We might only be a few months into the run of Generation 8 ofPokémon, but that doesn’t stop us from thinking about Generation Four, because the train that isPokémonnever stops moving. While this set of games was received… oh so warmly, there are quite a few changes that the series needs to make moving into the next generation of games.
10A Graphical Overhaul
Pokémon Sword & Shieldare the pretties games in the series so far, but considering how other titles likeSuper Mario OdysseyandBreath of the Wildlook on the Switch, that really isn’t saying much. When the next set of games come around, an overhaul in the graphical fidelity of the titles would be great, especially to allow the brand new region really shine.
9An Animation Overhaul
Due to the overwhelmingnumber of Pokémonin the series so far, animations have become a bit of a hassle, and this makes sense, there’s a lot to do. However, Pokémon are so limited in how they can emote and use their moves, Blastoise has two cannons sitting on its back that it doesn’t even use. Fans wouldn’t mind a long wait for the new games if it meant a big improvement, and really pushing the animations (maybe even the main character’s facial expressions for once) would really help things out.
8Bring Back Gimmicks
Z-Moves, Mega Evolutions, the missing gimmicks of previous Generations were noticed inSword & Shield.While Dynamaxing and Gigantamaxing were certainly fun, we can’t help but miss what the previous Generations banked so much of their marketing on.
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Those features were integral to older games, and to rip them away from us really made us miss them. Getting them back in the next set of games would be great. Anyone else miss Triple Battles?
7Bring Back Every Pokémon
Look, we’re not going to go all #Dexit here, but getting every Pokémon back into the games isn’t that much of a stretch for the next Generation. We already are getting a ton of them back inSword & Shield’sDLC, so getting a couple hundred more back isn’t too far out of the realm of possibilities now. Like previously mentioned, a longer development cycle to really get the most out of the games wouldn’t be a problem, and this would go a long way in the eyes of many fans.
6More Of The Wild Area
Sword & Shield’sWild Area is so, so good. It is fantastic. The Max Raid Battles, the controllable camera, the open space, other trainers biking around in midair for no reason at all, the Wild Area was a superb addition toSword & Shield.While it’s probably a bit much to ask for an entire region to act like the Wild Area does in the next Generation, a few more areas, and maybe a larger portion of the region overall would be absolutely perfect.
5More Online Functionality
While the Wild Area does feature other trainers to talk to, you’re able to really only get some random dialogue and an item or two from them. Actually allowing trainers to interact with one another in designated areas such a the Wild Area would put us one step closer to thatPokémonMMORPG that we’re literally never going to get, and would help the world ofPokémonto feel a little more alive.
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Maybe work on that Nintendo Switch Online if you’re going to try and make that work, though. Just a thought.
4Take Risks
Game Freak plays it pretty safe when it comes toPokémon, never really shaking up the formula too much from Generation to Generation, and that is a shame. The series could use a shakeup. The biggest shift in the series in recent memory comes from the removal of gyms in theSun & Moongames, and even then, trials were a replacement that felt pretty similar overall. If a new idea fails, it’s not likePokémongames aren’t going to sell millions of copies. Plus, the series would be all the better for it.
3The Small Things
There are plenty of small things that could be changed in a brand new Generation ofPokémon.The ridiculous pop in all over the game, the poor optimization in some areas, many Pokémon cries still being computer-like garbles. These things aren’t hugely detrimental to a game’s success, of course, but cleaning up some of them would overall help to create a more polished Generation Four, and no one would have a problem with that.
2Additional Side Modes
Remember back in Generation Four where we’d dress up our Pokémon in a bunch of nonsense accessories and make them dance for some reason? More of that, please. There’s very few side modes inPokémonSword & Shield, save for some minigames like making curry. Simply having more to do is never bad, even if it is just a random little side mode.
1Voice Acting
The story ofPokémongames have started to get more involved with the past Generations, and to better reflect that, voice acting should be added to the series. There really wouldn’t need to be much of it, just in cutscenes, but just adding it in to those really impactful moments would go a long way toward making the game have a better story overall.
