Pokémon: Gen-5 And Beyond

By Ishaan . February 14, 2010 . 6:26pm

Pokémon: Gen 5 And Beyond

Things sure have changed since the mid ’90s. Where once you could only hope to see a new Pokémon game every three years, of late, Nintendo seem to be subjecting us to Pokémania on an annual basis, in some form or the other. Whether it’s another Mystery Dungeon game or a Ranger game, one of the many average WiiWare games they’ve been putting out of late, or the main line of RPGs, the games have consistently hastened in their release cycle over the years.

 

Just in 2009, we saw news of Pokémon Platinum, Pokémon Rumble, Poképark Wii: Pikachu’s Big Adventure, Pokémon HeartGold / SoulSilver and Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Explorers of the Sky. What was once a rare event meant to be cherished is now a constant barrage of average to great games that have eventually diminished the "special" feel of the franchise. We’re at 493 Pokémon now, and just recently, yet another generation of monsters was confirmed for the upcoming mainline RPG. Those, up above, are Zoroa / Zoroark from GEN-5. They’ll be in the upcoming 13th movie.

 

Pokémon: Gen 5 And Beyond Perhaps this is why I haven’t really gotten into a Pokémon game since the days of Pokémon Crystal. The early Pokémon RPGs were my gateway into the Japanese role-playing genre in general, so they hold a very special place in my memories. Back then, 251 seemed like a vast number, but more importantly, once you let that number sink in, it seemed manageable. It didn’t feel like it detracted from the unique feel of each individual monster. Obviously, at close to 500 Pokémon, this isn’t the case anymore.

 

There was a real sense of discovery back in the old days, which doesn’t seem nearly as grand in the newer games. Perhaps it’s because I’ve grown older. Or maybe the fact that there are about two dozen "legendaries" now has something to do with it. I can’t tell because the designs of GEN-4 in Diamond / Pearl were almost offensive to my eyes (Curse you, Chimchar, you filthy little ape), which turned me off from playing them entirely. In fact, I would probably have enjoyed them more if they’d used the same monsters they’d created up until GEN-3.

 

See, I don’t think Pokémon is necessarily about meeting a bunch of new monsters each time. To me, it’s about that old sense of discovery, which I’ve learnt can be conveyed using the same old monsters in a different setting. I remember the smallest things about Gold / Silver / Crystal (abbr. G / S / C) that I appreciated. Being able to go out at night, which made adventuring feel that much more thrilling. Being able to create different kinds of balls. Running into the red Gyarados. Getting on the train for the first time. Using the radio.

 

Pokémon: Gen 5 And Beyond

To this day, I haven’t even gotten around to using all 251 monsters from Kanto and Johto yet — personally, I don’t need more than, say, 50-ish new monsters in GEN-5. In fact, l generally stuck to the same team back in the G/S/C days until I watched the Raikou: Legend of Thunder OVA. That made a lot of the Pokémon I hadn’t paid a second thought to look very cool, which broadened my views on the Pokémon population a little, and encouraged me to try using different teams. I thought, "Hey, they can all be cool, depending on who you are!"

 

The way I looked at it, your team was a reflection of your personality. And well…since, at 16, you don’t really have a solid idea of who you are, I was training around seven different teams, each one with their own box in Bill’s storage system. Go figure.

 

Even dating all the way back to the originals, it was always about the discovery. In Pokémon Yellow, one of the most memorable moments for me was reading about the escaped experiment in the notes at the Pokémon mansion. Another was meeting the mysterious bird Pokémon dwelling in the Power Plant. In G/S/C, there were little bits of story that connected the legendaries, for you to piece together if you were interested. It was never forced upon you, but it was there, waiting to be discovered. Game Freak created a very "real" world, but it just didn’t feel that way after Ruby / Sapphire / Emerald, which was the last generation I squeezed some enjoyment out of.

 

That’s what it comes down to. Pokémon, unlike most JRPGs, is about your adventure as a player. It’s about the things you discover, the Pokémon you capture, and the way you train them. It’s a very "personal" experience. There’s something oddly emotionally moving about biking along a lonely numbered route at night, all by yourself, with only your radio and your Pokéballs for company.

 

It makes me wonder what they could possibly add to GEN-5 that could capture that feel once more, not for the next, younger generation of players that Nintendo target with every new game, but for those "lapsed gamers" they keep talking about. Obviously, I’m very excited for HeartGold and SoulSilver since they play on my nostalgia, but I would very much like to see some sort of indication as to the direction Game Freak are taking the next game in.

 

I’m slightly afraid that they’re losing track of what made the original games appealing, though, I’m also aware no one could make a better Pokémon game than them. So, since I can only wait just like everyone else, off the top of my head, here’s a few ideas I’d love to see:

 

  • Players starting out in different cities, depending on a personality test taken at the start of the game.
  • Ask the player, "Have you played Pokémon before?" at the start of the game. If the answer is "Yes," allow them to select a more grown up trainer and bypass the beginners speech from Professor [insert wood]. It isn’t "discovery" if you’re hearing it for the millionth time, guys!
  • Allowing players to visit each other’s games like in Animal Crossing.
  • More events and quests instead of more new Pokémon.
  • Feeling connected to other "trainers" rather than to "players." Of course, the inclusion of voice chat makes the illusion much harder to maintain, but there has to be a way around this problem.
  • Personalized or altered stories for different players. The tales of other trainers’ (players’) adventures being relayed to you in your game.
  • More "special" versions of existing Pokémon with their own stories (red Gyarados) instead of more legendaries.

 

What other suggestions can you come up with? Do you still love the franchise as much as you used to? Fire away in comments…there’s no such thing as too much Pokémon talk!


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  • http://myanimelist.net/animelist/OnyxSyaoran onyxsyaoran

    “Players starting out in different cities, depending on a personality test taken at the start of the game.” LOVED that idea! even the starter pokémon with a test would be awesome! and other types instead of the “Grass, Water or Fire” patron would be fresh too Nice Post

  • tofumaster

    Pokemon is cool in that there's heaps of Pokemon… but it's missing one thing that I think would make it so much better – customisation.
    If you could change the colour palettes by feeding them berries, or add accessories to the Pokemon, it'd make for a bigger crowd. Even Sparky had a tuft of hair which made it different to Ash's Pikachu, so lil things like that would make it heaps more enjoyable…

    Maybe I'm just too nerdy about this.

  • Masengan

    I think that if in the Next-Gen the Pokemon are going to move that they should work on the animation sprites so that it doesn't look so last minute. I also agree that a game about fighting others and trading and stuff they should kind of emphasize that there are other players out there doing their stuff, maybe even something like Demon's Souls where players can leave each other notes and things like that.

  • http://www.liquid-crystal.biz/ kryptonics

    Speed. There's no point in keeping the battles at a snail's pace.

  • Dark_Sage

    The franchise died after yellow for me.

  • http://twitter.com/atmey atmey

    I want the battle system changed, something like FFX speed settings.

  • Pichi

    I agree strongly about that too. It can make a big difference in playing the game. I would love the basic stuff of minor color. I can help extend gameplay and maybe encourage a personal challenge or two.

  • Joanna_T

    I would love to be able to revisit the old regions again like S/G/C did with Kanto. It was so interesting to see what changed (Like the old man in one of the cities had started to build his house, Misty dating Bill, etc.) Maybe not all the regions in every game but at least one.

    Personally, R/S/E was the worst version in my opinion. It was such a downgrade from S/G/C because day-night was removed, moving sprites were removed, etc. D/P/P brought a lot of that back so I enjoyed it so much more. But then again, I'm a pretty hooked fan, I think they would have to pull another R/S/E with worse removals to get me off pokemon. =]

    edit: I like the idea of more quests, especially after you beat the main game (E4). The games do give you stuff to do (like visiting extra areas), but I think quests would really extend gameplay even more (if that is a good thing I do not know XD)

  • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

    I agree, this sounds kind of cool. :)

    Hmm…they'd probably have to switch to polygonal models for the Pokémon if they want to figure out an easier way to randomize colour / markings without having to do a thousand different palette swaps (which would probably take up more space).

  • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

    I loved seeing how Kanto had evolved (or devolved) in G/S/C, too! Going to the Cerulean Cave to see if it was still there (it was blocked off in the originals, but it's back in Hg/Ss); going to the power plant to find out what had happened to it; battling Red at the very end… Haha, I'd completely forgotten about Misty and Bill! <3

    I think the reason I eventually liked R/S/E was because some of the monsters were very cool, and I liked a lot of the quests in the game. Things got really complicated with the contests and the traits and everything, but I liked the…presentation…of the overall quest? Diamond put me off in the first 2 hours…didn't like the monsters, you walked too slowly…

    But yea, I was really disappointed that they removed the day/night system from R/S/E. God, SoulSilver is going to be a real treat…

  • MrRobbyM

    I really do like the not so forced upon you story. It gives a sense of mystery, which I love. Which is why the first two gens are my favorite.

    Some improvements I;d like to see are:
    -darker, in general. Story, characters, pokemon designs(designs last two gens are way too…er…child friendly. Especially the overall artwork)

    -More focus on night and day pokemon and events

    -Simpler music. I heard some music in HG/SS on youtube and I've got to say, they ruined it. They made it way too over the top or upbeat. It should have been simple and catchy.

    -Return to the designs that made it popular. Just try to fit any pokemon from gen 3 or 4 into the first two gens(especially the first). It just looks off.

    -Bigger cities with more stuff to do.

    More sidequests. Like the unknown puzzles in Pokemon Crystal.

    Overall, I'd like a slightly more mature Pokemon game. Not too mature to drive away the younger audience, but I feel that they try too hard to appeal to kids. I really loved gen 2 because I feel it was the most dark and mysterious game. But the most important thign to me are the pokemon designs. Which need ALOT of work. Especially lokign at zoroark and it's pre-volution.

    And yes, I agree with everything you said Ishaan. Nintendo/Game Freak needs to see this article and learn a few things.

  • MrRobbyM

    “You walked too slowly…”

    I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks this! That was a big turn off for me too. Does anyoen know if they fixed that in HG/SS?

  • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

    According to Laura's playtest, yes!

    http://www.siliconera.com/2009/09/25/pokemon-he…

  • http://twitter.com/JJBro1 Justin James

    sidequests and a questlog. Dialog trees. Character Customization. 3d sprites ala the pokemon ranger sprites. Different battle perspective. ATB battle system. EV training and more advanced training made more explicit. Bigger world. People actually going inside when it's night. And Random wifi battles.

  • megatravis90

    I still love the series just as much as I did when I first got Red oh so long ago. I love catching new Pokemon and doing new and fun things that they have added. I can't wait to play Gen. V.

  • szoo

    this seemes really harsh to me…

    you're saying that if they would have kept all the same pokemon throughout the games, the sense of discovery would be greater ?? that seems kind of odd, to me. surely discovering NEW pokemon adds more sense of discovery than “discovering” the same old pokemon you allready know.
    in fact the word discovery itself implies finding something, you haven't seen before.

    with all popular game-franchises (or movies or books for that matter) you get people who take the piss out off sequels, because they aren't EXACTLY the same as the classic game. well we allready have all the things you want in the old games.

    there's no need to keep everything the same, that would be really friggin' boring btw.

    so it seems kinda silly to me, nobody is gonna put out a game that is exactly the same as it's predecesor, who would buy that ?? and with the changes you propose no-one is gonna buy it either because they're very minor and it would still be pretty much the same game…

  • szoo

    *concurring*

  • MrRobbyM

    You're completely missing the point here…

  • szoo

    no, I'm disagreeing with the point the author made. and explaining why so. as well as explaining my own point of view.

  • EnkiduGil

    Which is a totally valid thing to do, but MrRobbyM is correct. You're misunderstanding the intent of the author and selectively reading.

  • szoo

    well there's no need to get defensive, I'm just giving my opinion about the topic @hand.
    if you want to reply to my opinion, it's better to do so with actual argumentation in stead of loose claims like: “I just don't understand or missing the point”.
    that's kind off childish.

  • http://twitter.com/Golii Cristóbal Escalona

    Well weren't the Pokéball Seals introduced to add some degree of customization though?

  • http://twitter.com/Golii Cristóbal Escalona

    I'd like:

    -Player customization like PBR's, but better
    -Pokémon customization
    -Faster battles
    -Every multiplayer aspect to be online enabled
    -Keep the HG/SS Pokémon out of ball thing
    -Filtered GTS
    -Random wi-fi battles with a points system
    -Better anti-cheat measures

  • wildarms

    i wish they could make better and more epic stories -.-, but since this game is mostly directed for kids (though im 100% sure that there are more young adults/teenages, of the days of the first pokemons, that buy this instead of kids) it will be hard

  • Pichi

    Never really thought of that in full. It would be nice to see older pokemon, but I rather have new pokemon and discover things in different ways. Keep things fresh alot with a bit of old on top.

    For some people, they don't want to new pokemon. That puzzles me, as I feel they rather play the same game, but “more darker” and “better” graphics.

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    I definitely agree with the story one. I'm the plot-obsessed person here =D But really, the thing I loved about G/S (and consequently HGSS) is the abundance of legends and whatnot, even building off of FRLG Kanto games.

    What I would like to see … well, sometime in the far far future, since this is really a big jump, I'd love to see the battle system in a sort of “Tales of” style. I mean, run around, attack, use techniques, can fight more than one Pokemon at a time. The only time that'd be a problem is during double battles. This system would also require a whole different strategy than the previous games, since it wouldn't be turn-based…

    I have a feeling the other characters in Pokemon are just filler. Their talks don't really mean anything 90% of the time, and sometimes they don't even make sense. Even when/if they call you on your Pokegear, it's about the most random things you do'nt really care for. It would be nice to feel more connection to them, yeah.

    Haha, new Pokemon … … … The thing is, the older Pokemon are kind of jilted because the newer ones have better stats most of the time. I'm only talking about the general trend of things, since we still have Pokemon like Luvdisc coming out that are useless for battling (but very useful for Heart Scales). I mean, look at Pidgeot. Hell, even Swellow and Fearow. They're all nothin compared to the standard flying of Sinnoh, Staravia, simply because Staravia's like Pidgeot + Fearow, ie good speed and attack (actually, Pidgeot's speed kind of sucks…), plus a fighting-type move that comes in darn handy during the Elite 4. Still, I find myself sticking to the older Pokemon and welcoming HGSS much more than DPPt because … well, I like them better for nostalgia reasons and for aesthetic reasons. The new ones look cool, sometimes, but you can only use so many Pokemon, so new ones are kind of moot. Choice is not, but too much is just overdoing it, especially when raising a Pokemon (if you're EV training and going for lvl 100) can take 4 days if you're really fast, and a week or more if you're slow.

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    Haha, I remember those. I used them and set my Milotic's pokeball to go MILOTIC in big bubbly letters when I sent him out, and my friend had to do a double-take and was like “whoa wait, WHAT??!” XD I think they were a bit inconvenient though, since you couldn't switch out Pokemon who had balls with seals until you turned the seal off…

    Hmm, customizing Pokemon … … Like, you get an item called “brush” and you can use the DS stylus to shape its 'do?

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    If you're talking about DPPt battles, HGSS battles are thankfully noticeably faster =D

    If you're talking about turnbased battles in general, … … well, I think Nintendo'll be staying with that formula for a while XD

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    My first reaction when I played HGSS: Yes, I'm actually running, not speed-walking! My first reaction while surfing: I'm moving faster than a snail!! =DD

    Yeah, I really liked going back to the older worlds. It would actually be interesting to be able to travel to Hoenn and Sinnoh by ship too, if possible, but I suppose that would be asking for too much?

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    Hmm, here's the thing, though. It appealed to us when we were kids, but now that we've grown up, we'd like to see the game grow up along with us (I think that's what you're saying, to a point). Yet Nintendo wants to keep aiming for the kids. I don't think that'll change anytime soon…

    HGSS has quite a few Night/Day events and time-based events in general, and if you want, there's an item called the GBPlayer after you finish the game that lets you switch the DS music back to the GB music XDD

    Ah yes, I was thinking the same thing about the Pokemon designs. For some reason, the newer Pokemon look really … full, aesthetically. I mean, you have the simple-ish design of Rhydon, and then you have Rhyperior, who is just bulky and it seems like every free inch of him is decorated with something. Same with Magmortar and Electrivire.

    My favorite design for the new Pokemon: The Rotom transformations. Go, Lawnmower!! XD

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    I think what they want is more expansion not in a “let's add more Pokemon” way. This is because, while you have more choice, most people would rather stick around to the original 151 or 251 (depending on your cup of tea) and not even bother with the newer Hoenn/Sinnoh Pokemon, even if they're there. And since this has been the same for the last two generations, the new generation Pokemon probably aren't going to appeal to them any either.

    What they'd like to see more is, say, more interaction with the trainers, with the world, with the Pokemon that already exist instead of creating new ones. Graphics don't seem to be as great an issue, except for the fact that they've been using the same style since the first game.

    (Personally, while I don't like the new Pokemon quite as much, I got attached to some of them while playing DPPt, so I don't mind new ones even if they don't look as pretty as they used to.)

  • ndjn3979

    Great analysis. I feel that you are asking too much from a company which is already enjoying success off those myriad of mediocre games. Last Pokemon I played was Sapphire off emulation.

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    Also, stories may or may not take away a sense of customization in the game. With Pokemon, the minimalistic story allows you to train your Pokemon and goof off as you see fit without worrying about so-and-so plot point.

  • Jaxx-Leviathan

    I can see the problem that people tend to point out with the “new gen = new pokemon”, it seems shallow and somewhat meaningless in the long run. But I actually don't agree with that point. I second the emotion of uniqueness of training a six-pkmn team of your own choosing, which Ishaan points out. I like to think that the six pkmn I train are a reflection of my personality. And so a massive – several hundred in fact – bunch of different (sometimes somewhat similar, but they try their best I'm sure) pkmn should make for a… as close as you can get to it; unique team. Who cares about trying all of the critters in battle or almost neurotically training everyone to lv. 100? Not me. I'm quite satisfied with “bonding” with my six chosen units of data and polygones.
    Btw, I'd like the radio back as a mainstay in the series and for pkmn's to follow behind you to stay as well.

  • http://www.liquid-crystal.biz/ kryptonics

    I enjoy the turn based battles, I just think the speed could and should be
    doubled. I'll have to give HGSS a try.

    In my opinion, it would be nice if every turn based RPG had a dash of Half
    Minute Hero. :D

  • Masengan

    GBplayer? Sounds like a great item since I heard the remake of the Dragon's Den theme and was not pleased, good to know you can switch 'em back for more nostalgia.

  • Masengan

    I can totally picture a Tales of battle mechanic, I would like it =]

  • http://www.siliconera.com Ishaan

    Rhyperior? Magmortar? WTF? What have you done, GEN-4?!!!

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    …I guess that means you haven't heard of Weavile or Lickilicky or Tangrowth…

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    I used to imagine the Pokemon games in Super Smash Bros. mechanics, but dang, that would take a LOT of effort to do XD

  • MisterNiwa

    Wow yeah, exactly what i thought.

    I love the idea about starting in different cities based on a personality test. :D

  • Pichi

    I feel like I'm the only one who likes Rhyperior, lol! The other mention pokemon, especially Tangrowth, feel a bit let down in ways. They went with safe rather than try to go beyond, IMO.

  • http://terracannon876.livejournal.com Laura

    Haha, don't feel that way. I have a Rhyperior of my own that I had raised. Defense is goodly, and Attack is good … but damn, that Sp. Def and Speed…

    I just don't think it looks “pretty,” so to speak, unlike Rhydon =P

  • Plethora22

    I would love to see some of the regions from previous games, particularly the first two gens, revisited as a part of the main plot (not as a post game throw in), and allow players to experience a bit of nostalgia while in the midst of a new adventure… What if Ash or Brock or Misty (or all three) were part of the Elite Four? What if they fleshed out some links in the various legendary pokemon stories?

    I just think its unfortunate that the main storyline of each game has essentially existed in a vacuum, with only the occasional passing reference to previous games…

  • Joanna_T

    I guess I'm the only one who did not notice XD Although I agree with the surfing, it was too slow.

  • Joanna_T

    Including all old areas would be asking too much, but even one of the old areas would be very welcomed. If they can do it in S/G/C and SS/HG then I do not see why they cannot do it again.

  • Nika

    - Only 1 new legendary
    - Only about 30 new pokemon
    - More quests and events
    - Longer routes between the cities.

    And pleas let them not make any new evolutions or pre-evolutions to existing pokemon. Magnezone and whatever it was that rhydon or magmar evolve into have scarred me for life. God are those things hideous. Not as bad as Giratina though, the first time I saw it online I actually thought it was a fake.

  • Nika

    - Only 1 new legendary
    - Only about 30 new pokemon
    - More quests and events
    - Longer routes between the cities.

    And pleas let them not make any new evolutions or pre-evolutions to existing pokemon. Magnezone and whatever it was that rhydon or magmar evolve into have scarred me for life. God are those things hideous. Not as bad as Giratina though, the first time I saw it online I actually thought it was a fake.

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