In Defense of Gamefreak

Okay, yeah, I was sorta displeased with how Sword and Shield turned out, but let's be fair here, I get the feeling the game was rushed, and god knows what else went on in the development cycle we're not party to. Yeah, the game is a bit too thin in some aspects, but Gamefreak in the past has listened to critiques.

For example, let me go on a short list of problems addressed in the past. (Huge thanks to Tarbtano for inspiring this little list)

It was desired to re-battle folks outside the Elite Four. Check.
It was desired for Mythical Pokemon to become easier to get. Check.
Did people want Johto back in Gen 3? Check and double check.
People wanted trading to become easier. Check.
People wanted Raichu to get some love? It got some.
People wanted Go to tie into the main series? Yeah, got that.
People wanted a Gen 1 remake? We got that.
People wanted Following Pokemon? We got that in Heartgold and Soulsilver
People wanted online battles to be fairer? Check.
The online trading system to be less scarce? We can fix that, says Gamefreak!
People wanted Double Battles to be a bit more difficult after Firered and Leafgreen? Check.
More Mega Forms? Check.
Want to level up a whole team? Yep, fixed that.
No more Fire/fighting? Got that.

My point is, yeah, Sword and Shield was a bit of a speedbump in some regards, but regarding past history? Yeah, I think for the most part Gamefreak knows what they're doing.

Comments

[Scholarly-Cimmerian]

I don't know the exact context behind this, but I'm just happy to see someone being rational and fairminded. XD

[The Bricklayer]

5209018
Yeah, I'm so tired of the hatred and vitriol being tossed about. Yeah, Gamefreak screwed up, no doubt there, but as history seems to tell they take steps to fix things when asked.

[Jakub the Reshiram]

Agreed, though they could have added the National dex after becoming champion.
Let alone add some kind of safari zone to catch different Pokemon from different regions, have old gen legendaries be in the game as post game content, same with the mythical Pokemon and lastly have some sort of returning character in the post game like a league that consists of either old hen elite four members or past champions or rivals from the old games.

[The Bricklayer]

5209022
Yeah, I just get the feeling this game was rushed, if anything needs to change it's the whole 'game a year' model.

[Scholarly-Cimmerian]

5209021
Tell me about it. I'm sick and tired of being sick and tired, and all over what? Movies and video games? Stuff that's supposed to be fun? Stuff that's meant to entertain? Jesus, people...

[The Bricklayer]

5209027
I'm just done outraging over outraging. Gamefreak's a company in the end, and they do have to look at the bottom line and how to make money. Even if they don't do it in ways we like, and hell they're far from being EA or Bethesda.

[badninja]

I wish the Pokémon regions would copy the real world more often. We have had it mentioned that some species are invasive species and would like that to be a point of why you cannot transfer over some Pokémon. That would be a nice reason that you couldn't have certain Pokémon and get to know all new ones.

[The Bricklayer]

5209031
That would be interesting, at the very least. I mean, with the Ultra Beasts alone that would be a very good reason why Galar's so closed off.

[Tarbtano]

I can give you more if you'd like.

[The Bricklayer]

5209035
Oh, please do.

[Scholarly-Cimmerian]

5209030
Nicely said. At the end of the day, they are a business, and even if they may not be flawless, well, they're miles above EA and Bethesda. (Talk about the dumpster fires that just burn and burn...)

[Ze1a7in]

Despite Sword & Shield being considered a speed bump, They're still one of the best selling Pokemon titles in history. Like top 5 if not top 3. And yes, both versions count together for the list.

[The Bricklayer]

5209062
Yeah, though to be fair, and I quote from Tarbtano on this...

It's the first installment in a big game console that's been selling quite well, in a generation that Nintendo didn't release a handheld console, funneling both its handheld and home console groups together. SWSH didn't necessarily sell well because people love it more than any prior generation, people bought it because it's a new thing for a console they already owned.

[The Bricklayer]

5209037
And here's the thing about the Isle of Armor expansion, which I should have touched on. You don't even need to buy it, you can just trade in the Pokemon you need that come with the expansions.

[Scholarly-Cimmerian]

5209126
Oh. That is nice.

[The Bricklayer]

5209127
Yeah, all you'd get if you bought the expansions are a new location or two, and some new Pokemon. Well, okay one new Legendary.

[Scholarly-Cimmerian]

5209129
That's interesting. Well, good on them for not seeking to mine players' wallets!