SwSh About difficulty and art style of Sword/Shield

[Travis7]

I want to enjoy these new games but...
I do not know why but since Pokémon X / Y the graphic style of the games seems quite the same for me. Maybe it is the jump to 3D, but I just do not like it very much.
Also, since Pokémon X / Y the games have been adapted a lot to new players. Which is fine, but in my opinion they made it too easy. Increasing a lot of potions and free money, tutorials that babysit you like you never touched a game in your entire life... The dungeons are nonexistent and turn into straight roads. Lately pokemon games reminds me of a walk in the park or a sightseeing tour more than an actual adventure. I think that's why this last trailer did not give me a good feeling, because it reminds me too much of all that. Thoughts?

I get maybe im criticizing too much but its just the feeling i have about the new games.

 

[PurplePopplio]

There's a simple solution. Bring back difficulty options. Also, include a Nuzlocke mode for those who play them.

Maybe we'll see the difficulty options in Gen 8. Don't think so though.

 

[Silktree]

I agree, although I'd say that the overworld style changed between XY and SM, but not enough now. The excitement just isn't there for me because I don't sense a big change from the 3DS games. I didn't even have any specific expectations; I intentionally avoided speculating about these games too much.

It doesn't help that European regions just don't do it for me. I don't want to feel like a tourist admiring the view, but Game Freak seem to want just that. With Alola I didn't mind as much because I hadn't been to Hawaii (and probably never will), and the cutscenes were more about the characters than scenery porn.

As far as themes go, soccer and war are pretty low on my list.

 

[Cute Charm]

Personally, I'm still excited for the games. Tutorials or no. I just buttonmash past them. It's something I've gotten used to in recent gens. Then again I'm someone who is completely owned by the Pokemon company due to being an original participant in the Pokemon craze.

I'm kidding of course. But seriously, at least for me, the series low point was Gen III. I didn't get back into it until after Diamond and Pearl came out and right before Platinum. So I might as well be making up for lost time.

But, regardless of all that, it would be nice if they had a Beginner, Ace Trainer, and Veteran modes to the game.

Beginner: made for new players or original players' little kids. Unskipable tutorials everything is handholdy, you get free items after all the fights. Gym leaders and trainers have 1-3 pokemon at all times. Max level for trainers' pokemon in the game is 55.

Ace Trainer: For older new players and teens. Tutorials are optional. Only some fights give free items. Also is less handholdy. Trainers and gymleaders have 1-4 pokemon.

Veteran: For people who have been playing since Gen I. Absolutely no tutorials or free items other than what's on the ground. Free to do whatever you want within the boundries of the storyline. Levels of some trainers are raised by one or two levels to make it a little harder. Gym leaders and trainers all have 3-6 pokemon now.

 

[PinkIceFox]

But I want gym leaders to have 3-6 pokemon, light tutorials, and free items.

Also I think the art style is lovely. So much better than Let's go where every trainer, even Agatha, look like 6 year olds.

Though I would not mind dungeons to be a bit more than straight lines... as long as they're not all caves. I hate caves so much. Long treks through locations with constant encounter rates and being jumped every 6 steps makes me absolutely hate playing.

 

[Rocket Zigzagoon]

Sword and Shield could borrow the Black2/White2's difficulty system, with the hardest option giving all opposing Pokémon with perfect-IVs.

 

[Silktree]

with the hardest option giving all opposing Pokémon with perfect-IVs.

I'm pretty sure that B2W2 don't do that, and it would be just as cheap as inflated levels. Don't give the AI advantages the player is unlikely to have; focus on strategy.

 

[godiego]

the problem with difficulty in pokemon is that so much of it is attached to choices you make about your team. Game Freak wants the series to stay at a point where there is no such thing as like an "optimal" team; they want you to be able to use your faves and still have fun.

 

[Matleo]

Back to 2D? You are too spoiled. I only hope the pokes will avoid moves with style jumping left, right, up or in semiinvulnerable turn so that we see real avoiding of attack.

 

[Alola]

I don't see why they wouldn't introduce an Easy, Normal, and Challenge mode from the get-go; relying on another mechanic like "challenge keys" is archaic and unnecessary. If we don't get that, then I at least need Trainers with fuller parties and all Pokemon having a complete move-set. I don't understand why giving opponents 1-2 moves has become acceptable for Game Freak; Hau is an egregious example-that big fight at Ula Ula sees his Pokemon only know 2-3 moves each!

 

[Bolt Strike]

I'm not as bothered by the art direction. Yes, I do think it should've been more improved because of the jump to console, but it's not as if the SM artstyle really looked bad. What bothers me more is the map design, that has a lot more impact on the gameplay. The region still looks linear and the areas are still cramped corridors. There really should've been more openness and exploration shown off.

 

[Almonds]

The small change in art and graphics seems to be a good sign. At least it means they didn't have to spend time and resources on those too much. There's good chance they dedicated themselves more to story and system.

 

[El_]

The Pokemon Colosseum games had a good difficulty while focusing on strategies the A.I. could legally employ. I say have that as a good baseline for a harder difficulty, bc simply having higher levels is the lazy approach. Yes, please have teams with full movesets please, there is no reason why they shouldn't even on an "easy" difficulty.

Having certain items such as Evolite employed by opposing A.I. would also be a nice touch. Of course, this is why having the "Let's Go" series possibly alongside the main one is actually a good thing. Let that be for new entries, and let the style of the main series be more in depth.

 

[BlueWaves]

I don't see why they wouldn't introduce an Easy, Normal, and Challenge mode from the get-go; relying on another mechanic like "challenge keys" is archaic and unnecessary. If we don't get that, then I at least need Trainers with fuller parties and all Pokemon having a complete move-set. I don't understand why giving opponents 1-2 moves has become acceptable for Game Freak; Hau is an egregious example-that big fight at Ula Ula sees his Pokemon only know 2-3 moves each!

The reason we don't have those difficulties from the get go is because GF is afraid that a kid might drop it if they find it too difficult. Its the reason why the difficulty in BW2 was handled poorly, they wanted to ensure that little kids wouldn't stop playing the main game so no difficulty options.

I honestly don't see difficulty for that simple reason, and if it does, it'll be poorly done probably.

 

[Alola]

The reason we don't have those difficulties from the get go is because GF is afraid that a kid might drop it if they find it too difficult. Its the reason why the difficulty in BW2 was handled poorly, they wanted to ensure that little kids wouldn't stop playing the main game so no difficulty options.

I honestly don't see difficulty for that simple reason, and if it does, it'll be poorly done probably.

Your argument doesn't make sense to me. If a child cannot understand the difference between an explicit selection of "Easy," "Normal," and "Hard," that's not on the game or Game Freak-that's on the child and their reading comprehension (a necessary skill for the games, mind you) and they have no business playing.

Furthermore, Gens 1-4 are more difficult, and in some cases more obscure, as a whole than 5-7, yet the series did not end at any point prior. The targeted audience, children, were able to advance through and enjoy the series just fine. That's what's so glaring with current installments now.

 

[BlueWaves]

Your argument doesn't make sense to me. If a child cannot understand the difference between an explicit selection of "Easy," "Normal," and "Hard," that's not on the game or Game Freak-that's on the child and their reading comprehension (a necessary skill for the games, mind you) and they have no business playing.

Furthermore, Gens 1-4 are more difficult, and in some cases more obscure, as a whole than 5-7, yet the series did not end at any point prior. The targeted audience, children, were able to advance through and enjoy the series just fine. That's what's so glaring with current installments now.

My point is this: There are little to no options for increasing difficulty because they don’t want kids getting stuck and dropping the game.

 

[Alola]

My point is this: There are little to no options for increasing difficulty because they don’t want kids getting stuck and dropping the game.

That's assuming that children won't ask for help, look up help, trade for stronger Pokemon, or simply do a New Game and try again (with an easier difficulty).

You're talking about the same people who implemented the opponent that was Ultra Necrozma, mind you. I think the kids will be just fine.

 

[BlueWaves]

That's assuming that children won't ask for help, look up help, trade for stronger Pokemon, or simply do a New Game and try again (with an easier difficulty).

You're talking about the same people who implemented the opponent that was Ultra Necrozma, mind you. I think the kids will be just fine.

Perhaps those are options some kids, could do, but GF wants to ensure that all kids can progress the game, not just those kids who have resources like you’ve mentioned. Remember, Pokémon has a huge audience with different backgrounds, some of which may lack the internet or friends. Making it more difficult for those who lack those sources will Probably encourage a drop if they can’t beat it right away.

 

[Alola]

Perhaps those are options some kids, could do, but GF wants to ensure that all kids can progress the game, not just those kids who have resources like you’ve mentioned. Remember, Pokémon has a huge audience with different backgrounds, some of which may lack the internet or friends. Making it more difficult for those who lack those sources will Probably encourage a drop if they can’t beat it right away.

Of course-that's always in mind. However, I just have more faith in them it seems. All we're asking for, really, is smarter AIs, complete move-sets (no one said they have to be optimal), and a held item or two. I don't think that's going to cause a child to never play the game again, let alone not buy the next mainland game 3-4 years down the road (where they'll be older) should they lose a battle once and a while.

 

[godiego]

You're talking about the same people who implemented the opponent that was Ultra Necrozma, mind you. I think the kids will be just fine.

Ultra Necrozma is literally the poster child for why Pokemon can't get too hard though