Kallyle
Starwalker Neo
- Joined
- Jun 9, 2014
- Messages
- 2,732
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Before we begin, I would like to say this: I wasn't sure whether to put this thread in the "Current Events: Pokémon Sword & Pokémon Shield" section or the "Pokémon Video Games" section, but I put it in the latter because this topic is something that deals more with the franchise as a whole rather than the upcoming games. If the mods feel differently, then you are free to move this thread to the appropriate section. Now that we've got that out of the way, let's get the the topic at hand.
As most of you are aware, Game Freak has been adamant about the fact that they've removed the National Pokédex from Sword and Shield. That is: the only Pokémon available and programmed into the games are the ones in the Galar Pokédex. This decision has been divisive among Pokémon's fanbase due to existence of Pokémon Bank and now Pokémon Home. One side gives Game Freak the benefit of a doubt, while the other side finds Game Freak's excuse to be a lackluster PR response that so far has little proof.
However, we aren't here to talk about whether or not Game Freak's decision was justified in their decision: there's already threads for that in the SwSh section of the forums. Instead, I'd like to discuss what Game Freak can now do without the restrictions of the National Pokédex holding them back, as I do think that it's removal can pave the way for certain scenarios that would have resulted in conflicting lore.
At this point, you're probably asking yourselves: "Kallyle, what are you even talking about? How can this benefit the franchise?"
Well, there are actually a few things that Game Freak can do in regards to the lack of a National Dex:
Anyways, I want to know your thoughts on this. What do you think Game Freak could do with the franchise that takes advantage of removing the National Pokédex, if anything? Would you be okay with any of the scenarios I've present, or would you do something different? Let's discuss!
As most of you are aware, Game Freak has been adamant about the fact that they've removed the National Pokédex from Sword and Shield. That is: the only Pokémon available and programmed into the games are the ones in the Galar Pokédex. This decision has been divisive among Pokémon's fanbase due to existence of Pokémon Bank and now Pokémon Home. One side gives Game Freak the benefit of a doubt, while the other side finds Game Freak's excuse to be a lackluster PR response that so far has little proof.
However, we aren't here to talk about whether or not Game Freak's decision was justified in their decision: there's already threads for that in the SwSh section of the forums. Instead, I'd like to discuss what Game Freak can now do without the restrictions of the National Pokédex holding them back, as I do think that it's removal can pave the way for certain scenarios that would have resulted in conflicting lore.
At this point, you're probably asking yourselves: "Kallyle, what are you even talking about? How can this benefit the franchise?"
Well, there are actually a few things that Game Freak can do in regards to the lack of a National Dex:
- Prequels taking place in the past: As pointed out by @Kyriaki, a prequel can justify sticking to a limited Pokédex since certain man-made Pokémon like Porygon, Castform, Mewtwo, etc. wouldn't have been created yet. Another point this would justify for only having a Regional Pokédex is that communications between regions and Pokémon importation would obviously be limited due to such things being harder in the past than in the present. In addition, certain new Pokémon could be available that can't be used in other games through the justification that they've gone extinct in the present or at least became endangered enough to the point where capturing/training those species has become illegal. Such details could help add a little more depth and world building to the Pokémon world we all know and love.
- The Worlds of Rainbow Rocket's Archie and/or Maxie: USUM gave us a post-game story where we fought evil team leaders who come from other worlds where they were actually successful and decided to work together to conquer even more worlds. While playing through most of those worlds wouldn't really offer a lot to players, the impact on the people and Pokémon the success of RR Archie and RR Maxie had brought would offer something new. The National Dex would have prevent us from looking into what new species came about from the changes to the world, as well as how existing Pokémon species would have adapted to such changes. After all, Game Freak would have to retcon the nature of their existence for future games afterwards in order to fit them into the National Pokédex, which they seem reluctant to do for any Pokémon these days.
While this would require some sort of time skip further from the point of Archie's and Maxie's successes (meaning they and other characters might not be around anymore), I think that the results themselves could make for some interesting new Pokémon and variants for players to catch and use. - A version of Kalos where AZ never fired the Ultimate Weapon: AZ's Ultimate Weapon caused a ton of casualties; no ifs, ands, or buts. It wouldn't surprise me if Kalos's lack of new Pokémon introduced in Gen 6 was due to AZ's actions causing a good number of Kalos natives to go extinct. Unless they bring these back in as fossil Pokémon, we'd never get to experience these Pokémon with the National Dex. However, now that Game Freak doesn't have to worry about it, a game about a version of Kalos where AZ never fired the Ultimate Weapon could be first (and possibly only) chance to experience playing with those species. Heck, maybe some of the souls in the Mega Stones come from said species, which could give Game Freak templates to work with in regards to new Pokémon design. Considering how much AZ's weapon impacted a good portion of Kalos's identity, I think a version of that region without it could give it a fair chance to shine.
- If Unova's Original Dragon Never Split into Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem: I'd like to know what would happen if the box mascos of the Unova games never split apart. How different would the region be? Would the species change, or would they stay the same? Reagardless, I'm not sure that having the National Dex still around would allow us to visit such a Unova due to the continuity issues the existence of Reshiram, Zekrom, and Kyurem would present (unless there's a second dragon of the same species that split up).
Anyways, I want to know your thoughts on this. What do you think Game Freak could do with the franchise that takes advantage of removing the National Pokédex, if anything? Would you be okay with any of the scenarios I've present, or would you do something different? Let's discuss!