I didn't watch the Direct since it started just as I quit working for the day, and seeing how much we have to do at the moment, going home earlier did not feel like a good idea. Besides, I didn't really feel like watching the direct either, just watching the trailer and reading the new info afterwards is enough. I am also annoyed at how it seems like they tend to reveal new things on Wednesdays, I don't have much free time on Wednesdays it is my busiest day of the week... until the summer, at least. Managed to squeeze in this during the little free time I have today at least.
Anyway, some short thoughts for the time being.
There were three things I wanted to see from the news today:
- Some more new Pokémon
- A release date
- The game covers and cover legends
And this new direct/trailer gave me all of these things! So I'm happy about that.
Some short thoughts on the things that were shown in the trailer:
- Version exclusive professors, did not expect that. Both of them look fine to me, I don't like either of them better than the other.
- Sprigatito is still the cutest.
- Nemona. All of my yes. One thing I have been thinking about that I really wanted to see in Pokémon is a main rival/friend who is a girl. Previously, the main rivals have either always been boys, the opposite of the gender you are playing as, or their gender has been version exclusive (Klara/Avery). But now, it seems like we finally have a main rival who's a girl and that is really great. Her hairstyle is a banger too.
- The new Pokémon look weird as always. Their designs feel very simple. I guess Pawmi will be the Pikaclone of this generation. I did not expect a pig, so Lechonk was a surprise. Smoliv looks a bit like a sad version of Hoppip.
- Playing together with friends is cool but not something I will be able to do as I don't have NSO nor anyone near me who also plays the games.
- It seems like your Pokémon can follow you, or that they can at least be outside of their Poké Balls? I hope it is well executed or that it can be turned off. Or both.
- Looks like there are many kinds of environments in the region, which is nice.
- More returning old Pokémon, neat. Feels weird that Chewtle and Coalossal are about to become "old" Pokémon now. Also, Venonat. As I saw someone else point out, it is the first time it appears in a regional dex outside of Kanto/Johto. The Venonat line is literally the only Kanto Pokémon which I am okay with getting some extra spotlight, so this is cool. And if they can give Venomoth a new form or whatever to make another boring and forgettable Kanto more interesting, then that's also nice.
- The cover legends were definitely not what I expected. Spontaneously, I like Violet's cover legend better than Scarlet's. This has made me unsure about which version to get. I was previously mostly interested in Scarlet but now I'm not sure anymore. It is very different compared to last time where I was all for Sword/Zacian from the beginning to the end. So I'm not sure. Guess I'll have to think about it for a bit. Both are still pretty cool though...
- Also, the covers. I was expecting them to just do the usual boring thing and feature the cover legend and nothing else which is a bit of a shame as it is a step back from the greatness of L:A. A bit disappointing, but I wasn't really expecting anything else tbh.
There's also the release date, which I made a prediction for in a previous post here:
While we're at it, I want to post my prediction for the release date: November 18th. If I’m wrong, I will change my avatar to Autumn Blaze and keep it for 33 days. Or I might do that even if I’m right.
And I got it right! Though it isn't exactly impressive since it was a very safe bet. It means I won't need to change my avatar... though I still think I will, just not to Autumn Blaze. I have another idea for an avatar which I'll use instead.
I think I will wait a month or two before I stop looking at new info about the games. Going into Sword 80-90% blind was a great decision and I am definitely going to do the same thing here. And since the fandom is sadly still terrible at handling spoilers for upcoming games, I won't have any other choice than to go on a semi-hiatus from the forums during the last pre-release months.
Overall, I am definitely more hyped for the games now. I still wish they had waited until next year with the release... but whatever! It will be fun to play through one of the games once they are out.
This was all I had time for today, will read through other posts and maybe post some more thoughts whenever I can find the time for it... hopefully tomorrow.