Summary
Pokemonhas been widely experimental during the Nintendo Switch’s life cycle, with the mainline series making the jump to consoles at the same time it began implementing open-world maps, all while still experiencing the growing pains of 3D. Generations 8 and 9 have come and gone with plenty of pros and cons to both of them. Hopefully, Generation 10 ofPokemoncan carry on with the best of both worlds.
The next Nintendo console, still colloquially known as theNintendo Switch 2, is rumored to be on the horizon. The Switch era ofPokemongames has had many ups and downs with each release. Generation 10 could be the perfect opportunity to fix one recurring problem of its predecessors: map design.
How Pokemon Could Finally Fix its Open World Issue
Sword and Shield Are Riddled With Growing Pains
Sword and Shieldkicked off theNintendo Switch era ofPokemon, and brought the franchise into brand-new territory by being the first to introduce open world elements. Wild Areas function as multiple large sections of the map that are disconnected from one another, but are all meant to simulate an open world on a smaller scale.
Though each Wild Area was expansive, there wasn’t necessarily much to explore or collect within them other than the title’s titular monsters. Instead, the sections of the game with the most story embedded in them was still in its linear routes.Pokemon Sword and Shieldreceived heavy criticism for its graphics, especially within its Wild Areas.
However, the linear routes in these games rarely received such complaints, and in fact had some of the best looking environments in the series to date. This goes to show that the attention to detail allotted to linear areas is worth preserving in future games.
Scarlet and Violet’s Ups and Downs
Differing fromSword and Shield,Scarlet and Violettraded in Wild Areas for a full open world. This allowed for the open world to be filled with more content, though it was still somewhat lacking the polish or depth of exploration one would expect from other open worlds.
Notably, the open world inScarlet and Violetis lacking level scaling. This means that no matter how far the player progresses, wild Pokemon and opposing trainers alike remain at a static level throughout the game. This means that players could walk into a challenge they are completely unprepared for, or perhaps more likely, unintentionally over-level themselves and throw all sense of difficulty out of the window.
Most importantly, Generation 10 needs to be able to preserve a level of balance within its battles, and stakes in its story by extension. “Just add level scaling” is a bit too straightforward of a solution, one that had already seemed obvious inSword and Shield’s DLC. However, it isn’t the only option left.
Pokemon Generation 10 Needs to Learn from Generations 8 and 9
Sword and Shield’s Wild Areaswere an interesting experiment, and one that deserves revisiting. They allowed players to live the fantasy of exploring an expansive region brimming with all of their favorite Pokemon. However, the scale did not live up to the open world ofScarlet and Violet.Pokemoncould shed the biggest problems of both maps by combining the best aspects of both of them.
Rather than several Wild Areas, the game should again implement one connected open world. However, Game Freak should maintain linear routes within them like the Wild Area did, and use this to implement the game’s main story.Sword and Shieldhad a large linear map with more open segments inside of them, but Generation 10 could use a large open map with linear segments of gameplay.
Exploring and catching Pokemon could be done within the open region, butPokemon’s iconic Gym Leadersand other important battles or story beats could be restricted to linear areas with a more intentional design. This approach maintains the fantasy of adventuring through aPokemonregion, and the challenge ofPokemonbattles. Generation 10 could retain the scope ofScarlet and Violetwith a design cue fromSword and Shield, and offer players a more balanced experience than either of them.
With anew Generation ofPokemonon the way, a new approach could finally solve the franchise’s open world problem. While open worlds have their merits, routes are ingrained into the identity of the series, and present plenty of benefits on their own. Generation 8 and 9 didn’t fully perfect their experiments with map design, but Generation 10 can by learning from its predecessors' shortcomings and successes.
Pokemon Scarlet and Violet
WHERE TO PLAY
The school that you’ve enrolled in as you playPokémon ScarletandPokémon Violethosts a special independent study project. The theme of this assignment is “A Treasure Hunt.” Explore the world and seek out your very own treasure!Three stories will be woven into your adventure while traversing the sprawling Paldea region. Along Victory Road, you will go to Gyms in different locations in order to to achieve Champion Rank. On the Path of Legends, you can join Arven in search of rare ingredients. And in ★ Starfall Street ★, you’ll challenge Team Star, a group of delinquents causing trouble for the school.These stories are set in an open world, so where you go is all up to you. A world teeming with Pokémon and people to meet is waiting for you—traverse the Paldea region wherever you heart desires.
