Topic: Pokemon Sword & Shield

Debating whether to show up live for this or not. The chat is going to be SO toxic.

You know something that bothers me? I feel that the general atmosphere of dexgate has allowed a lot of folks like myself to really flesh out our criticisms of the franchise really failing to evolve, and to some degree losing its way.

But I know that very few of those people are going to end up writing reviews, because most review websites will assign Sword and Shield to one of their staff members who is a hardcore Pokemon fan (such as Miranda Sanchez of IGN). While there's nothing wrong with being one of those hardcore fans who gets excited tiny details like character models and gym leaders and have been mostly satisfied with incremental changes, that should definitely not be the only audience reviewing a game.

I don't think it's reasonable to have someone who is brand new to the franchise review the game, but I do think it would be nice to see someone who has played the franchise and has a more mixed view. I know many people who reviewed BOTW felt the Zelda series was going in the wrong direction when it came out for example.

Also I know this isn't just an issue with Pokemon. It's an issue with many semi-annualized franchises, and is one of the reasons that poor business practices can sometimes skirt by.

I'm honestly most excited to see Arlo's review, since he's had a on/off experience with the games, and is more of a casual fan like I am.

Most review outlets are PR machines and have been for years. Just stick with whoever you trust and ignore the built-in hype machines.

Somehow, I think you want a bad review of this because of your criticisms...

@LzWinky No, I want a tough but fair review. Is Sword and Shield a good game for someone who is a casual Pokemon fan who only picks up the game intermittently, and would like to see significant progress for the series? If you took the word "Pokemon" out of the title, would they be good games?

@Anti-Matter That sounds terrible and like the complete end of any form of reasonable vs mode. No thank you.

it would be cool if they add a labo mode for rotom drome where you can take pictures and view them

1 hour 15 minutes to Pokemon Direct !

Well, that what was a short and weird trailer. Don't really have anything to say, other than that I like what they did with Zigzagoon and its evolution line.

Galarian Form Confirmed !!! 😆

Most of the character designs in these games are pretty great so far.

I thought for certain they'd abandon the new form concept after Gen VII like they always do, so I'm pleased to see it brought back and expanded upon (new evolutions to go with the new forms, perfect, plus it's not all gen 1 this time.)

That said... Galarean Weezing I feel the same about as Alolan Grimer. Not great.

Morpeko is actually the first Pikaclone to interest me since Emolga, so props to them there.

I'm certainly hoping that we see Galarean forms for more Hoenn Pokemon in particular since that region has a high number of designs that can be improved.

@Tsurii https://swordshield.pokemon.com/en-us/gameplay/pokejobs/

It's this new thing, Pokejobs, where you send Pokemons to do a job and get exp / items kind of thing

The Japanese trailer certainly introduced things in more natural way. I was wondering why they decided to show Galarian Zigzagoon at the beginning of the English trailer and then had it appear again once the evil team was introduced. Same thing for Marnie. The evil team also had twice as much screen time in the Japanese one instead of being a throwaway thing at the end of the trailer.

Looks like they found use for their Pokémon Quest assets as well. They took so long to make that they just had to find a way to use them again. (Obvious sarcasm.) I find it funny.

Agreed! Overall the more I watch it, the more excited I am for this release XD

Pokemon will be perfect for winding down after all the hype stuff releasing...

You know, I hadn't thought about this, but...

Bede and Marnie finally seem to be rivals who aren't going to be kissing the ground you walk on. Bede, in particular, looks intolerably smug!

Finally. I've been wanting someone I can hate for the right reasons.

@Tsurii Gladion was fine, I guess, but he never made much of an impression on me, like most of the SuMo characters.

@shinesprites SwSh's human game is looking pretty strong so far (although I'm not hopeful for Hop; we'll see). Nessa and Allister are pretty cool. Sonia, too.

It all depends on the writing however. Hopefully it’s satisfactory

@shinesprites I liked Team Skull, personally. Having the 'team' in every game be a group of nefarious criminals or psychopaths gets a bit old.

I'm not actually sold on Team Yell, yet, but we'll see.