See, I really like that the changes are subtle and their names aren't changed. They're not new evolutions - it's a lick of paint to make those old Pokémon new and exciting again.Take the new mega-evolutions for instance. I like the fact that they are trying to add new mechanics to the series, but they just look so uninspired and almost forced. They've just taken the original designs and added more flames and shit to them. They don't even have an original name; they just stuck "mega" in front of it.
Ultimately, Mega Evolutions seem to serve the same purpose as the different forms. They can have their cake and eat it - update old Pokémon without needing to create all new ones.
I'm not sure they do need to worry about backlash, really. Fans are valuable, but we're a small minority of buyers. These games sell millions. And we're the hardcore - we'll buy them even if we don't think the games are as good as our old favourites. The people they need to convince are the people who won't buy them if they look boring.They probably have the hardest fanbase in the world to please, seeing as their most vocal demographic is probably the smallest one; those that have been with the company since Gen III or earlier. They need new stuff to attract the kids in Japan and the rest of the world, but they also can't mess with the basics too much for fear of backlash from this minority audience (whose opinions are still very valuable I might add).
The biggest problem Gamefreak are facing with XY, I reckon, is the low 3DS sales so far. Hopefully the 2DS and special 3DS XLs will help turn around the console's fortunes.
Thing is, people have been predicting that the metagame will crash and burn in chaos since, oooh, gen 2? Yes, I remember the panic at the time as the metagame's focus shifted to chiefly physical types early on, not to mention the furore once we saw Wobbuffet in action.I have a feeling we're going to see a major change in the way Smogon teaches and tiers competitive pokemon, because right now, gamefreak have shown little to no support for it (by which I mean Smogon's standards, not VGC).
The thing about having so many Pokémon is, it makes it more difficult for a small handful of Pokémon to dominate. There are plenty of Pokémon who've been called broken. It won't stop communities like Smogon forming rules to bring more balance to the games. It was ever thus - think how long we've had evasion/accuracy bans in place, regardless of the fact that the games have continued to add more moves and things surrounding evasion and accuracy. The world keeps turning, the game keeps going.
That's what NEW fans are for.But the idea can only be sustained for so long until not just the original fans grow bored of it
I've been part of Pokémon fandom for around thirteen years now. Hardly any of my friends from back then are still around - and the ones I'm still in touch with just don't play. I remember when the new EV system came in with gen 3, we were livid. We thought it ruined the games, they'd have to change it back. But by now, most fans of the games got into them after the new system had been implemented. People don't even question it now - it's part of the established past.
That'll happen again. I was dubious of the physical/special split in gen 4, and I'm still not keen on the Dream World. But I'm just one voice, and in the long run, I'm not that important.
I watched it all when it arrived on terrestial telly in the UK, getting up early on Saturdays. Drifted away from it halfway through Johto, wandered back years later, still watching it now (quite behind, though).Am I the only person who didn't watch the pokemon anime until much later (sinnoh arc) yet still loves the old anime whereas I hate the new anime?
And I've got to say, although I'll always absolutely love those early seasons, Diamond & Pearl is just a vastly better show. Not sure if it's the quality of the translation, but it's funnier, wittier, more exciting and varied, better paced and much more solid and consistent. It doesn't have the same feeling of filler vs plot progression. It's bright and fun, and its characters are lovely. I miss Misty, sure, but Dawn gets to be a proper protagonist with her own feature adventure - her contests are like Ash's gym battles, and they're some of the best episodes. It's sweet and brilliant.
I'm not far into Black & White, but it's nowhere near as good. A lot of the wit is gone. Iris and Cilan are miles less interesting than Dawn and Brock - we've gone from having a comedy sidekick and a relatable protagonist to having a bland friend and a mildly antagonistic companion. Team Rocket have gone from ridiculous larger-than-life baddies with giant robots and ridiculous plans to shadowy figures - cool, for sure, but the series really feels the loss of the DP-era Rockets.
So, I reckon the show lost its way when it lost Brock, Dawn and comedy Team Rocket. I expect it'll find its way again down the line.
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