 carried high expectations among fans. While Scarlet/Violet faced criticism, there were notable quality-of-life improvements that make them worth replaying.
Looking ahead to Generation 10, it is crucial to address the flaws of Scarlet/Violet while also retaining certain elements for the next title. This could involve incorporating successful gameplay mechanics or striving to emulate the compelling storytelling found in Scarlet/Violet. By combining the strengths of Scarlet/Violet with the innovations of Gen 10, the next mainline Pokemon game will undoubtedly merit a replay.
10 Raids
The next mainline Pokemon game is likely to introduce something similar to Terastallization, just as Sword/Shield introduced Dynamaxing and Sun/Moon introduced Z-moves. In Sword/Shield, Dynamax Raids were introduced, where a party of four would battle against a Dynamax or Gigantamax Pokemon. The goal was to deplete the opponent's HP to 0 before the timer ran out. However, the AI in Sword/Shield was not always the best, and many players became frustrated with a particular NPC and their Solrock.
Tera Raids, although not perfect, were considered an improvement over Dynamax Dens. One significant improvement was the addition of Solo Tera Raids, where NPCs would bring along useful Pokemon that didn't constantly use Cosmic Power. Additionally, Terastallizing one's own Pokemon doesn't last for three turns. If Gen 10 decides to include Raids, they should model them after the Tera Raids rather than the Dynamax Raids. However, there are areas that would need improvement. For example, the timer continues to run during Terastallizing animations, and there can be lagging when the Raid Pokemon is spamming attacks. Despite these issues, building on the foundation of Tera Raids seems like a good starting point for Gen 10's potential Raid gameplay.
9 No Pokemon Daycare/Nursery
Pokemon Breeding, a gameplay feature introduced in Generation 2, allows trainers to obtain Eggs. It is also a popular method for obtaining Shiny Pokemon, known as the Masuda Method, which involves pairing Pokemon from different "languages". Previously, in Generations prior to 9, trainers had to leave two compatible Pokemon of opposite genders (or a Ditto) at a Daycare or Nursery. Upon returning, there was a chance of receiving an Egg.
In Scarlet/Violet, the traditional Daycares and Nurseries have been replaced. Instead, trainers can simply set up a Picnic and have two or more compatible Pokemon in their party. They can then check the Egg Basket located near the picnic table to find Eggs. Unlike Daycares or Nurseries, the basket can hold up to 10 Eggs at a time, making the process of obtaining Eggs much faster. It would be beneficial for future Generations, like Gen 10, to adopt this convenient Egg farming method from Scarlet/Violet and do away with Daycares and Nurseries entirely.
8 Picnics
In terms of picnics, this feature is a significant improvement compared to Sword/Shield's camping. It not only allows players to restore HP, PP, and boost Friendship by making a 3-star sandwich, but Scarlet/Violet also offers Meal Powers. These powers have various effects, such as increasing the Encounter rate of specific Pokemon types, boosting Exp, Catch Rate, Egg Hatching time, and even increasing the chances of encountering Shiny Pokemon.
Since Shiny Hunting is a popular activity among Pokemon trainers, it would be beneficial to retain the Meal Effects to facilitate finding Shiny Pokemon in the wild. However, players who prefer the challenge of finding Shinies without assistance can choose not to use Meal Powers and continue hunting them in the traditional way. Aside from this, the only aspect that Gen 10 should modify in the Picnic mechanic is the complexity of the ingredients and fillings. Using the wrong topping, for example, could result in encountering completely different types of Pokemon.
7 Character Customization
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Trainers in the game Pokemon Scarlet/Violet have the unique ability to personalize their character's physical appearance, excluding hair and skin tone. From altering eyelashes and eye-shape to adjusting eyebrows, there are various customization options available. This game offers players a wide range of features to fully express their individuality and create a character that truly represents them.
Moving forward, it would be exciting for the next generation, Gen 10, to not only continue with the trainer customization feature but also expand upon it by introducing additional options. Furthermore, it would be beneficial to bring back a larger variety of clothing choices. Unfortunately, in Scarlet/Violet, players are limited to wearing either their Naranja/Uva Academy uniform or a different Jinbei outfit if they have purchased the expansion pass. Although they can accessorize with different socks, hats, shoes, and bags, some have found this selection to be lacking compared to the wardrobe options available in Legends: Arceus.
6 Auto-Battle & Let's Go!
Most
Pokemon
players love being able to see their Pokemon walk alongside them in the overworld.
Scarlet/Violet
In addition to the option called "Let's Go!", they also offer an Auto-Battle feature. This feature is highly beneficial for efficiently acquiring experience and Pokemon Materials, which explains its popularity. It is expected that Gen 10 will likely incorporate a similar concept to Let's Go! and Auto-Battle, but it is advisable for them to address any existing bugs in Scarlet/Violet.
. For example, sometimes a Pokemon can get "stuck" and refuse to return to the Poke Ball or battle nearby Pokemon. Another peeve is that
slower Pokemon cannot keep up
Pokemon should be able to keep pace with their trainers, even when they are walking. This could pose a challenge for Pokemon such as Slugma, but it would be a great improvement to have them actually match the speed of their trainers in the next mainline game.
5 TM Crafting
TMs are valuable resources for teaching moves to Pokemon, but unfortunately, they can only be used once before they break. Although this issue was partially addressed in Generation 5, successive generations saw a return to the breakable nature of TMs. However, players now have the advantage of Scarlet/Violet's Pokemon Materials mechanic, which allows them to craft TMs. By utilizing their League Points (LP) and the appropriate Materials, players can create as many TMs as they desire. This serves as a much-needed solution for the Technical Records (TRs) featured in Sword/Shield and the reversion to the traditional system in Brilliant Diamond/Shining Pearl. It is important to note that while TMs may still break, the advantage lies in the fact that they no longer require LP to be restored.
4 Overworld Shiny Pokemon
Since TMs play a crucial role in shaping a Pokemon's moveset, it is imperative that they are made accessible for Gen 10. The inclusion of the TM Machine in Scarlet/Violet seems to have struck a balance with the Pokemon community. Thus, reintroducing it in Gen 10, rather than reverting back to TRs like in Gen 8, would undoubtedly be warmly received.
In Sword/Shield, players could encounter and battle Pokémon in the Overworld. However, it wasn't until Let's Go, Pikachu!/Eevee! that Shiny Pokémon started appearing physically on the map. This feature carried over into Legends: Arceus and Scarlet/Violet, where players can spot Shiny Pokémon without engaging them in battle. This change can possibly be attributed to the removal of Random Encounters, which have been a long-standing feature in the Pokémon franchise. Regardless, this change has been widely appreciated by players.
In Scarlet/Violet, Shiny Pokemon don't have a visible "noise" or "sparkle" like in Legends: Arceus, making it difficult for players to identify them until they engage in battle and see the sparkle animation. This aspect has received negative feedback, as it increased the challenge of Shiny Hunting compared to Legends: Arceus. However, the fact that Shiny Pokemon can be seen on the Overworld Map is an improvement over having to battle every Pokemon during an outbreak to check for Shininess. It is expected that Gen 10 will maintain the same Shiny Encounter method as Gen 9, but it would be beneficial to include the jingle/sparkle feature from Legends: Arceus. Some Shiny Pokemon have minimal differences from their regular counterparts, and others have such subtle variations that they are nearly impossible to spot from a distance. If Pokemon chooses not to have a noise indicating their presence, then displaying a sparkle outside of battle would be a suitable alternative.
3 Good Story & Characters
The story and characters of Scarlet/Violet were widely regarded as an improvement compared to Sword/Shield and Legends: Arceus, although opinions varied among individuals. Arven's story, in particular, resonated with many fans on a personal level. On the other hand, Team Star's story received less acclaim, but it still had its own fanbase.
Gen 10 should learn from Scarlet/Violet's success and continue the trend of captivating stories, incorporating branching storylines and well-developed characters. The Teal Mask, despite its brevity, was well-received and left trainers eagerly anticipating the Indigo Disk. Gen 10's story should minimize repetitive cutscenes while maintaining depth in both narratives and characters.
2 The Box-Legendary's Significance to the Plot
Content fragment
In previous mainline Pokemon games, the Legendary Mascots were seen as a coveted achievement to obtain. However, the latest installment, Sword/Shield, deviates from this trend as Zaphias and Zamazenta only make their appearance towards the end of the game, lacking any significant role in the plot until the postgame. On the other hand, the characters Scarlet and Violet play a pivotal role in shaping the story by establishing a deep bond with the trainer. Similarly, the Teal Mask DLC adds depth to Ogerpon, the mascot, elevating it beyond being just a Legendary Pokemon that trainers have to catch.
As we eagerly await the reveal of the mascot Pokemon for Generation 10, there is anticipation that they will possess the same level of character development as Koraidon/Miraidon and Ogerpon. However, even if the Legendary Duo in Gen 10 is not integral to the main story, it would make them all the more memorable, akin to the impact of Koraidon and Miraidon on their respective trainers.
1 Open-World Gameplay
Pokemon Legends: Arceus is often mistaken for an "open-world" game, despite the Pokemon Company denying this claim. On the contrary, Scarlet/Violet is an actual open-world game. Once players complete the tutorial and begin the Treasure Hunt, they can select one of three story modes. While Scarlet/Violet encourages trainers to embark on the Gym Challenge for Gym Badges, the "Path of Legends" offers its own advantages, granting access to Koraidon/Miraidon's special abilities like swimming and climbing. In Scarlet/Violet, the possibilities are endless, with a few exceptions.
The ability to choose one's path should continue into Generation 10, allowing trainers to have diverse gameplay experiences. While all routes eventually lead to the same outcome, Scarlet/Violet encourages players to build multiple teams (e.g., one for "Victory Road" and another for "Starfall Street"). This level of freedom would be enthusiastically welcomed in Pokemon's tenth generation.
Pokemon Scarlet & Violet are available for Nintendo Switch.
