Topic: Pokémon Winds and Waves

So, the main characters holding Anti Gravity board that can sliding on water and gliding in the sky??

I'm gobsmacked by how good this game looks. Not to oversell graphics but, when you're playing a video game, the aesthetic appeal is a huge part of the experience. Doesn't need to push realism, but a coherent, pleasing art style is huge. And this game finally nails it.

But it's not just the visuals. It's the music, too. Listen to the orchestral theme for Winds and Waves. This is really good stuff! I've never thought of good music when playing a Pokemon game. Until now, that is.

ORCHESTRAL THEME

They really need voiced dialog for this one. That would be the cherry on top that sets everything off.

@Bolt_Strike
That makes sense, actually. They're very careful about revealing new mechanics in the first trailer.

I've seen some people online talk about this strange Gyarados-shaped cloud from near the end of the reveal trailer. I noticed that too on my initial viewing, and it immediately brought to mind the game Sea of Thieves. In SoT, peculiarly-shaped clouds can appear on islands to designate some sort of event happening on that particular island. I could definitely see something like this happening in Wi/Wa, with clouds potentially signalling the player that an island is presently playing host to a Mass Outbreak, a rare boss Pokemon, or something else entirely.

It could also easily just be a coincidence, but hey, I like to speculate.

@Anti-Matter Please spoiler that for those that don't want to see the Teraleaks and waiting for the official reveal (probably not for months given the 2027 release).

But that's what the leaks are indicating, yes.

Also GVG posted this video comparing the graphics to SV and New Pokemon Snap.

As someone who's an outspoken critic of graphics even I have to admit, the difference between SV and WW especially is pretty striking, it's impossible to deny. This is what an extra 1-2 years of development gets you, glad that they listened to the fans and are taking their time with this.

@JaxonH I've always been a big fan of Pokemon music (especially the OSTs from Gens 4-6), but I must say this orchestral Main Theme is quite unique, and stands out from many of the Pokemon series' previous tracks. It has a surprisingly imposing quality, in stark contrast to the bouncy and jovial title theme of SV, and now has me wondering what general tone they'll be aiming for with this game for this to be the main theme.

I'm glad that Gamefreak finally figured out how to make an appealing looking HD video game.

I'm still all in on the idea of HD-2D B/W, and maybe this is just lower standards but this does feel above the "its 3D graphics now so who cares if its good?" approach to modernizing classic video game series that I've grown to hate. Between this, Mario Wonder and to a lesser extent the new Megaman, nature is healing.

@Bolt_Strike The fact it's being developed for a substantially stronger hardware definitely helps, too.

Got to say, really quite impressed.

@JaxonH
A couple of those screenshots remind me of New Pokemon Snap.
Perhaps they learned something from that game.

@Uncle_Franklin
Funny you say that. Going in, my hopes were to see a Pokemon game on par with New Pokemon Snap, and yet, I feel it even exceeded that.

Courtesy of the GVG comparison:

Feels like this could be the Zelda BotW of Pokemon, if they add voice acting to the beautiful visuals and spellbinding soundtrack. Even if it's a half-step compared to Zelda BotW, that would be good enough for me.

@UpsideDownRowlet
Music makes such an impact on the gaming experience. And I adore orchestra.

Likely means they're taking audio more seriously this time. Perhaps we'll get 5.1 surround and new audio samples for minor sound effects?