Pokemon has so much potential...

[Strawberry-FOXY-Cake]

...I don't know why Nintendo squanders one of it's best franchises by making the exact same game over and over again....

Don't get me wrong. I love the Pokemon games, but we've essentially been playing the EXACT same game for 10+ years

Like many of us here, I have played through: R/B/G/Y/S/G/C/R/S/E/D/P/Pt/HG/SS And aside from slight atheistic difference, each and every one of those games played out the EXACT same way.
Sure, there are different Pokemon, new attacks, new gym leaders, different towns/other places to explore. But all of those things are only skin deep...

The fact is, every hand-held Pokemon game has followed the same formula.
(I'm sure no one needs me to explain this, but for argument sake
You start as a Pokemonless kid from X, who helps professor X who in return gives you one of three starter Pokemon.
You then travel around being randomly assaulted by people and Pokemon who force you into closed, turn based 1vs1 or 2vs2 battle.
You can only attack by selected one of 4 moves from a set that is either learned by leveling or by TM/HM.
You go from town to town, leveling your team and catching new Pokemon after weakening them in battle. You battle the gym leader and get a badge. Then move on to the next town.
Eventually after foiling a team of thugs you'll get 8 badges then pwn the Elite 4. Then beat your rival.
The end.


I was preying that B/W would be a welcomed break from this formula.
Now please don't be an idiot and flame me, I think that the basic Pokemon game play style is amazing!
But I also think that Pokemon has so much more potential!

From what I've seen so far, B/W seems like the same shit, just with more pretty(pointless) atheistic changes piled on. Maybe it's just because I'm not as pleased by things like 'new' Pokemon or silly Nintendo stylist gimmicks, but I'm really worried that B/W will be BORING.
There are just only so many YEARS I can spend playing the exact same game =x

 

[Falconwing]

Yes, because six images and one video tells that BW is exactly like the last 14 years.

 

[cowboy dan]

This seems more like a blog...

but don't buy the game if it's old and boring

 

[Strawberry-FOXY-Cake]

Yes, because six images and one video tells that BW is exactly like the last 14 years.

Considering Nintendo's ridiculously long history of beating a dead horse till it turns to dust...


I really really hope that B/W brings something new to the Pokemon world as far as game play goes.
But I've learned over the past few years not to get your hopes up -__-;;

 

[Rocky505]

RSE brought double battles, natures, abilities, battle frontier. Every game isnt the same. since gen 2 every gen has added something new.

 

[Strawberry-FOXY-Cake]

RSE brought double battles, natures, abilities, battle frontier. Every game isnt the same. since gen 2 every gen has added something new.

None of those new things have effected the basic game play.
Natures and abilities may have slightly modified your strategy to finding a wild Pokemon to train. But neither feature has a big enough impact on game play to consider RSE any different then the past games.
You still have 6 Pokemon who for some reason can't seem to remember more then 4 attacks. You still have to partake in eight, closed, turn based, gyms before facing the final 4(+rvial) closed, turn based, battles.

 

[cowboy dan]

I think you should look into the metagame.

 

[Rocky505]

If you dont like it then dont play it. The games are different they may have a similar pattern for the story in every gen but there are still differences.

 

[Strawberry-FOXY-Cake]

If you dont like it then dont play it. The games are different they may have a similar pattern for the story in every gen but there are still differences.

Are you illiterate?
Did you not comprehend that part of my first post? That part I BOLDED, even.

Don't get me wrong. I love the Pokemon games

Also, I didn't deny the games having differences.
The point I'm trying to make is that all the changes made through-out the last few games have, for the good majority, have been nothing but atheistic changes.
We are still playing the same basic game as we were with R/B/G/Y
And that's really sad, since Pokemon could be capable of so much more...

 

[Rocky505]

Are you illiterate?
Did you not comprehend that part of my first post? That part I BOLDED, even.


Also, I didn't deny the games having differences.
The point I'm trying to make is that all the changes made through-out the last few games have, for the good majority, have been nothing but atheistic changes.
We are still playing the same basic game as we were with R/B/G/Y
And that's really sad, since Pokemon could be capable of so much more...

It isnt really sad, if they did change those ways the franchise would most likely die. If you love the games then why are you sad that it hasnt changed.

 

[Falconwing]

Got any ideas you want to share?

 

[Lysandre]

I'm not trying to be sarcastic here when I ask- what would YOU consider a valid improvement? I'm just truly curious, as I'm not quite getting what you're after.

It's obvious that you enjoyed the RBGY days. Since then we have had the Stadium series, Colosseum/XD series, Mystery Dungeon series, Ranger series, Hey You Pikachu type games series, Snap, the Pinball series... what more would you have them add to the main gameplay?

Since RBGY, we've added natures, abilities, an insanely complicated IV system, double battles, shinies, individual traits that effect stats, contests, the Pokeathelon... what exactly are you after?

I would almost argue that the games are getting too complicated now. Especially with a metagame that centers almost entirely around numbers that have to be monitored by keeping tally sheets and then updating them into a calculator on the computer, I feel that the games were more enjoyable on an everyday basis when the movesets meant more than the perfect nature/IVs/EVs/traits. So I'm in agreement with you there. What I'm interested to know is just- what more can they do? We've had a bucket full of spinoffs that completely changed the gameplay like the PMD games, what more can be done to the core series?

 

[Strawberry-FOXY-Cake]

It isnt really sad, if they did change those ways the franchise would most likely die. If you love the games then why are you sad that it hasnt changed.

Wow, are you serious? ROFL

Got any ideas you want to share?

If Nintendo created a non-linear Pokemon game, with live battles, a strong focus on character customization, and real-time multiplayer, you're telling me that the franchise would DIE?
You seriously believe no one would want to play an awesome game like that? Well kiddo, you're welcome to keep fiddling around with the same old toy. But I want something new and shinny, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd agree.

The original Pokemon game is fantastic. Too bad I've played that same damn game for 10+ years straight. You might be entertained by endless repetition, but I'd much prefer something different!

With the capabilities of the Wii, MMORPGs making the fat cash they now, Nintendo would be foolish to not branch out and expand their most adaptable franchise.

 

[Takoto]

To be honest, I partly agree with Strawberry, but when has a main-series Pokémon game ever been radically different? They all follow the basic formula of "beat gyms, beat bad guys, beat elite four" and now in more recent games "beat frontier".

You can say "METAGAME!" or you can call out changes like "DOUBLE BATTLES!" but the story line is always so similar. Sure they sugar-coat it a little to make it slightly less repetitive, but look at the basics, and you'll see.

I've been thinking about this a lot recently to be honest, and whilst ether way I will buy Pokémon Black and/or White regardless of story (I buy Pokémon for the Pokémon and characters, not really for the plot line), it would be nice for Nintendo/Game Freak to shake things up a little more... Not that they really have to, millions of people would still buy the games regardless of how amazing or terrible the story-line is.

*prepares shield for incoming rage*

 

[IceBlue]

Wow, are you serious? ROFL


If Nintendo created a non-linear Pokemon game, with live battles, a strong focus on character customization, and real-time multiplayer, you're telling me that the franchise would DIE?
You seriously believe no one would want to play an awesome game like that? Well kiddo, you're welcome to keep fiddling around with the same old toy. But I want something new and shinny, and I'm sure there are plenty of people who'd agree.

The original Pokemon game is fantastic. Too bad I've played that same damn game for 10+ years straight. You might be entertained by endless repetition, but I'd much prefer something different!

With the capabilities of the Wii, MMORPGs making the fat cash they now, Nintendo would be foolish to not branch out and expand their most adaptable franchise.

Way to spell shiny.

And anyway, like others have said, if you're bored of the games, here's an idea.




DON'T PLAY THEM.
Scandolous, right?

 

[Lysandre]

To be honest, I partly agree with Strawberry, but when has a main-series Pokémon game ever been radically different? They all follow the basic formula of "beat gyms, beat bad guys, beat elite four" and now in more recent games "beat frontier".

You can say "METAGAME!" or you can call out changes like "DOUBLE BATTLES!" but the story line is always so similar. Sure they sugar-coat it a little to make it slightly less repetitive, but look at the basics, and you'll see.

I've been thinking about this a lot recently to be honest, and whilst ether way I will buy Pokémon Black and/or White ether way, it would be nice for Nintendo/Game Freak to shake things up a little more... Not that they really have to.

*prepares shield for incoming rage*

Good point on the story, I totally missed that point on the OP. I'm hiding behind the same flame shield as you, for I share your viewpoints.

 

[Regiruler]

My troll detector is acting up. I wonder why?

 

[Orion-Sama]

Yes. Pokémon should change its base formula the same way Mario, Zelda, Metroid, Star Fox and Fire Emblem have changed theirs.

Anyone that keeps up with Nintendo knows this is the way their series work. There might be overhauls (Ocarina of Time, Metroid Prime), but the basics of the gameplay are the exact same they've always been. Their core as it is remains the same.

I remember Star Fox Adventures, one major change from the very genre said series had been following up to then. People didn't like the lack of airship combat. Same thing would happen if Pokémon decided to move from its core, even though people will always complain anyway, because either they changed it, or because it's the same. :/

Hell, very few series, not just Nintendo's, change their core gameplay constantly. Final Fantasy comes to mind, and the reception is mixed at best. As far as I go, I prefer series that keep the same core, but shake things enough to make every game feel new. It's true the 4th Generation didn't shake things up as much as the 2nd or 3rd Generation, but it's not without any merits. The Physical/Special Attack split was an amazing change that has greatly helped so many Pokémon, and the plot in Diamond/Pearl and Platinum is by far the best one yet when it comes down to the characterization. Likewise, there's certain shake-ups I disliked, such as Super Contests and Poffins, but that ultimately comes down to personal preference. As does this thread.

 

[Hyasynth]

While I see where you're coming from and do agree to an extent, what could GF possibly do to change things up? While on one hand changing things would be interesting, it's wisest for them not to fix what isn't broken. Chances are, it'll just backfire and blow up in their faces.

And I like the current formula. The changes done in each game are enough to keep the game fresh enough to me.

 

[Sombra29]

Boy,this argument is always so hilarious.

If Nintendo created a non-linear Pokemon game, with live battles, a strong focus on character customization, and real-time multiplayer, you're telling me that the franchise would DIE?

I dont want a non-linear pokemon game,I want a straigh up game,with strategic turn based battles,strong focus on team customization and simple wi-fi.Not a WoW game with mons.

If you want changes in the foruma,with the same mons,then try the 3204932'0 spin-offs.They are popular too.

If the games are so "uninteresing" and wasting-potential,millions of people wouldnt play them.Gamers arent stupid,if a game is worth to be called uninteresting,it is not bought.
Simple as that.


Super Mario games have used the same formula for a longer time.But it works,and they are friggin awesome and FUN games,becouse the formulas of a game DONT MATTER.What matters is what the game contents,what it offers.And what POKEMON games need to offer each time is new and interesting POKEMON.That is all.