[Rant] Quantity VS Quality (Pokemon Spoilers) (Seriously) · 9:42pm Oct 19th, 2016
This image perfectly exemplifies my feelings about what I'm about to talk about. Oh, and seriously: if you don't want to be spoiled on Sun and Moon, don't read this. Still, I think this is an important topic to cover, so stick around if you'd like.
So, the full Alolan Pokedex has been leaked and people are... disappointed, to say the least.
There is a total of 82 new Mons for you to collect in Sun and Moon, excluding the Alolan forms and Ultra Beasts which bring the total up to 112. While certainly a lot more than the pitiful 72 Pokemon you could find in X and Y, 82 is still a lower number than Johto, which was 100. There are people okay with this and people who are furious about this, and I'm here just asking...
"Why, GameFreak? Legitimately why do you do this?"
One reason could be the fact Masuda has said that designing Pokemon is becoming a lot more difficult, and that's totally understandable. Another reason might be the fact the 3DS is reaching the end of its lifespan and we should be happy over 800+ Pokemon including Megas, Alolan forms and Ultra Beasts are even still on such a tiny card. Both valid reasons and more than likely true, but I have my own theory I would like to share with you.
What if GameFreak wants Quality over Quantity?
I've gone on record saying Generation 5 is my favorite Pokemon generation of all time, and I stay true to this fact! Some of my favorite Pokemon spawned from these games, like Samurott, Reuniclus, Vanilluxe, Excadrill, Leavanny and Zoroark. But other than those... can you really remember any others?
The starters were memorable, sure, but who here remembers Alomomola? Okay, how about Musharna? No? Well, yeah, Bouffalant was kind of forgettable, Escavalier was cool but only when you actually remembered Karrablast and Shelmet, I don't think I've seen a Basculin in 2 years, Druddigon is one of the most mediocre Dragon-type Pokemon ever, and there are WAY too many legendary Pokemon. There are other examples, but it would take a while and I don't want to waste even more of your time.
Generation 5 added exactly 156 new Pokemon to the table, the highest amount as of present time. But with so many Pokemon, did GameFreak really think all of us would remember all of them? The answer to that question is an immediate no. We recalled a few of our favorites and moved right along, leaving everything else in the dust.
And then Generation 6 happened. When it was revealed that Generation 6 gave us 72 new Pokemon to use, most people were heavily disappointed. But if I may be so inclined to ask, what Pokemon do you remember from X and Y?
Right off the top of my head, I can recall the kickass starters, Aegislash for being OP, Talonflame because Gale Wings, Florges for dat SP.D yo, Sylveon because of course it is, Noivern because fuck yeah, Tyrantrum, Aurorus, Heliolisk, Vivillon, Hawlucha, Espurr, Skiddo, Gourgeist, Trevenant, Klefki, Pyroar, Clawitzer, Dragalge, and SO many others.
But why is this? Why do I remember these Pokemon over the ones from Black and White? Well, that's simple: because all of them, in one way or another, are memorable and unique.
Be it fame from the incredible variety the Pokemon bring to the OU or Uber tier in the metagame, general cuteness or infamy from the many, many memes floating around on the internet based around them (I'm looking at you, Espurr and Vivillon), most of these Pokemon are remembered because of how unique they are. When we thought everyone would forget about the keychain Pokemon in a few days after X and Y's release, we were shocked to see it in the OU tier. When we hated on Froakie for being "ugly" or whatever, we were surprised to find that Greninja is now one of the most popular Pokemon in the world.
My belief is that GameFreak is making less Pokemon per generation so those Pokemon can get a lot more special treatment than the Pokemon released in previous generations. Already we have Sun and Moon memes making Gumshoos and Popplio fan-favorites, and I can only say good things about Mimikyu, Salandit, Wimpod, Mudsdale and the Alolan forms.
Obvious every generation has its stinkers. Aromatisse was a little forgettable and I'm not sure anyone will remember Morelull once Sun and Moon finally come out, but the fact remains that we'll remember most of the other Pokemon even when time passes over and cements this present into past's history.
Anyway, that's my rant for the day. Be sure to comment down below and tell me your thoughts!
I think that makes sense, honestly I'd be fine with even less Pokemon if it meant more memorable designs, and a more interesting story. (Which I do hope Sun and Moon will provide, and it seems to be going in that direction.)
Not complaining about Pokemon's narratives, it's just...in a nutshell, as I play more JRPGS, Pokemon's stories become less interesting. It's not that their bad, certainly not! It's just, well, I've seen stories like Xenogears and Final Fantasy IX, I really can't say Pokemon compares to either one narrative wise.
Again, not saying it has too, or that the stories are bad. And not saying Pokemon should go mature either, I think it's entirely possible to create a kid friendly game that has an amazing narrative. But ultimately, that's just my small nitpick, and it's a really minor one.
And wow I went off on my own little tangent XD.
That aside though, I see what your saying, and I agree as per usual man.
Yup! Also, with fewer new pokemon, that gives us more personality with them.
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Don't worry, that seems to be the direction GameFreak is going. Ultra Beasts? Mysterious assistants? The Aether Foundation which is totally not evil and is named after the type of air gods breathe and is the fifth element next to earth, air, water and fire?
It's no Persona, but it's something. Speaking of Persona, does this theme sound like a combination of Pokemon and Persona? I've been told it sounds like it, but having no prior knowledge of any Persona OST I wouldn't know.
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Exactly what I was thinking! Thanks!
I've never understood all the upset, I'm just happy to get a new game every time one comes out, and Sun and Moon are no different. And I much prefer quality to quantity. Don't count, just play you morons.
Those people annoy me.
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Oh I agree, this has the potential to be the BEST story Pokemon has had since Gen 5, and I am all for that. And honestly, I'm not expecting something with the character depth of Persona, or the elaborate plot of 999, but I think this could turn out amazing.
As for that song? It's catchy, and I am picking up a bit of "SMT" Energy and style as I like to call it.
See, each Persona game tends to have it's own musical style
3 leans towards a mix of j-pop, hip-hop, and Opera.
4 is pure J-pop
5 is J-pop mixed with a bit of Acid Jazz.
Meanwhile, Devil Survivor 2 (Another SMT game on DS, and a pretty damn good one, especially it's 3ds version, Record Breaker.) is more a mix of Classical music and Electric.
So really, each game has it's own style, which helps set it apart. But the best of the soundtracks they put out (I feel.) always have an unmistakable 'energy' to them, and I'm picking that up with the Skull Admin song. To give an example of what I'm talking about:
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They're mostly Genwunners, so therefore they can be completely ignored and the world will be a better place.
4262694 Aye, they'll shut up eventually.