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I've discussed this topic several times on other threads, so I think maybe it's worth its own topic.
So the last few generations have made some massive changes in terms of what kinds of extra content there is to do in the main games, and with Pokemon shifting to console and selling for $60, this topic becomes all the more important. Many of the GBA and DS era games had a lot lengthy sidequests such as Contests and Secret Bases, but those types of features have been dropped in recent games. Meanwhile, SwSh introduced Max Raid Battles, which feature recurring co-op battles against strong foes and are made more evergreen by having increased spawn events. So which of these should be kept? Which of these should be dropped or brought back? Is there anything new you'd like to see in terms of extra content?
Here are some of my thoughts:
-Max Raids (or some sort of equivalent) can stay, but they need to be improved upon. Evergreen content is good, but when it's just shallow, repetitive content like "battle this Pokemon over and over again", the fun doesn't last terribly long. Now Dynamax Adventures does seem to be building on these to some degree, and it remains to be seen how exactly it will build on the experience, but based on the screenshots it seems to be more geared towards "go through a gauntlet of Dynamax Pokemon to reach the end" which isn't quite what I had in mind. What I'd like to see is more along the lines of them expanding with more story/exploration, having recurring areas/dungeons similar to the Mirage Spots or story/trainer events and sidequests.
-On a related note, I'd like to see a formal sidequest system. They kind of had sidequests in USUM, but those sidequests were fairly minor and didn't have good rewards to provide incentive to complete them. I'd like something more along the lines of Ranger or BotW's sidequests. Sidequests should reward you with rare Pokemon or items (Pokemon with HAs, exclusive species, causing new species to spawn in the overworld, evolution items, items used for whatever burst gimmick they're currently pushing, TMs/TRs, etc.). The collectathon sidequests (Zygarde Cells, Totem Stickers, Alolan Digletts) could be retained as one of these sidequests.
-Amie/Refresh/Camp returns, but it is expanded on with Secret Base mechanics, allowing you to decorate your space with furniture and other fun things to share with friends.
-Contests, or some sort of equivalent, need to come back in some form, and work similarly to how they have in RSE/DPPt/ORAS.
-Either the Battle Frontier needs to come back or battle facilities need to be expanded with multiple modes that cover multiple different battle styles, such as bringing back Rotation, Triple, and Inverse Battles, coming up with new ones like in past Battle Frontiers, having a PWT/Wyndon type of tournament with gym leaders and other important characters. They could also potentially integrate the competitive scene more into this facility and have real life tournaments conducted through this facility.
I think all of those should be in every game, but I have some other ideas that they could potentially experiment with in several games that might be a little less necessary and could be kept exclusive to certain games:
-Another Safari Zone-esque capturing facility. The Safari Zone itself should stay dead, but some of the mechanics from past Safari Zones such as HGSS' customization or XY's Friend Safari would still add value. Some type of combination of those two features would really encourage more communication in the community.
-This could also work with the above idea, but having a battling facility that involves also catching Pokemon would be kind of fun. I had an idea for a battling facility where you catch Pokemon and battle with them in the facility and you can keep them if you win. Another idea would be to expand on what they did with the Motostoke Gym and have you compete with other trainers to catch Pokemon.
-Bring back the Trick House, maybe turn that into yet another battling facility. Perhaps they could give the facility a time limit, and you would have to defeat trainers to extend your time. I'd also really like the opportunity to design my own puzzles.
What are your thoughts and ideas?
So the last few generations have made some massive changes in terms of what kinds of extra content there is to do in the main games, and with Pokemon shifting to console and selling for $60, this topic becomes all the more important. Many of the GBA and DS era games had a lot lengthy sidequests such as Contests and Secret Bases, but those types of features have been dropped in recent games. Meanwhile, SwSh introduced Max Raid Battles, which feature recurring co-op battles against strong foes and are made more evergreen by having increased spawn events. So which of these should be kept? Which of these should be dropped or brought back? Is there anything new you'd like to see in terms of extra content?
Here are some of my thoughts:
-Max Raids (or some sort of equivalent) can stay, but they need to be improved upon. Evergreen content is good, but when it's just shallow, repetitive content like "battle this Pokemon over and over again", the fun doesn't last terribly long. Now Dynamax Adventures does seem to be building on these to some degree, and it remains to be seen how exactly it will build on the experience, but based on the screenshots it seems to be more geared towards "go through a gauntlet of Dynamax Pokemon to reach the end" which isn't quite what I had in mind. What I'd like to see is more along the lines of them expanding with more story/exploration, having recurring areas/dungeons similar to the Mirage Spots or story/trainer events and sidequests.
-On a related note, I'd like to see a formal sidequest system. They kind of had sidequests in USUM, but those sidequests were fairly minor and didn't have good rewards to provide incentive to complete them. I'd like something more along the lines of Ranger or BotW's sidequests. Sidequests should reward you with rare Pokemon or items (Pokemon with HAs, exclusive species, causing new species to spawn in the overworld, evolution items, items used for whatever burst gimmick they're currently pushing, TMs/TRs, etc.). The collectathon sidequests (Zygarde Cells, Totem Stickers, Alolan Digletts) could be retained as one of these sidequests.
-Amie/Refresh/Camp returns, but it is expanded on with Secret Base mechanics, allowing you to decorate your space with furniture and other fun things to share with friends.
-Contests, or some sort of equivalent, need to come back in some form, and work similarly to how they have in RSE/DPPt/ORAS.
-Either the Battle Frontier needs to come back or battle facilities need to be expanded with multiple modes that cover multiple different battle styles, such as bringing back Rotation, Triple, and Inverse Battles, coming up with new ones like in past Battle Frontiers, having a PWT/Wyndon type of tournament with gym leaders and other important characters. They could also potentially integrate the competitive scene more into this facility and have real life tournaments conducted through this facility.
I think all of those should be in every game, but I have some other ideas that they could potentially experiment with in several games that might be a little less necessary and could be kept exclusive to certain games:
-Another Safari Zone-esque capturing facility. The Safari Zone itself should stay dead, but some of the mechanics from past Safari Zones such as HGSS' customization or XY's Friend Safari would still add value. Some type of combination of those two features would really encourage more communication in the community.
-This could also work with the above idea, but having a battling facility that involves also catching Pokemon would be kind of fun. I had an idea for a battling facility where you catch Pokemon and battle with them in the facility and you can keep them if you win. Another idea would be to expand on what they did with the Motostoke Gym and have you compete with other trainers to catch Pokemon.
-Bring back the Trick House, maybe turn that into yet another battling facility. Perhaps they could give the facility a time limit, and you would have to defeat trainers to extend your time. I'd also really like the opportunity to design my own puzzles.
What are your thoughts and ideas?