5 Post-Game Ideas For SM

[8BitPoipole]

It's a given that SM will have gimmicky features throughout the game. I can safely bet money on cafés/restaurants where you can battle trainers of varying levels depending on progress.
But, XY and ORAS were lacking in post-game content. I mean, yeah, Emerald's features bar the Battle Frontier were thrown into the Delta Episode, but I'm talking optional expanded areas.
Despite being an 11 year old game, I'd still put Emerald down as my favourite in terms of post-game content purely because of the Safari Zone expansion and the Battle Frontier, and strangely we've not had anything to that scale since then.
This brings me to the topic, 5 post-game ideas for SM.
Let's get straight to it.

1. Safari Zone/Friend Safari
Whether it's one or the other or both, the last time a Pokémon game had a Safari Zone was Platinum, since then they've been gimmicky and weird.
HGSS had some fun features but they took away from the fun of a Safari Zone. How about implementing HGSS' Safari Zone features into a new Friend Safari and/or having a real Safari Zone that's expanded after you finish the game? Maybe even including 7th Gen Pokémon that can only be found in the expanded Safari Zone (but that might be pushing it).

2. Secret Base/Underground
I very much doubt that either of these features specifically will return, but how about some sort of equivalent?
ORAS' Secret Bases had potential, so how about a complete expansion of the concept? How about a Secret Island?
You'd go to the inevitable port town, and choose which friend's island you want to visit, and on that island would be a customised natural area with a "base" type of area, with your trainer at the end of it as if it's your own gym or hideout. To make it better, why not include wild Pokémon on your island? Choose up to 12 wild Pokémon for each type of terrain you can choose from, and for balance restrict it to only non-legendary Pokémon you've already caught.
It's a big idea that probably sounds unrealistic, but I bet in Gen V the idea of Mega evolving and customising your trainer sounded ludicrous, right?

3. A Second Region
Whether it's Kalos for the story (which I'm 99% certain will happen) or a completely new area, I think a second region is a must.
Post-game areas have never really been enough. The second half of Unova was ok, but thanks to a lack of story it seemed smaller than it could have. I also wasn't keen on Sevii Islands purely because the wild Pokémon were tragically low leveled.
So, either a set of islands or a completely new region I think seems fair and realistic, especially considering the next point I'm going to make.

4. Gym and Elite Four Rematches
Oh, XY... Why do this to me...
No gym OR E4 rematches? Insanity. I say bring the main game level creep down a touch and up the post-game level creep to 80-83, like the challenge mode in White 2.
Give the same treatment to gym leaders too, because rematching gym leaders is just cool.
Also, finally, make it so the post-game region levels provide sufficient training for said rematches.

5. BATTLE FRONTIER
To be honest, after the tragedy that was ORAS' post-game and XY's existence, I think we all need a Battle Frontier, especially with all the gimmicks we have now.
Keep the single and double options that we're used to, and have facilities for Rotation, Triple and Inverse battles. That leaves maybe four more new facility ideas (I'm expecting 7 because 8 is too much and 5 isn't enough). Let's say the standard Battle Tower stays, and we have 3 left for something new and cool, or maybe even for recycled ideas like the Battle Pike, Battle Dome or Battle Castle.
I even have specific ideas (included in the spoiler tag)

Spoiler

Battle Tower
-Single/Double/Multi battles in sets of 7 until you get past milestones of 21, 50 and 100

Battle Garden
-Choose one Pokémon to accompany you at first, this Pokémon follows you in the overworld of the facility
-Similar to the Battle Pyramid, but you can catch and use the wild Pokémon only within the facility and store them for next time.
-Wild Pokémon randomize every time to enter
-Beat each area to get to the "floor leader", battle Frontier Brain after 3 floor leaders

Battle Casino
-Single, double, triple or rotation battles
-Spin two wheels to decide what trainer you fight next and what effect activates when the match starts

Battle Circus
-SIngle inverse battles only
-Chooses 3 Pokémon in your team of 6 based on a dice roll

Battle Dojo
-Battles take place on a variety of fields, each field affects the Pokémon in play
-If you win, you choose the next field, but if you loose the opponent choose next

Battle Arena
-Emerald's Battle Arena revamped

Battle Factory
-Emerald's Battle Factory revamped
-Optionally, use Factory Coins (earn 3 from each battle, permanently stored everytime you use the facility) to rent items for your Pokémon or status inflictions for the opponent

Lastly, on this whole Frontier thing, I'd really love it if in the Battle Tower, you randomly fought your friends.

That is all, what ideas do you have?

 

[Icy Wind]

favourite in terms of post-game content purely because of the Safari Zone expansion

The only reason why the safari zone extension of emerald existed in the first place was just to give you access to unobtainable mons in RS and FRLG(miltank, mareep, teddiursa ect...). Otherwise, there is no need to it to exist in other gens imo.

3. A Second Region

Maduda explicity said in an interview about xy that the series have moved on from that kind of post game.

5. BATTLE FRONTIER

Sun and Moon are the first entry of a generation. First pair of a generation can not have a battle frontier in them because game freak has to focus on making the new region, new pokemon ect....

I think you're making too high expectations for Sun and Moon in terms of post-game tbh.

 

[SeanWheeler]

• Safari Zones are okay. But don't make a Gen 7 Pokémon Post-National Dex exclusive.
• Secret Bases are fine.
• I highly doubt they would put Kalos in the Gen 7 games. Why Kalos? Only the Johto games have access to the previous region. If Kalos is in the game, I would want all previous regions. But that would take up a lot of memory.
• XY doesn't let you rechallenge the Elite Four? Well, at least you battle them in the Battle Chateau. Although, I would like to rematch the gym leaders in their gyms.
• Yeah! Bring back the Battle Frontier. Your idea looks great.

 

[8BitPoipole]

The only reason why the safari zone extension of emerald existed in the first place was just to give you access to unobtainable mons in RS and FRLG(miltank, mareep, teddiursa ect...). Otherwise, there is no need to it to exist in other gens imo.


Maduda explicity said in an interview about xy that the series have moved on from that kind of post game.

Sun and Moon are the first entry of a generation. First pair of a generation can not have a battle frontier in them because game freak has to focus on making the new region, new pokemon ect....

I think you're making too high expectations for Sun and Moon in terms of post-game tbh.

However, a decent Safari Zone is long overdue
Also, if not a second region then at least a large island with a new area, I really think SM could break that expectation because XY didn't have a follow up, it was just primary pair and remakes, they clearly didn't know what they were doing in Gen VI because XY were exactly the type of games to deserve a follow up but it didn't happen, so if they don't plan on Sun and Moon getting a follow up either, my money's on a visably complete primary pair.
Tbh, I don't "expect" any of this to happen, because these ideas would make the games large and playable for more than 100 hours which Game Freak don't seem to like doing now. Just ideas based on what could happen.

 

[SeanWheeler]

A post-game island would be good too.

 

[Icy Wind]

However, a decent Safari Zone is long overdue

Honestly, i don't miss the safari zones from gen 1/3/4. You literally had to relie on sheer luck if you wanted to have a chance to catch a mon in them, and there are better ways to get rare pokemon than them.

because XY were exactly the type of games to deserve a follow up but it didn't happen,

Whether or not you think a game "deserves" a follow up game is completely subjective, period. I wanted to get an xy follow up myself, but just because i wanted to have one doesn't mean that everybody does.(or game freak, for that matter).

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

1. Zygarde with it's forms and possibly Eternal Floette. This is a must for me.
2. Kalos return - things still need solving.
3. Gym leader rematches - proper six on six battles.
4. New area where powerful wild pokemon are staying with one particularly powerful pokemon.
5. New battle facility - Game Freak made it clear that Battle Frontier isn't coming back.

 

[Lufenium]

Sun and Moon are the first entry of a generation. First pair of a generation can not have a battle frontier in them because game freak has to focus on making the new region, new pokemon ect...

Just because it hasn't happened before doesn't mean it can't happen at all.

Normally I'd agree, but after the seeming end of third versions, and X/Y and OR/AS teasing it (with X/Y also alluding to a new region city and champion), I think that there's a good chance chance they've been working to add it this time.

 

[Icy Wind]

Normally I'd agree, but after the seeming end of third versions

We don't know that. Just because gen 6 didn't get a sequel/third version/ whatever doesn't mean that they decided to stop making them for good.

and X/Y and OR/AS teasing it (with X/Y also alluding to a new region city and champion), I think that there's a good chance chance they've been working to add it this time.

But considering Masuda's comment on the battle frontier's exclusion in oras, i think it's safe to say that the battle is never going to return unless there's a huge demand for it from the fans.

 

[Boss1708]

We don't know that. Just because gen 6 didn't get a sequel/third version/ whatever doesn't mean that they decided to stop making them for good.

But considering Masuda's comment on the battle frontier's exclusion in oras, i think it's safe to say that the battle is never going to return unless there's a huge demand for it from the fans.

Exactly. When you think about it, all the demand there is for the Battle Frontier coming back, is a few hundreds (even thousands?) fans complaining on online forums about its absence. And the games are played by tens of millions of players, who are not complaining (demanding) one missing feature, because they are too busy enjoying all the new features the new games offer.

I mean sure, there is *some* demand for the Battle Frontier returning (I want it back too), but I would say there is more demand for following Pokemon from HGSS returning, and Game Freak couldn't care less: it hasn't returned ever since.

I would want both features returning, but it's GFs games, they decide what feature to include in each game.

 

[Blockhead Pippi]

Sun and Moon are the first entry of a generation. First pair of a generation can not have a battle frontier in them because game freak has to focus on making the new region, new pokemon ect....

Just like how every generation absolutely must have a third version?

Game Freak is doing things differently now and moving on from the norm. Just because previous generations didn't have a dedicated battle frontier or facility in the first two versions, doesn't mean it's always going to be that way. Since Game Freak are obviously moving on from the third versions, I think that only gives more reason why there should be a battle frontier. It doesn't have to be that big either. A little more variety than just Battle Maison would be fair.

 

[8BitPoipole]

That's the sad thing, they hate repeating features. The closest we got was secret bases and Battle Frontier Gen IV, and they were done completely different anyway (the Battle Frontier being worse)
But with them shaking things up, I think it's fair to assume they'll alter some popular old features so they're different enough to be exciting for everyone and similar enough to ignite some form of nostalgia.

On the argument of games "deserving" follow ups, I mean that from a completely factual point of view.
As in, XY are quite possibly the most incomplete, follow-up teasing games we've ever had, purely because of it's poor post-game (honestly the last post-game that was that terrible was Ruby/Sapphire, there's really no excuse), Z legendary, pathetic number of new Pokémon and basically half a region (so much free space on that map).
I think Game Freak MUST have learned from Gen VI that you can't make an incomplete, thrown together semi-3D emulator without something to justify it. We had 70% of a game, remakes, then Gen VII.
Game Freak aren't exactly a company to make good decisions, but there has to be a limit. As game developers AND businessmen, they should make Sun and Moon as full and complete as possible, while leaving room for a follow up, and I think Sun and Moon sequels are highly likely considering the fact that Diamond/Pearl remakes are around 4 years away, meaning either an SM follow up or Gen VIII in 2018 which won't happen.

In summary, I think if SM don't have follow up(s) and 2018's games are a complete curveball, they should be full of features.
If it's another half-game, we can expect the good stuff in "S2/M2"

 

[Boss1708]

Why are we assuming XY are an error that needs fixing, though? I am sure it isn't, at least in Game Freak's opinion.

I am sorry, but I can't stand it when fans act as if certain game is objectively bad, or a flop. We don't have official statistics, and I am quite sure that most people (the vast majority) loved XY, and don't see/care about those errors that some of us (me included) see in XY.

 

[8BitPoipole]

Why are we assuming XY are an error that needs fixing, though? I am sure it isn't, at least in Game Freak's opinion.

I am sorry, but I can't stand it when fans act as if certain game is objectively bad, or a flop. We don't have official statistics, and I am quite sure that most people (the vast majority) loved XY, and don't see/care about those errors that some of us (me included) see in XY.

Of course, I can't say that those games being bad is a fact, but it is objectively lacking in content and pretty lazy, and I really don't like anything that doesn't have as much content and effort put into it as it could.
It's why I've never released a game despite having made several over the years, because if I put out anything I've already completed, while functional as a complete product, it just won't do because it's possible to do more.
It's also why I've never released music, instead I've been perfecting it for about a year and THEN releasing it.

 

[Desdar300]

Why are we assuming XY are an error that needs fixing, though? I am sure it isn't, at least in Game Freak's opinion.

I am sorry, but I can't stand it when fans act as if certain game is objectively bad, or a flop. We don't have official statistics, and I am quite sure that most people (the vast majority) loved XY, and don't see/care about those errors that some of us (me included) see in XY.

The aren't bad to me at all but there are problems that do need fixing. S\M have to be amazing games because their the titles that are celebrating the 20th anniversary which means they have to make not just the fans but the world see why Pokémon is so beloved by millions. It's show-time now and these games could take back Pokémon's throne in Japan.

 

[Arceus the Dragon]

XY had plenty of content and they were the first games of gen 6. The only downside was Zygarde's forms never made it to the gen 6 games. Therefore, I want Zygarde to appear as a post game with it's forms in Sun and Moon.

 

[Lyrebird]

1 - More places to explore. Doesn't have to be a 2nd region. Can be something like the Sevii Islands. Just more places to explore.
2 - Contests. I mean if they aren't in game. I would like them opened up at the end for something else to do.
3 - Battle Frontier - People love it, so why not?
4 - More trainers to battle. Not really fussed about rematches.
5 - More Pokemon to battle/catch I guess.

 

[Icy Wind]

Exactly. When you think about it, all the demand there is for the Battle Frontier coming back, is a few hundreds (even thousands?) fans complaining on online forums about its absence. And the games are played by tens of millions of players, who are not complaining (demanding) one missing feature, because they are too busy enjoying all the new features the new games offer.

I mean sure, there is *some* demand for the Battle Frontier returning (I want it back too), but I would say there is more demand for following Pokemon from HGSS returning, and Game Freak couldn't care less: it hasn't returned ever since.

I would want both features returning, but it's GFs games, they decide what feature to include in each game.

Honestly, people who want the "pokemo following behind you" thing from HGSS to return are deluding themselves. Game freak can't just chibify 700+ 3d models for pokemon like sprites.

But yeah, i agree that it's up to Game freak's decisions on the feature of the games, not the fans.

Just like how every generation absolutely must have a third version?

Game Freak is doing things differently now and moving on from the norm. Just because previous generations didn't have a dedicated battle frontier or facility in the first two versions, doesn't mean it's always going to be that way. Since Game Freak are obviously moving on from the third versions, I think that only gives more reason why there should be a battle frontier. It doesn't have to be that big either. A little more variety than just Battle Maison would be fair.

Uh what? I'm not relying on patterns here. What i am saying is factually true.

Believe it or not, video game companies,movie studios, television networks, and other forms of entertainment (or moreprecisely, the people who distribute the entertainment)often schedule releasedates and target objectives duringdevelopment with little regard to howlong it actually takes to develop a game. So if you are a video game maker, and the Powers-That-Be say you have until X date to have it done, you've got toprioritize. Stuff like character design,plot, and whatnot are going to beprioritized over special features thatoften don't directly relate to the main game or are purely cosmetic.

Following this bit of logic, it is easy to see why Game Freak often utilizes the later released games to showcase newfeatures, extended plots, and whatnot due likely to the more time they get to develop it. And while I'm not a video game guru, I'd be surprised if other game developers don't do similar things. Back in the wasteland days of the mid 90s, PC games sometimes got "Expansion pack" releases and in the modern home consoles, there's downloadable content released that may include new features, plots, characters, missions, etc...

On the argument of games "deserving" follow ups, I mean that from a completely factual point of view.
As in, XY are quite possibly the most incomplete, follow-up teasing games we've ever had, purely because of it's poor post-game (honestly the last post-game that was that terrible was Ruby/Sapphire, there's really no excuse), Z legendary, pathetic number of new Pokémon and basically half a region (so much free space on that map).
I think Game Freak MUST have learned from Gen VI that you can't make an incomplete, thrown together semi-3D emulator without something to justify it. We had 70% of a game, remakes, then Gen VII.

It's all subjective.

Game Freak aren't exactly a company to make good decisions,

No, the fans who do nothing but complaining think that.

It's why I've never released a game despite having made several over the years, because if I put out anything I've already completed, while functional as a complete product, it just won't do because it's possible to do more.

But when you push back release dates when you don't need to, that's a good finanscal year gone for good, along with sluggish hardware sales.

 

[8BitPoipole]

Honestly, people who want the "pokemo following behind you" thing from HGSS to return are deluding themselves. Game freak can't just chibify 700+ 3d models for pokemon like sprites.

But yeah, i agree that it's up to Game freak's decisions on the feature of the games, not the fans.

Uh what? I'm not relying on patterns here. What i am saying is factually true.

Believe it or not, video game companies,movie studios, television networks, and other forms of entertainment (or moreprecisely, the people who distribute the entertainment)often schedule releasedates and target objectives duringdevelopment with little regard to howlong it actually takes to develop a game. So if you are a video game maker, and the Powers-That-Be say you have until X date to have it done, you've got toprioritize. Stuff like character design,plot, and whatnot are going to beprioritized over special features thatoften don't directly relate to the main game or are purely cosmetic.

Following this bit of logic, it is easy to see why Game Freak often utilizes the later released games to showcase newfeatures, extended plots, and whatnot due likely to the more time they get to develop it. And while I'm not a video game guru, I'd be surprised if other game developers don't do similar things. Back in the wasteland days of the mid 90s, PC games sometimes got "Expansion pack" releases and in the modern home consoles, there's downloadable content released that may include new features, plots, characters, missions, etc...


It's all subjective.

No, the fans who do nothing but complaining think that.

But when you push back release dates when you don't need to, that's a good finanscal year gone for good, along with sluggish hardware sales.

It's facts that back up an opinion I guess.
And, I wouldn't complain if the amount of content didn't ever decrease. Yes, technically every game has more than the last because of improving technology but in terms of context and scale, HGSS and Emerald pretty much have more content than XY.
And I'd rather lose out and put out something perfect than make money off something I know isn't as good as it should be. I was on a tour playing to 200+ people a night, it would've been beneficial to rush out a quick CD to sell but I didn't, and I think more business higher-ups need to apply that same logic.
Slate something for release when it's actually finished instead of deciding, because then we live in a world of temporarily entertaining crap.

 

[Silktree]

Uh what? I'm not relying on patterns here. What i am saying is factually true.

It is not factually true that Sun and Moon will lack a facility with more variety than the Battle Maison. They arguably foreshadowed it in XY and it will have been three years since then.