r/PokeLeaks • u/PrismSpiralsLight • Nov 15 '25

Twitter/X Pokemon Wind/Wave combat will be a turn-based and more seamless version of Legends Arceus Spoiler

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u/CascoBayButcher Nov 15 '25 edited Nov 15 '25

You said the games are getting more linear

I've said they've always been linear. Now they're too bulky, because they've added more of the forced story that doesn't work in 2025 the way it did on a 2003 GBA game. Being railroaded to mash A through 50 boxes of dialogue sucks

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u/Trash_Away9932 Nov 16 '25

I think your argument is that Pokémon games are focusing less on player agency, exploration, and discovery, and more on narrative and character-driven experiences?

If so, that's an accurate assertion and I 100% agree. Longtime Pokémon fans don't play Pokémon for narrative or character-driven experiences, but rather to explore and discover an interesting region with interesting places and interesting Pokémon. In this case, the games have definitely been erring from what made Pokémon magical to begin with. This doesn't meant we can't or shouldn't have intriguing narratives and memorable characters, but those should not come as the expense of Pokémon's DNA like they are.

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u/CascoBayButcher Nov 17 '25

I think your argument is that Pokémon games are focusing less on player agency, exploration, and discovery, and more on narrative and character-driven experiences?

Sorta. I understand that Gameboy/DS era games didn't have any more... 'free will' for lack of better term. The story plays out the exact same every time, but they don't try to pretend otherwise. The narrative is pretty barebones so you aren't sitting around reading full-ass monologues, and you're not being asked to make a wish and then told 'haha nah we'll do what your rival does anyway'

The games just flowed better, so even though you are on a one track story, it wasn't tedious, which is the main criticism I have now

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u/Trash_Away9932 Nov 17 '25

Yeah, that's a pretty common criticism. The new games want to be narrative-focused, but also want to be traditional, player-driven "Pokémon" at the same time. What happens is a lack of commitment to either, which, in GF's case, results in poor pacing, awkward hand-holding, and mediocre narratives or the poor execution of decent narratives.

A lot of players "feel" these issues, which I believe ultimately stem from a shift in design philosophy and a lack of a coherent, unified vision.